The document outlines the guidelines for a final research paper for a psychology course, focusing on designing a study that addresses limitations identified in a previous assignment. It specifies requirements such as a six to eight-page length, APA formatting, and the use of at least six recent peer-reviewed sources. Key components to include in the paper are the introduction, literature review, methods section, and conclusion, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in research.

1. UOP PSY 326 Week 5 Final Paper (Social identity reduces
depression by fostering positive attributions) NEW
Check this A+ tutorial guideline at
http://www.assignmentcloud.com/psy-326-uop/psy-
326-week-5-final-paper-new
For more classes visit
http://www.assignmentcloud.com
Week 5
Review the Example Research Proposal provided in the course
materials. Design a research study on the topic of the study
selected in Week One and critiqued in Week Three. Your design
should seek to resolve the limitations you identified in the
study you critiqued. Your paper must address all of the
components required in the “Methods” section of a research
proposal:
• State the research question and/or hypothesis.
• Specify the approach (qualitative or quantitative), research
design, sampling strategy, data collection procedures, and data
analysis techniques to be used.
• If the design is quantitative, also describe the variables,
measures, and statistical tests you would use.
• Analyze ethical issues that may arise and explain how you
would handle these issues.
Your Final Paper must be six to eight pages in length (excluding
title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style
as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Utilize a minimum of
six peer-reviewed sources that were published within the last

2. 10 years, in addition to the textbook, that are documented in
APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. The
sources should consist of the following:
• One source should be the article you critiqued in the Week
Three assignment.
• At least two sources should be about the research
methodology you have chosen for your study.
• At least one source should be on ethical issues in research.
• The remaining sources may be about anything pertinent to
your study.
In accordance with APA style, all references listed must be cited
in the body of the paper.
Required Sections and Subsections (use these headings in your
paper)
I. Introduction – Introduce the research topic, explain why it is
important, and present your research question and/or
hypothesis.
II. Literature Review – Summarize the current state of
knowledge on your topic, making reference to the findings of
previous research studies (including the one you critiqued in
Week Three). Briefly analyze and critique these studies and
mention the research methods that have previously been used
to study the topic. State whether your proposed study is a
replication of a previous study or a new approach using
methods that have not been used before. Be sure to properly
cite all of your sources in APA style.
III. Methods
A. Design – Indicate whether your proposed study is qualitative
or quantitative in approach. Identify the specific research
design, using one of the designs we have studied in Weeks
Three through Five, and indicate whether it is experimental or
non-experimental. Evaluate your chosen design and explain
why you believe this design is appropriate for the topic and
how it will provide the information you need to answer the

3. research question. Cite sources on research methodology to
support your choices.
B. Participants – Identify and describe the sampling strategy
you would use to recruit participants for your study. Estimate
the number of participants you would need and explain why
your sampling method is appropriate for your research design
and approach.
C. Procedure/Measures – Apply the scientific method by
describing the steps you would use in carrying out your study.
Indicate whether you will use any kind of test, questionnaire, or
measurement instrument. If using an existing published
instrument, provide a brief description and cite your source. If
you are creating a questionnaire, survey, or test, describe the
types of information you will gather and explain how you
would establish the validity and reliability. If you are not using
such an instrument, describe how you would collect the data.
D. Data Analysis – Describe the statistical techniques (if
quantitative) or the analysis procedure (if qualitative) you plan
to use to analyze the data. Cite at least one source on the chosen
analysis technique (from your Week Two assignment).
E. Ethical Issues – Analyze the impact of ethical concerns on
your proposed study, such as confidentiality, deception,
informed consent, potential harm to participants, conflict of
interest, IRB approval, etc. After analyzing the ethical issues
that apply to your research proposal, indicate what you would
do to handle these concerns.
IV. Conclusion – Briefly summarize the major points from your
paper and reiterate why your proposed study is needed.
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
• Must be six to eight double-spaced pages in length, and
formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford
Writing Center.
• Must include a title page with the following:

4. • Title of paper
• Student’s name
• Course name and number
• Instructor’s name
• Date submitted
• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct
thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
• Must use at least six peer-reviewed sources that were
published within the last 10 years, in addition to the textbook.
• Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a separate reference page, formatted according
to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.