Final Paper Guideline
PSYC3220
Prof. Kim
I. General Description
Each student will choose one topic to research and become an expert on that area.
The instructor will present some suggested areas, however, if you find yourself
drawn to something else of interest, consideration will be given following
discussion with instructor.
The suggested topics are as follows:
• Sociocultural perspectives on cognitive development
• Comparison of different theories on cognitive development
• Infant perception and cognition
• The development of representation: Thinking in symbols
• The development of folk knowledge in children
• The development of executive function, strategies, and problem solving
skills
• Memory development in children
• Language development in children
• The development of social cognition
The purpose of the assignment is for students to explore the dynamics, traditions,
and values that may be found within prospective topic. Students should seek to
approach the assignment with respect and openness, and should endeavor to find
quality, unbiased sources of information. Each student should decide what to
write under the suggested topics.
Students should consult and cite at least 3-5 references: at least one of these
sources should be a journal and/or empirically validated study on chosen topic. If
a minimum of 3 references is consulted, no more than one may be an Internet
resource (Please do not use Wikipedia). All sources must be cited in APA
format.
The paper should be at least 8 pages including all the components of the APA
style paper with cover page, abstract, and references (double-spaced typed in 12
point standard font) and submitted on the due date assigned. The paper should
be in APA format and must include APA approved works cited. Late
submission will be penalized 1 point for each day of lateness.
A hard copy of your final project is due in class on Monday, May 13. I will not accept
a paper via email or postal mail. If you need additional assistance with writing, make an
appointment with the Brooklyn College Learning Center, telephone: (718) 951-5821,
located at 1300 Boylan Hall.
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Final Paper Guideline
PSYC3220
Prof. Kim
II. General Document Guidelines
1. Margins: One inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, right)
2. Font Size and Type: 12-pt. Times New Roman font
3. Line Spacing: Double-space throughout the paper, including the title page,
abstract, body of the document, references, appendixes, footnotes, tables, and figures.
4. Spacing after Punctuation: Space once after commas, colons, and semicolons
within sentences. Insert two spaces after punctuation marks that end sentences.
5. Alignment: Flush left (creating uneven right margin)
6. Paragraph Indentation: 5-7 spaces
7. Pagination: The page number appears one inch from the right edge of the paper
on the first line of every page, beginning with the title page
8. Running Head: The running head is a short title that appears at the top of the
pages of a paper or published article. The running head is typed flush left (all
uppercase) at the top of all pages (including the title page). The running head should
not exceed 50 characters, including punctuation and spacing. Using most word
processors, the running head and page number can be inserted into a header, which
then automatically appears on all pages.
9. Order of Pages: Title Page, Abstract, Body, References
A. Title Page
a. Pagination: The Title Page is page 1.
b. Running Head: The running head is typed flush left (all uppercase) following
“Running head:”
c. Key Elements: Paper title, author(s), institutional affiliation(s).
d. Paper Title: Uppercase and lowercase letters, centered on the page.
e. Author(s): Uppercase and lowercase letters, centered on the line following the
title.
f. Institutional affiliation: Uppercase and lowercase letters, centered on the line
following the author(s).
B. Abstract: The abstract is a one-paragraph, self-contained summary of the most
important elements of the paper.
a. Pagination: The abstract begins on a new page (page 2).
b. Heading: “Abstract” (centered on the first line below the running head)
c. Format: The abstract (in block format) begins on the line following the Abstract
heading. The abstract word limit is set by individual journals. Typically, the word
limit is between 150 and 250 words. All numbers in the abstract (except those
beginning a sentence) should be typed as digits rather than words.
C. Body
a. Pagination: The body of the paper begins on a new page (page 3). Subsections of
the body of the paper do not begin on new pages.
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Final Paper Guideline
PSYC3220
Prof. Kim
b. Title: The title of the paper (in uppercase and lowercase letters) is centered on the
first line below the running head.
c. Introduction: The introduction (which is not labeled) begins on the line following
the paper title.
d. Headings: Five levels of headings are available to be used to organize the paper
and reflect the relative importance of sections. For example, many empirical research
articles utilize two levels of headings: Main headings (such as Method, Results,
Discussion, References) would use Level 1 (centered, boldface, uppercase and
lowercase letters), and subheadings (such as Participants, Apparatus, and
Procedure as subsections of the Method section) would use Level 2 (flush left,
boldface, uppercase and lowercase letters). HOWEVER, this is not an empirical
research paper, so you are supposed to use your own subheadings appropriately
depending upon the theme of your paper to make it better organized.
D. References: All sources included in the References section must be cited in the body
of the paper (and all sources cited in the paper must be included in the References
section).
a. Pagination: The References section begins on a new page.
b. Heading: “References” (centered on the first line below the running head)
c. Format: The references (with hanging indent) begin on the line following the
References heading. Entries are organized alphabetically by surnames of first authors.
Most reference entries have the following components:
i. Authors: Authors are listed in the same order as specified in the source, using
surnames and initials. Commas separate all authors. When there are eight or
more authors, list the first six authors followed by three ellipses (…) and then
the final author. If no author is identified, the title of the document begins the
reference.
ii. Year of Publication: In parentheses following authors, with a period
following the closing parenthesis. If no publication date is identified, use "n.d."
in parentheses following the authors.
iii. Source Reference: Includes title, journal, volume, pages (for journal article)
or title, city of publication, publisher (for book). Italicize titles of books, titles of
periodicals, and periodical volume numbers.
iv. Electronic Retrieval Information: Electronic retrieval information may
include digital object identifiers (DOIs) or uniform resource locators (URLs).
DOIs are unique alphanumeric identifiers that lead users to digital source
material.
d. Examples of sources
i. Journal article with DOI
Murzynski, J., & Degelman, D. (1996). Body language of women and
judgments of vulnerability to sexual assault. Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, 26, 1617-1626. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.1996.tb00088.x
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Final Paper Guideline
PSYC3220
Prof. Kim
ii. Journal article without DOI, print version
Koenig, H. G. (1990). Research on religion and mental health in later life: A
review and commentary. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23, 23-53.
iii. Journal article without DOI, retrieved online [Note: For articles retrieved
from databases, include the URL of the journal home page. Database
information is not needed. Do not include the date of retrieval.]
Aldridge, D. (1991). Spirituality, healing and medicine. British Journal of
General Practice, 41, 425-427. Retrieved from
http://www.rcgp.org.uk/publications/bjgp.aspx
iv. Book
Paloutzian, R. F. (1996). Invitation to the psychology of religion (2nd ed.).
Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
v. Informally published Web document
Degelman, D. (2009). APA style essentials. Retrieved from
http://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.aspx?doc_id=796
vi. Informally published Web document (no date)
Nielsen, M. E. (n.d.). Notable people in psychology of religion. Retrieved from
http://www.psywww.com/psyrelig/psyrelpr.htm
vii. Article or chapter in an edited book
Shea, J. D. (1992). Religion and sexual adjustment. In J. F. Schumaker (Ed.),
Religion and mental health (pp. 70-84). New York, NY: Oxford University
Press.
viii. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of
mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author.
III. A list of Journal References
Child Development
Developmental Psychology
American Psychologist
Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
Human Development
Developmental Review
Developmental Science
Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development
International Journal of Behavioral Development
Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology
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Final Paper Guideline
PSYC3220
Prof. Kim
New Directions for Child Development
Psychological Science
Cognitive Psychology
Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
Cognitive Development
Journal of Child Language
Psychology and Aging
Journal of Adolescence
Journal of Adolescent Research
Mental Retardation
Infant Behavior and Development
Journal of Child and Family Studies
American Educational Research Journal
For a more complete list of journals in developmental science see:
http://www.psychwatch.com/develop_journals.htm.
This is a sub-site of www.psychwatch.com.
See also APA website list of journals: http://www.apa.org/journals/by_title.html.
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