The document outlines requirements for a research paper focusing on a chosen case study related to reproductive choices within the field of human sexuality. It emphasizes the integration of psychological theories, scholarly research, and ethical considerations in discussing concepts like contraception and abortion. The paper must adhere to APA formatting guidelines and require a minimum of two scholarly sources, structured logically to support a central idea.

1. Develop a 3–4 page research paper based on a selected case
study related to reproductive choices. Since the processes of
reproduction and birth represent one of the potential biological
outcomes of heterosexual activity, it is important to examine the
biological foundations of human sexuality. This includes
knowledge of fertilization and early development, including
some of the most recent findings. There is more than a litany of
birth control methods; this assessment offers a sound basis for
understanding the issues to be weighed in personal decision
making about contraception and abortion, which continue to
generate debate and controversy.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will
demonstrate your proficiency in the following course
competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 1: Apply psychological theories to topics in human
sexuality.
Apply psychological theories to a case study in human
sexuality.
Competency 2: Apply scholarly research findings to topics in
human sexuality.
Apply scholarly research findings to a case study in human
sexuality.

2. Competency 3: Explain how ethics inform professional behavior
in the field of human sexuality.
Explain how ethics inform professional behavior in the field of
human sexuality.
Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly,
professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals
in the field of psychology.
Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar,
usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.
Use APA format and style.
APA Resources
Because this is a psychology course, you need to format this
assessment according to APA guidelines. Additional resources
about APA can be found in the Research Resources in the left
navigation menu of your courseroom. Use the resources to guide
your work as needed.
American Psychological Association. (2010).
Publication manual of the American Psychological Association
(6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Available from the

3. bookstore
.
APA Paper Template [DOCX]
.
Required Resources
The following resource is required to complete the assessment.
Human Sexuality Case Studies: Sexuality Confronts Social
Policy
|
Transcript
.
Suggested Resources
The resources provided here are optional and support the
assessment. They provide helpful information about the topics.
You may use other resources of your choice to prepare for this
assessment; however, you will need to ensure that they are
appropriate, credible, and valid. The
PSYC-FP2800 – Introduction to Human Sexuality Library Guide
can help direct your research. The Supplemental Resources and
Research Resources, both linked from the left navigation menu
in your courseroom, provide additional resources to help
support you.
Human Sexuality and Reproductive Choices
Kelly, G. F. (2015).

4. Sexuality today
(11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Available from the
bookstore
.
Chapter 10, "Reproduction, Reproductive Technology, and
Birthing," pages 250–280.
Chapter 11, "Decision Making About Pregnancy and
Parenthood," pages 281–313.
Examples of Applied Research Related to Reproduction
These resources provide examples of current research on the
topic of reproduction.
Myers, E. R. (2015).
Repeated in vitro fertilization cycles for infertility.
JAMA, 314
(24), 2627–2629.
Griesemer, J. (2016).
Reproduction in complex life cycles: Toward a developmental
reaction norms perspective.
Philosophy of Science, 83
(5), 803–815.

5. Dean, E. (2017).
Contraception.
Primary Health Care (2014+), 27
(1), 10.
Swigger, N. (2016).
Sexual responsibility and the politics of abortion and
contraception.
Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 13
(3), 263–275.
Ethics
Use this resource to examine the ethical standards that guide
professional behavior as they relate to the issues and concepts
identified in the human sexuality case study you select for your
assessment.
American Psychological Association. (2017).
Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.
Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx
Assessment Instructions:
Develop a light research paper based on case studies provided
in the
Human Sexuality Case Studies: Sexuality Confronts Social
Policy
interactive media piece (linked in the Resources under the
Required Resources heading). Read the case studies and select

6. one on which to base your paper. Try to choose the case study
that you feel best applies to the requirements for your paper,
which are provided in the instructions below.
Use your selected scenario to write a 3–4 page paper in which
you complete the following:
Identify and describe a concept (or concepts) and the general
perspective or approach to human sexuality that the concept
falls under (such as gender theories, instinct theory,
psychodynamic, or developmental) using correct terminology
from the course. If the concept or perspective is closely
associated with the writings of a particular theorist (such as
Freud, Kinsey, Masters and Johnson, and so on), then provide
that information. Explain how the concept fits the case study.
Select a minimum of two scholarly sources that support your
explanation of how the concept fits the case study. Connect
what you have learned in your research by integrating and
combining information from your source articles with the case
study.
Examine and explain how ethical standards guide professional
behavior as they relate to the issues and concepts identified in
the selected human sexuality case study. You must state the
specific ethical standard that relates to the topic or issue
highlighted in the case study and explain how this ethical
standard guides professional behavior.
Note:
Do not restate the case study within your paper; you should
only identify and refer to the selected case study as needed to
illustrate your points.

7. Your paper should follow a logical structure and be evidence
based. Use the MEAL plan to help guide the organization of
your paper.
Main Idea:
Present the main point or idea that you are making about your
chosen concept related to reproduction, contraception, and
abortion.
Evidence:
What does the research say? Support your statements with
evidence from the literature.
Application:
Summarize the main ideas from articles related to your chosen
case study. Apply concepts that relate directly or indirectly to
your main point. Make explicit links between source articles
and your paper.
Link:
Integrate and combine information from your source articles
with your main point or idea.
Conduct independent research for resources and references to
support your paper. Provide a reference list and in-text
citations, in APA format, for all of your resources. You may
cite texts and authors from the suggested resources as well as
any additional reputable resources you find on your own.
If you wish, you may use the APA Paper Template (linked in
the Resources under the APA Resources heading) to complete
your paper. In addition, you are urged to use the resources in
Capella University's Writing Center to help you develop clear
and effective writing. In the Writing Center, you will be able to

8. receive feedback on your writing, use writing resources,
discover new writing strategies, and explore different ways to
draft, revise, edit, and proofread your own work.
Additional Requirements
Written Communication:
Ensure that your writing is free of errors that detract from the
overall message.
APA Formatting:
Format resources and in-text citations according to current
APA style.
Number of Resources:
Use a minimum of two scholarly resources.
Length:
The research paper should be 3–4 pages in content length.
Include a separate title page and a separate references page.
Font and Font Size:
Times New Roman, 12 point, double-spaced. Use Microsoft
Word.