GRADUATE TERM PAPER
Graduate students should demonstrate a higher level of expertise than
undergraduates
when taking a 300-level course because they receive graduate credit for
such
a course. To this end, graduate students enrolled in this course
are
required to write a term paper on an approved topic. Term papers
are
worth 100 points. The paper must be:
1. On any aspect of abnormal psychology that
interests
you, but must first be approved by me. Papers may take one of two
forms:
a research proposal or a review of research. A research proposal
outlines
an original empirical investigation and is partitioned into distinct
sections:
introduction (conceptual and empirical background), method, anticipated
results,
and discussion or implications. A review of research entails the
organization
and critique of theoretical, empirical, and/or practical literature on
a
particular topic; Clinical
Psychology Review, Journal of
Abnormal Psychology,
Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology, and Psychological
Bulletin
contain comprehensive literature reviews and contemporary empirical
investigations.
2. Based on published scientific literature (textbook
material,
"pop" psychology, and sources from the mass media are unacceptable
except
when used to cite the attention that a particular clinical phenomenon
is
receiving by the general public).
3. Between 15 and 20 pages in length and prepared
according
to the stylistic guidelines presented in the Publication Manual (American
Psychological Association, 2009). Papers must be typed,
double-spaced,
and contain appropriate citations and a reference list, otherwise they
will
not be evaluated. Accuracy, clarity, organization,
thoughtfulness,
and thoroughness are the dimensions on which term papers will be
evaluated.
I am available to consult with you at any stage of the process of
preparing
your term paper.