PSY 540 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
Within the professions of psychology, it can be typical for you to work on proposals for programs, studies, or new initiatives. For example, you may work for a
university that regularly partners with foundations and corporations to identify grant opportunities for projects in local communities. The final project for this
course is a project proposal that provides you an opportunity to draw upon your knowledge of cognitive psychology and demonstrate the key skills and abilities
developed in this course to address a contemporary psychological problem, giving you critical exposure to how that problem impacts people’s interactions in a
professional setting. You will select an area of interest in cognitive psychology and one of the following applied settings: education, law, mental health, or
technology. Your proposal may include brief references to an additional setting, but your focus must be on your primary applied setting choice. For example, you
can select education as your primary applied setting as you research a contemporary problem related to memory processes and learning, but you may find that
you want to also touch on memory disorders (i.e., mental health setting) within the scope of your project.
This project is supported by four milestones, which will provide you opportunities to work toward the final project throughout the course and improve the
quality of your final submission. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, Six, and Seven. The final project will be submitted in Module Nine.
Outcomes
These assessments will address the following course outcomes:
Apply foundational theories of attention, learning, memory, language, and decision making to practical, contemporary problems
Identify gaps in and propose improvements for practices in professional disciplines based on the strengths and limitations of human cognitive systems
Assess foundational theories of cognitive psychology for their relevancy to real-world issues
Interpret current research and statistical findings in cognitive psychology through the application of sound methodological principles
Advocate for and defend the use of socially responsible strategies and techniques for improving upon human cognitive processes
Prompt
Approach your proposal by first identifying an area of cognitive psychology to address within your proposal: attention, learning, memory, language, or decision
making. Then select an applied setting to connect with your selected area of cognitive psychology: education, law, mental health, or technology. You will focus on
a contemporary problem that pertains to your selected area of cognitive psychology and your selected applied setting. For example, suppose that you selected
“attention” as your area of cognitive psychology and “education” as your selected applied setting. Based on those selections, you will now have to identify a
relevant contemporary problem. As an example, with the growth of online education, consider online students, the different factors competing for attention
given the nature of the educational environment, and potential impact on success.
After you have identified your area of cognitive psychology, applied setting, and contemporary problem, you will select at least two relevant foundational
theories within your selected area of cognitive psychology, keeping in mind your selected applied setting and contemporary problem. For example, in relation to
attention, you may be interested in exploring Treisman’s attenuation theory, which posits that information not being attended to “consciously” is still being
processed. However, the information being attended to is being processed at a deeper level than the unattended information. Based on your review of related
research, you will be required to formulate a research question that addresses potential improvements to practices in your selected applied setting based on the
strengths of human cognitive systems. Lastly, you will devise an appropriate solution that will offer socially responsible strategies and techniques to address the
problem.
The examples below can help provide further direction for your proposal. Keep in mind that you must identify a key topic or area of cognitive psychology, as well
as an applied setting (education, law, mental health, or technology) in your proposal. In your proposal, you may briefly address secondary applied settings, as
well:
Topic and Proposal Examples
Example 1:
Area of cognitive psychology: Attention
Applied setting: Education (with potential secondary applications in technology)
Example: A study that investigates online students, the factors competing for attention, and the impacts on educational success, and draws conclusions about the
resulting societal implications for improving upon these human cognitive processes
Example 2:
Area of cognitive psychology: Memory (processes and disorders)
Applied setting: Mental health (with potential secondary applications in education)
Example: A mental health program designed to help the elderly improve memory and prevent memory loss due to Alzheimer’s and/or dementia
Example 3:
Area of cognitive psychology: Decision making
Applied setting: Law
Example: A study that investigates decision-making processes of jurors in court cases
Topic Selection Resources
The following sites offer topics and news feeds on a variety of issues related to various areas of psychology.
American Psychological Association – Topics area
Psychological Science in the News – News feed
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed in your proposal, in the following order:
I.
Problem Statement
a) Describe the contemporary problem that is the focus of your proposal with full details with respect to your selected applied setting.
b) Identify your selected area of cognitive psychology (attention, learning, memory, language, or decision making) and appropriate foundational
theories that apply to your selected problem.
c) Describe performance issues in your selected applied setting based on limitations of human cognitive systems.
d) Create a research question that addresses potential improvements to practices in the applied setting based on the strengths of human cognitive
systems. Remember that your research question should address your contemporary problem.
II.
Contemporary Relevance
a) Evaluate the utility of the theories you identified when describing your problem with respect to their strengths and limitations.
b) Which particular theory offers the greatest utility for practitioners to apply in addressing real-world issues specific to the contemporary problem
you selected? Defend your selection.
III.
Interpretation of Research Findings: Explain how each primary or secondary resource you selected supports your research question. This is where you
will apply sound methodological principles (by following the prompts below, a–b) to qualify the research results and statistical findings.
a) How do the research results and statistical findings apply to your research question?*
b) Explain the strengths and limitations of the research results and findings in supporting the research question. This is where you will explain how
the research results and findings you have reviewed support your research question and specific gaps. In other words, in reviewing your
sources, is there sufficient support for this research question? This is also where you would identify what research does not yet exist that is
necessary in supporting the application of your research question.*
IV.
Methodological Principles: This is where you will look at your research question (critical element I, part d) and determine what types of strategies or
techniques you would use if you were to hypothesize improving upon the problem in your selected applied setting. Remember, this is not limited to a
controlled experiment.
a) What socially responsible strategies and techniques could be used for improving upon human cognitive processes specific to your applied
setting?
b) What are the implications for using these strategies and techniques?
V.
Conclusion
a) What potential future direction do you see from implementation of your research specific to addressing the contemporary problem you cited in
critical element I, part a?
*Click here to access a list of approved publications, which has been provided to illustrate the standards of quality expected in the types of resources necessary
in supporting this proposal.
Project Milestones
Milestone One: Topic and Setting Submission
In Module Two, you will draft a topic suggestion by identifying your particular area of interest in cognitive psychology (attention, learning, memory, language, or
decision making), select an applied setting (education, law, mental health, or technology), and describe the contemporary problem as it relates to your topic and
setting. Last, draft three potential research questions that explore potential improvements related to your topic and the applied setting. This milestone will be
graded using the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Annotated Bibliography
In Module Four, you will work from the topic, applied setting, and research questions you identified in Milestone One and start identifying relevant research to
support your final proposal. You will complete an annotated bibliography featuring a minimum of four research articles. In your bibliography, you will reflect on
how the research applies to your topic, explore strengths and limitations of the research, and propose ways to expand on the research. This milestone will be
graded using the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Rough Draft of Final Proposal
In Module Six, you will submit a rough draft of your proposal and post the draft to the Module Seven discussion topic to be reviewed by one of your peers. The
draft will include all the required elements of your final proposal and incorporate any relevant instructor feedback you received on Milestones One and Two.
This draft submission represents an opportunity to receive targeted instructor feedback that you can use to improve your final proposal. This milestone will be
graded using the Milestone Three Rubric.
Milestone Four: Peer Review of Rough Draft
In Module Seven, you will review a rough draft completed by one of your peers and provide feedback related to current strengths of the proposal, potential
areas of clarification, and remaining questions. You will also respond to feedback that one of your peers provided on your own rough draft. This milestone will
be graded using the Milestone Four Rubric.
Final Submission: Project Proposal
In Module Nine, you will submit your final project, a proposal exploring how you would address a contemporary problem of cognitive psychology within a
specific setting. Throughout the course, you have had multiple opportunities to work on elements of this proposal and to fine-tune your thinking on your chosen
topic. Your finalized proposal should incorporate feedback you have received from your instructor as well as your peers. This submission will be graded with the
Final Project Rubric.
Deliverables
Milestone
Deliverables
Module Due
Grading
1
Topic and Setting Submission
Two
Graded using the Milestone One Rubric
2
Annotated Bibliography
Four
Graded using the Milestone Two Rubric
3
Rough Draft of Final Proposal
Six
Graded using the Milestone Three Rubric
4
Peer Review of Rough Draft
Seven
Graded using the Milestone Four Rubric
Project Proposal
Nine
Graded using the Final Project Rubric (on following page)
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Written components of the proposal must follow these formatting guidelines when applicable: double spacing, 12-point Times New
Roman font, one-inch margins, and APA citations. Your proposal should be approximately 8–10 pages, not including cover page and references, and use
preapproved resources. (The submission should include a variety of research and findings from at least three of the provided publications. Click here to access
the list of approved publications.)
Critical Elements
Problem Statement:
Contemporary
Problem
Exemplary (100%)
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
the details are well qualified
with examples specific to the
applied setting
Meets “Proficient” criteria with
examples from real-world
situations
Proficient (90%)
Describes a contemporary
problem in full detail with
respect to the applied setting
Problem Statement:
Performance Issues
and Limitations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
is well qualified with examples
from selected applied setting
Problem Statement:
Potential
Improvements
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
is well qualified with examples
from selected applied setting
Contemporary
Relevance: Utility of
Theories
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
contrast of theories is well
qualified with real-world
examples
Identifies performance issues in
the selected fields (education,
law, mental health, or
technology), demonstrating
clear connection to the
limitations of human cognitive
systems
Creates research question that
addresses potential
improvements to practices in
the applied setting based on the
strengths of human cognitive
systems
Evaluate the utility of the
foundational theories for
practitioners with respect to
their strengths and limitations
Contemporary
Relevance: Apply
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
is well qualified with examples
in which the theory would not
Problem Statement:
Selected Area
Explains aspects of foundational
theories, fully connecting them
to selected problem
Selects theory and defends with
explanation on how particular
theory offers the greatest utility
for practitioners to apply
Needs Improvement (70%)
Describes the contemporary
problem, but with gaps in detail
with respect to the applied
setting
Explains aspects of foundational
theories, but with gaps in
connecting them to selected
problem
Identifies performance issues in
the selected applied setting
(education, law, mental health,
or technology), but connections
to the limitations of human
cognitive systems are unclear
Not Evident (0%)
Does not describe a
contemporary problem in any
detail with respect to the
applied setting
Does not explain aspects of
foundational theories
Value
9
Does not identify performance
issues in the selected applied
setting (education, law, mental
health, or technology)
9
Research question addresses
potential improvements to
practices in the applied setting,
but connections to the
strengths of human cognitive
systems are unclear
Evaluates the utility of the
foundational theories for
practitioners, but with gaps in
addressing their strengths or
limitations
Selects theory but is unclear on
how selection offers the
greatest utility for practitioners
to apply in addressing real-
Does not create research
question that addresses
potential improvements to
practices in the applied setting
9
Does not evaluate the utility of
the foundational theories
9
Does not select particular
theory for practitioners to apply
in addressing real-world issues
9
9
Interpretation of
Research: Question
Interpretation of
Research: Support
be applicable in real-world
situations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
is well qualified with examples
in which aspects of the research
and research findings would not
be applicable to proposed
improvements
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
substantiates with specific
examples of scholarly research
Methodological
Principles: Strategies
and Techniques
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
substantiates strategies and
techniques with scholarly
research
Methodological
Principles:
Implications
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
the implications of the
strategies and techniques are
well qualified with examples
specific to the applied setting
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
substantiates with scholarly
research
Conclusion
specific to contemporary
problem selected
Explains the research and
research findings with regard to
how they apply to proposed
improvements
world issues specific to
contemporary problem selected
Explains the research and
research findings, but does not
connect to proposed
improvements
Explains the strengths and
limitations of the research
results and findings in
supporting the research
question
Recommends appropriate,
socially responsible strategies
and techniques for improving
human cognitive processes that
are applicable to applied setting
Explains implications of the
strategies and techniques in full
detail with respect to the
applied setting
Explains the research results
and findings, but does not
address strengths or limitations
Explains potential future
direction from implementation
of research specific to
addressing the contemporary
problem(s)
Explains potential future
direction from implementation
of research, but with gaps in
how it is specific to addressing
the contemporary problem(s)
Recommends appropriate
strategies and techniques for
improving human cognitive
processes, but with gaps in
applicability to proposal
Explains implications of the
strategies and techniques, but
with gaps in detail with respect
to the applied setting
Does not explain how the
research and research findings
apply to proposed
improvements
9
Does not explain the strengths
and limitations of the research
results and findings in
supporting the research
question
Does not make appropriate,
socially responsible
recommendations for strategies
and techniques for improving
human cognitive processes
Does not explain implications of
the strategies and techniques
with respect to the applied
setting
9
Does not explain potential
future direction from
implementation of research
study
5
9
9
Articulation of
Response
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and
organization and is presented in
a professional and easy-to-read
format
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact
readability and articulation of
main ideas
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas
Earned Total
5
100%
Project Resources
In this course, you will synthesize quality research so that you can use your findings to develop your own solutions to contemporary issues. Psychology Today and
other such publications developed for the mass consumer market are NOT appropriate resources upon which to base the research that informs your solutions in
these projects. Below is a list of quality resources that are critical to your ability to map cognitive psychology concepts and theories onto real-world situations.
Your work should be informed by a variety of resources from at least three of these publications. Use these resources to identify current research (less than five
years old) and statistical findings that will inform your interpretation of the foundational theories in this course.
Shapiro Library Resource Guide for Undergraduate and Graduate Psychology Students
You are not limited to the publications listed below for informing your work. For additional research, you may wish to use this guide provided as a main jumpingoff point to source quality research. This guide organizes and provides psychology students and faculty links to the Shapiro Library resources available in this field
of study.
Association for Psychological Science
The Association for Psychological Science (previously the American Psychological Society) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific
psychology and its representation at the national and international level.
Cognitive Psychology
This journal offers articles that focus on new theoretical advances in the study of attention, memory, language processing, perception, problem solving, and
thinking.
Cognitive Science
This multidisciplinary journal brings together researchers from a variety of fields including but not limited to psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and
education, which will be valuable as you seek to apply your solutions in the fields of education and mental health.
Cognition, Technology & Work
This journal focuses on human interaction with technology in the context of work and working conditions, which will be valuable as you seek to apply your
solutions in terms of interaction with technology in the workplace.
Law & Psychology Review
This journal combines the disciplines of law and psychology, which will be valuable as you seek apply your solutions specific to issues of law.
Memory & Cognition
This journal covers topics including but not limited to human memory and learning, conceptual processes, and problem solving.
Psychological Science
This journal offers the latest findings in cognitive, social, developmental, and health psychology, as well as behavioral neuroscience and biopsychology.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
This journal provides a topic for research in cognitive science, which brings together the fields of psychology, artificial intelligence, linguistics, philosophy, and
neuroscience, among others.
Topics in Cognitive Science
This journal offers topics specific to cognitive science.
PSY 540 Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric: Annotated Bibliography
Overview
When engaged in the research process, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information you are taking in. Sometimes writers begin to lose track of
how the content they are reading will be helpful in supporting the claims they make in their papers or in addressing their research question. A working
annotated bibliography helps writers organize potentially useful resources and streamlines the process of identifying relevant research.
When drafting a proposal, it is important to make a compelling case why the proposed project can improve practice in an applied setting. As a psychologist, you
do this by pulling from examples of theoretical and applied research from the field. Works of theoretical research establish foundational theories and offer
insight as to why problems exist in an applied setting. Applied research studies observe practice in an applied setting and suggest strategies and techniques to
improve a problem based on collected data. Together, these types of research comprise a well-balanced argument that explains why a problem exists and how it
can be fixed.
In Module Four, you will submit a working annotated bibliography with at least four assignments, including scholarly books or articles, pertaining to your
proposal topic, applied setting, and the research questions identified in Module Two. Two of the articles you find should be related to the theories you related to
your topic that you intend to feature in your final proposal. The other two articles should discuss applied research related to your topic area.
For each article, include one paragraph summarizing how the article relates to your chosen topic and setting and a second paragraph addressing the following
questions:
•
•
•
How do the research results and statistical findings in the article apply to your research question and your applied setting?
What are the strengths and limitations of the research results and findings in supporting the research question?
How could you expand on available research to more specifically address your research question?
Conclude each assignment with a brief critique of the article. What are the strengths or limitations of the research? How could future research build on these
findings?
Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Each annotation should be 1-2 paragraphs in length, double-spaced in Times New Roman 12-point font, using proper APA citations.
Critical Elements
Relevance of
Research to Topic
and Setting
Results and
Statistical Findings
Strengths and
Limitations
Expanding on
Research
Articulation of
Response
Exemplary (100%)
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides specific examples to
illustrate the research’s
relevance
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
compares the source’s results
and statistical findings to other
works of research
Proficient (90%)
Discusses the source’s
relevance to the topic and
explains how it relates to the
applied setting
Explains how the source’s
results and statistical findings
apply to the research question
and the applied setting
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides specific examples to
illustrate how the strengths and
limitations of the research
results and findings support the
research question
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
identifies specific, actionable
ways the research could be
extended
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and
organization and is presented in
a professional and easy-to-read
format
Identifies strengths and
limitations of the research
results and findings and
explains how they support the
research question
Discusses potential expansions
or extensions to the research as
it relates to the research
question
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
Needs Improvement (70%)
Discusses the source’s
relevance to the topic, but does
not explain how it relates to the
applied setting
Explains the source’s results
and statistical findings, but does
not connect them to the
research question and applied
setting
Identifies strengths and
limitations of the research
results and findings, but does
not explain how they support
the research question
Not Evident (0%)
Does not discuss the source’s
relevance to the topic
Value
25
Does not explain the source’s
results and statistical findings
20
Does not identify strengths and
limitations of the research
results and findings
20
Discusses potential expansions
or extensions to the research,
but does not include how it
relates to the research question
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact
readability and articulation of
main ideas
Does not discuss potential
expansions or extensions of the
research
20
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas
15
Earned Total
100%
Running Head: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Annotated Bibliography
Sharaya Janes
Southern New Hampshire University
Janes 1
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Janes 2
Cherry, K. (2019). Why Behaviorism Is One of Psychology's Most Fascinating Branches.
Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/behavioral-psychology-4157183
The article states how Watson Behaviorism Theory can help understand the learning and
decision-making process of a person. It can also assist in understanding individuals with mental
disorders to achieve almost mental health through conditioning. According to Cherry,
conditioning takes place by interacting with the environment, and the responses afterward help in
shaping one’s actions. The article further states that only observable behaviors should be
considered because moods, emotions, and cognitions are far too subjective. The internal mental
state of an individual can be controlled regardless of personality traits or even genetic
background. According to the author, there are two main types of conditioning, which are
classical and operant conditioning. The learning process can be achieved through associations,
rewards, and even punishments. The article thus provides method which a patient with mental
disorders can be assisted through classical or operant conditioning. It also offers strategies to
follow during the treatment process so that the patient can experience mental stability through a
suitable method of conditioning.
From the “Little Albert” experience, it was concluded that a person could get conditioned
through observable stimulus-response behaviors. Considering that all actions are learned through
conditioning, it is easy to understand the decision making of a person. It can also be easy to
improve the mental conditions of a person. One of the limitations of this theory is that it does not
rely on internal mental state and unconscious state of a person because it is not observable.
Therefore, it can be hard to determine or change how a person makes a decision.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Janes 3
NEMADE, R., REISS, N., & DOMBECK, M. (2016). Psychology of DepressionPsychodynamic Theories. Retrieved from
https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/psychology-of-depression-psychodynamictheories/
The article states how Freud’s Psychodynamic theory can help in understanding human behavior
by understanding the different parts of the mind, which is the id, ego, and superego. According to
the author, the brain has a vast untapped capability, and it is only a part of ego and superego
which people know of. Through the theory, it can be understood how the mind of a person makes
the decision, and it adopts to learning. By understanding that there is a conflict between the ego,
Id, and superego as a person grows, it becomes easy to help a person have mental health because
it is easy to understand how they learn and make decisions.
The article states that the childhood experiences shape the personalities of a person. These
findings can be used to determine the learning and decision making process of a person. It can
also be used to highlight ways which mental disorders can be controlled. The most common way
to do this is by making the repressed knowledge conscious. It is because mental illness was
caused by mental tension, which is generated by repression. I can thus use the findings of this
theory to understand how the human mind is programmed to learn and make decisions and even
understand how an individual can have mental health.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Janes 4
Koek, K., & Meijel, v. (2019). Decision making on (dis)continuation of long-term treatment
in mental health services is an interpersonal negotiation rather than an objective
process: qualitative study. Retrieved from
https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-019-2072-0
The research determines ways which individuals are deemed fit after undergoing psychosocial
treatment of mental disorders. It also states the various ways in which clinical psychiatrists
determine when a person is fit to stop getting mental health treatment. The subjects of the study
provide a better understanding of how theories like the behavioral theory can be used to
determine if a person is has achieved the right mental state/health.
The results state that in most cases, poor understanding of an individual’s mental capability may
cause psychiatric treatment to continue, and a professional team is required to avoid this. The use
of incentives and rewards can also play a key role in enhancing a patient’s mental disorders. The
only challenge with the study is that the subjects of the research are given a limited time, which
is not enough to understand the functionality of their brain. I would thus spend more time or have
many subjects of the study to know how to improve their mental health and when to know they
are fit.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Janes 5
Katarina G., David R., Petra S., & Ulla-Karin S. (2016) Shared decision-making in mental
health care—A user perspective on decisional needs in community-based
services, International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Wellbeing, 11:1, DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v11.30563
The research project states the role of shared decision-making and how it can determine the
effectiveness of mental health care for a patient. The main goal of this project is to assess the
information and decision needs for patients with mental illness and how SDM can be used. Three
semi-structured interviews were conducted to 22 individuals with mental illness where the data
gathered was used to determine the effectiveness of this method in healing individuals with
mental illness. The methods used in treating these patients is also highlighted to determine how
each individual responds to it.
The results of the study found out that different individuals may respond differently when it
comes to mental treatment strategies. The difference may pose a challenge for the healthcare
providers in determining precisely if a patient has fully recovered or not. It is the reason why
they recommend the use of shared decision-making as it determine if a person has fully
recovered or not. The research thus provides a deep understanding on the use of communitybased mental health services. I would use its findings to further research on the cognitive factors
and the attitudinal relationship which should be taken in utilizing SDM in enhancing mental
health of an individual.
4-2 Final Project
0 / 75
Individual Feedback
Milestone Two:
Hi Sharaya,
Annotated
Bibliography
When I started reading your paper, I could identify the last article as being one about theory, but
could not discern which other article is related to theory. Please go back in and mark each article as
to whether it is related to theory or related to your topic area. Please resubmit and let me know when
you do so. I will then grade it. This is to assist you in getting ready for the final project.
Isabelle
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