Instructions:Sections 3006, 3007 and 3011

Spring, 2016

James T. Northrop, PhD
Spring, 2016
The course requires submission of one Semester paper, worth up to 50 points toward your final grade. It is due April 27, 2016. This paper is to be 6 double spaced pages of text, plus a title page and reference page–8 pages in all. In writing this research paper, you are to follow American Psychology Association (APA) rules of style for research papers (Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (6th ed., 2nd printing). There are several overviews of this document (e.g., https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/) , or you may access the APA document through the CSN library. There will be a title page at the very front of the paper which is not counted as part of the 8 pages. This is the format for the title page…just provide your information (not in parentheses on YOUR paper) !!!
(Title of chosen topic from list)
(Your Name)
College of Southern Nevada
Psychology 101 (section number)
You must cite a minimum of eight (8) pertinent, research articles or summaries of research articles, or texts, in your paper. You may also quote research authors, and cite such in the text. You will use these citations to support your chosen position. These citations must be in APA format. There will be a reference page(s) at the end which lists (in APA format) the 8 sources of any citations and quotes you have used in your paper. References with no author are not acceptable. This reference page does not count as one of the 8 pages. . The paper may submitted to the instructor as a hard (paper) copy stapled with title page on top, reference page and (if used) Writing Center form at bottom/last page. If, at any time you have questions regarding the topic, or preparation of the paper, contact the instructor via e mail—in this manner, there is a record of my reply for your future reference (and mine)..
The topics are designed to challenge your research and reasoning skills. You may not submit research papers on other topics and may not alter the topics provided. My personal research in these specific topics, will allow me to properly and fairly grade your papers. These have been selected as they represent significant issues in psychology and society. Your instructor takes no position on any of the topics/issues. You are asked to present a convincing, research based, argument supporting or rejecting the topic statement you selected. There is no “right” answer…there is only your use of research evidence (which you cite) to support your position!
This is not an “opinion” paper. It is written only in the “third person”. If you are unfamiliar with this aspect of grammar, I offer the following:
DO NOT USE THESE FORMS IN YOUR PAPER:
First person includes the personal pronouns “I,” “me’, “we” “us,”; possessive forms “my,” “mine,” “your(s),” and “our(s);” second person uses “you,” , the possessives “your(s)”.
USE ONLY THESE FORMS IN YOUR PAPER:
Third person, pronouns such as “she,” “he,” “it,” “they,” and “them,” and possessives “his,” “hers,” “its,” “their(s).”
There is a very valuable resource to help guide you in assembling this paper. Please utilize the “Writing Center” in writing your paper. To begin this project, you should briefly research the topic and construct an outline to guide your writing. As encouragement, I will award 5 extra points if you review your paper outline with the Writing Center and have them stamp the Writing Center form in the “Outline” section of your form, on or before February 29, 2016 No points will be given for unstamped or late papers. You should prepare a “draft” paper which may not be in its final form, but would give the reader the clear idea of your position and citations. I will give an additional 5 extra points for the Writing Center review of the draft of your paper, of no less than 5 double spaced pages (yes the final paper is to be at least 8 pages in length), as documented by the date stamping of the Writing Center form, in the “Draft” section of the form, by the Writing Center, no later than March 31, 2016. The reference page must be in APA format. I will give an additional 2 extra points for Writing Center review of an APA compliant, reference page, and date stamped by the Writing Center in the “Reference” section of the Writing Center form, no later than March 31, 2016. That’s 12 bonus points for using the Writing Center!!! No points will be given for unstamped reviews. No points are given if a final paper is not submitted. Please check out the Writing Center site (see below). The form to be used for your timely assistance from the Writing Center is posted in Canvas Modules with this document (“Writing Center Document”). Print out the document and take it to the Writing Center to be stamped for each section. Attach the completed, stamped form to your paper when you submit it.
www.csn.edu/writingcenter
You are asked to locate, read and interpret actual research which supports YOUR position on the topic. This is an exercise in critical thinking. Through your writing, you can make a difference!!! I encourage you to review the section on “Critical Thinking” from your text. This is your opportunity to take a position and defend it. I wish you the best.

Semester papers are due April 27, 2016. No late papers will be accepted, without an excuse from the local coroner.

This is a research paper. You must cite real data (numbers, percentages, statistics) to support your position. This is not an opinion or “rant” paper. You must prove your position. Most points are lost because of the lack of data!!!

You may choose any one of the following topics for your research paper:

1. Explain the harmful effects of divorce on children and
and analyze and discuss/describe programs to address these factors. Do not
focus on stopping or preventing divorce. (There are mountains of data and
research on this topic! Be careful and sort out the real latest findings! Be sure
to include data to prove such programs have an impact )
2. Propose a program to reduce national gun violence.
Be sure to analyze forms of gun control and actual data
regarding gun violence from various countries or states. Be careful. Look at a
variety of sources for data. Try to avoid organizations which are for or against
gun control issues. Look at sources of independent, governmental data and
university research data. (Lots of opinions, mixed data and interpretations…a
great intellectual challenge! Want to become a critical thinker? This one is for
you)
3. Describe in detail, three self management programs you might use to decrease
or increase some personal behavior. You must use reinforcement theory only.
You must select at least three personal behaviors and at least one self
management program for each personal behavior for this topic. You must
analyze each behavior and the proposed self-management program, citing
research evidence for effectiveness, drawbacks and advantages. The personal
behaviors need not be your own. (Despite the length of this description, this is
one of the more readily researched topics. This question may personalize your
research and writing.)
4. Analyze the impact of legalization of marijuana. Include biological,
intellectual, developmental social, societal, criminal, and economic
impacts. (Lots of opinions, mixed data, good amount
of research…another excellent intellectual challenge!!!)
5. Discuss, analyze and compare the impacts of same sex marriages and
traditional, opposite sex marriages on the family, children,
society and economy and conclude whether or not it should be legalized. Do
not focus solely on religious beliefs–these are important, but look at real data
for your analysis. (Lots of opinions, religious considerations, legal issues in
some states/countries, strongly divided research data. Aside from your personal
opinion this is an interesting topic for study).
6. Discuss the impact of illegal immigration on our society, and propose a
detailed program to address it. . Include social/criminal, personal, economic
factors. (A rising issue in America as it relates to many political issues…will
require your interpretation of several areas of research…should be a healthy
challenge for you).
7. Discuss the effectiveness of incarceration for crimes. Propose alternatives to
incarceration or supplementation of incarceration which may reduce crimes.
You should break out types of crimes into two or three categories. Include,
personal, societal, economic and crime data in your analysis

Documentation of Writing Center Assistance and Review of Semester Paper
(Print out, provide to Writing Center staff for stamp and dating of each element; submit this completed form with final paper, for additional points which are added to your final paper)
Note. Extra points, provided for attending the Writing Center, may be credited, only if the student submits a final paper.
Student Name:______________________________