1. Research Paper 75 points (See Grading Rubric Below) The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with an opportunity to move from beyond basic mastery of developmental aspects of behavior to a more advanced integrative knowledge of the ways in which development is a constant interplay of affective, biological, cognitive, social, and other aspects of behaviors. For this paper you are asked to select a topic or issue in developmental psychology that you would like to learn more about. After reviewing a minimum of 12 peer-reviewed journal articles and/or scholarly books, you will write a paper that outlines your topic and explains its relevance to developmental psychology. In your review of the literature make sure that you address two or more aspects of behavior (affective, biological, cognitive, social, etc.) related to your developmental issue. You must also include a discussion of cultural considerations and how aspects of individual and cultural diversity may impact your topic. Your paper should be 10-12 pages long, not including Title Page and References. Below is a sample outline for your paper. I. Abstract II. Introduction a. Provide a brief overview of your topic or issue. b. Explain why you chose this topic and its relevance to human development. III. Review and Integration of the Literature IV. Further Directions for Prevention, Treatment, and/or Research V. References Research Paper Rubric A (67-75 points) B (60-66 points) C (52-59 points) D or below (< 52 points) Integration of The paper Author for the The author has The paper does Knowledge demonstrates that most part a limited not the author fully understands the understanding demonstrate understands and has concepts found of the research. that the author applied concepts in research Struggled to has fully found in research. materials and apply or understood the Research and has applied the integrate the topic. The concepts are concepts concepts and concepts were integrated in studied. Some topics studied. not accurately author’s own words. of the applied or The writer provides conclusions, synthesized. concluding remarks however, are that show insight, not supported analysis, and in the body of synthesis of ideas. the paper. Topic Focus The topic is focused The topic is The topic is too The topic is not narrowly enough for focused but broad for the clearly defined. the scope of the lacks direction. scope of this assignment. A assignment. thesis statement provides direction for the paper. Depth of In-depth discussion In-depth The writer has Cursory Discussion and elaboration in discussion and omitted discussion in all sections of the elaboration in pertinent all sections of paper. most sections content or the paper or of the paper. content runs-on brief excessively. discussion in Quotations only a few from others sections. outweigh the writer’s own ideas excessively. Cohesiveness Ties together For t ...

1. 1. Research Paper 75 points (See Grading Rubric Below)
The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with an
opportunity to move from beyond basic mastery of
developmental aspects of behavior to a more advanced
integrative knowledge of the ways in which development is a
constant interplay of affective, biological, cognitive, social, and
other aspects of behaviors. For this paper you are asked to
select a topic or issue in developmental psychology that you
would like to learn more about. After reviewing a minimum of
12 peer-reviewed journal articles and/or scholarly books, you
will write a paper that outlines your topic and explains its
relevance to developmental psychology. In your review of the
literature make sure that you address two or more aspects of
behavior (affective, biological, cognitive, social, etc.) related to
your developmental issue. You must also include a discussion of
cultural considerations and how aspects of individual and
cultural diversity may impact your topic. Your paper should be
10-12 pages long, not including Title Page and References.
Below is a sample outline for your paper.
I. Abstract
II. Introduction
a. Provide a brief overview of your topic or issue.
b. Explain why you chose this topic and its relevance to human
development.
III. Review and Integration of the Literature
IV. Further Directions for Prevention, Treatment, and/or
Research
V. References
Research Paper Rubric

2. A (67-75 points)
B (60-66
points)
C (52-59
points)
D or below (< 52 points)
Integration of
The paper
Author for the
The author has
The paper does
Knowledge
demonstrates that
most part
a limited
not
the author fully
understands the
understanding
demonstrate
understands and has
concepts found
of the research.
that the author
applied concepts
in research
Struggled to
has fully
found in research.
materials and

3. apply or
understood the
Research and
has applied the
integrate the
topic. The
concepts are
concepts
concepts and
concepts were
integrated in
studied. Some
topics studied.
not accurately
author’s own words.
of the
applied or
The writer provides
conclusions,
synthesized.
concluding remarks
however, are
that show insight,
not supported

4. analysis, and
in the body of
synthesis of ideas.
the paper.
Topic Focus
The topic is focused
The topic is
The topic is too
The topic is not
narrowly enough for
focused but
broad for the
clearly defined.
the scope of the
lacks direction.
scope of this
assignment. A
assignment.
thesis statement

5. provides direction
for the paper.
Depth of
In-depth discussion
In-depth
The writer has
Cursory
Discussion
and elaboration in
discussion and
omitted
discussion in
all sections of the
elaboration in
pertinent
all sections of
paper.
most sections
content or
the paper or
of the paper.
content runs-on
brief

6. excessively.
discussion in
Quotations
only a few
from others
sections.
outweigh the
writer’s own
ideas
excessively.
Cohesiveness
Ties together

7. For the most
Sometimes ties
Does not tie
information from all
part, ties
together
together
sources. Paper
together
information
information.
flows from one
information
from all
Paper does not
issue to the next
from all
sources. Paper
flow and seems
without the need for
sources. Paper
does not flow.
to be created
extra headings. Writing demonstrates an understanding of the
relationship among material obtained from all sources.
flows with only some disjointedness. Writing demonstrates an
understanding of the relationship among material obtained from
all sources.
Writing does not demonstrate an understanding of the
relationship among material obtained from sources.

8. from disparate issues.
Writing does not demonstrate understanding of any
relationships among sources.
Spelling & Grammar
No spelling or grammar mistakes.
Minimal mistakes.
Several mistakes.
Unacceptable
number of mistakes.
Sources
Twelve or more sources from peer- reviewed journal articles or
scholarly books. Sources include both general background
sources and specialized sources. Special interest sources and
popular literature are acknowledged as such if they are used. All
web sites utilized are
authoritative.
Twelve sources from peer- reviewed journal articles or
scholarly books. All websites used are authoritative.
Fewer than 12 sources from peer-reviewed journal articles or
scholarly books.
Websites are credible but not authoritative.
Fewer than 12 sources.
Sources are not scholarly, credible or current.
Citations
Cites all data obtained from other sources. APA citation style is
used in both text and references.
Cites most data obtained from other sources. APA citation style
is used.
Cites some data obtained from other sources.
Citation style is either inconsistent or
incorrect.
Does not cite sources.