Each student will write a major paper on some current issue in psychology. The student should find a “psychology” story in the popular media (e.g., CNN.com, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, Psychology Today, LiveScience.com, The Washington Post). Note that it is not required that this be a “credible” or trusted outlet. As long as it is from the popular press and about findings of a psychology study, it’s fair game. Students will reproduce (i.e., print or copy) the story, summarize it, and critically analyze it. Then students will obtain the research report upon which the media story was based and summarize and critically analyze this original research report. Finally, the student will compare and contrast the two sources. The paper will be submitted in stages (see the course schedule at the end of this syllabus). First, you will turn in copies of your chosen media report and research article – this will be a graded assignment included in the assignment grade described above. If the article and report are unacceptable, appropriate sources must be identified and approved before the first section of the paper will be accepted. Next, you will submit the first section of the paper (summary and critical evaluation of the paper, worth up to 13 points), the second section of the paper (summary and critical evaluation of the original research report, worth up to 24 points), and the third section of the paper (comparison of the two sources, worth up to 13 points). Content and writing – quality/mechanics (e.g., flow, organization, grammar, editing) and use of APA style (see grading information on separate handout) – will be assessed. Taken together, then, the drafts of the paper will be worth 50 points. Finally, you will revise your paper based on the feedback you receive and will submit a final draft of the paper, worth a possible 50 points. The drafts and final paper will, therefore, count 100 points toward your final grade. Errors in the final papers that are repeated after receiving feedback on drafts will be penalized more harshly than they were in the drafts. See the separate handout outlining the requirements for this paper in detail.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]