Before october 11: Send me the topic you intend to research. Include your intended bibliography and the application of your topic to developmental psychology .

The research paper is due OCTOBER 31st.

RESEARCH PAPER : Select an issue related to human development and the field of counseling. Select a topic from the list provided or one of your own choosing (with instructor approval). Keep in mind your future career interests and target group when selecting a topic. Research it using the Library and Internet (Professional Journals & Books only). You should include a minimum of eight print journal articles and four Internet sources. The research paper should follow the format of: Title, presentation of the issue, application of one or more human development theories, recommendations for counselors and references. More details regarding the research paper are attached. The paper should use the APA Manual of Style and be 10-15 pages (maximum) plus references. In the paper, be sure to use appropriate grammar & punctuation and PROOFREAD YOUR PAPER before submitting in the DISCUSSION SECTION.

Many of the topics could fit under different age groups, however, for the sake of this course, please apply the issues to the age group assigned. If a topic in which you are very interested is not listed, please talk to me. You may indicate your first three preferences during the third class, then topics will be assigned. See Web Links associated with text:

CHILDHOOD:

Effects of Gender Role Stereotyping; Effects of Physical Abuse &/or Neglect; Developing Self esteem in Children; Learning Disabilities & Attention Deficit Disorder; Effects of Divorce on Children; School Achievement
ADOLESCENCE :

Relationships with Parents, Substance Abuse; Teenage Pregnancy; Sexual Abuse/Incest; Adolescent Suicide; Eating Disorders; Gay/Lesbian Issues, Peer Relations or Friendship, Gangs.

YOUNG ADULTHOOD:

Intimacy, Love & Marriage; Parenting Skills Training; Sexually Transmitted Diseases & AIDS; Spouse Abuse & Family Violence; Effects of Disabilities on Work and Lifestyle.
MIDDLE ADULTHOOD: Divorce; Remarriage & Blended Families; Singlehood; Menopause; Men’s Issues at Mid L ife; “Sandwich” Generation Issues; Alcoholism; Poverty & Homelessness.
LATE ADULTHOOD:
Retirement; Widowhood & Bereavement; Assessing Dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease; Suicide in the Elderly; Hospice; Death & Dying Issues; Spirituality & Values

GUIDELINES FOR PAPER:
1. Target Group & Issue: Describe the target group and the issue you have selected (Examples: Elderly (65-75 year olds) dealing with retirement; teens (12 15 years old) coping with peer pressure; single mothers in poverty; moral decisions made by school age children; young adults choosing a mate; middle age adults facing divorce) Indicate why you and others (give statistics) think that this issue is important for this population.
2. Literature Review of Issue/Group: Review the research literature on this issue in a comprehensive manner. Based on themes that emerge from your literature review, focus on two or three areas in detail. (For example: You can find statistics regarding young adult women facing domestic violence, their decision making process regarding leaving the situation, and developmentally oriented programs to help them.) Use recent print journal articles and Internet sources with a minimum of 12 print sources & 6 Internet sources. Be sure that most of your sources are relatively recent (last 5 10 years). Internet sources should consist of research journals or agencies or programs (not opinions or popular sources). Research reviews will give you background on the relevant research. In citing the research, describe the type of research conducted as well as the findings. Report the scientific basis and describe what theoretical bases are involved in this issue or research study. (Example: Murray (1998) conducted a longitudinal study of 1200 adolescents (15 18 years of age) and found that higher achieving (B average) adolescents were less likely to smoke cigarettes on a regular basis than their lower achieving counterparts. Marcia’s (Text p.349) levels of identity were applied.) You may use one or two case studies to illustrate the issue. Write an integrative summary of your findings and your evaluation (contributions and limitations) of the findings.
3. Recommendations for Counselors: Based on your findings, describe how you would work in counseling or consulting with persons in this stage with the issue and describe one or more programs that have addressed this issue. How does the information you found apply to individuals with diverse backgrounds, in light of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, SES, abilities/disabilities or sexual orientation? Finally, make several recommendations that counselors can use in working with this population regarding this issue. What areas of future research would you recommend? Be sure that your discussion and recommendations are based solidly on reported results and research literature.
4. Format & References: Use the APA Manual of Style, 5th edition. Pay attention to gender and disability sensitive language. It is assumed that you will use proper grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. Present your ideas clearly and concisely. The paper should be 10 15 pages. Note: APA does not include abstract or bibliography in page count.

http://iponsel.com/ebook/using-microsoft-word-2007-for-apa-tasks/2008/09/25/ Use this website!
CCriteria for evaluating paper/presentation : Evaluation is based on quantity, thoroughness, emphasis on recent research, applications of theories, creativity and appropriateness of recommendations, reference. TWENTY FIVE PERCENT OF GRADE