Research Paper Assignment Instructions
Overview
You will research and write a 7-10 page research paper on a specific mental disorder within the realm of Abnormal Psychology. The topic must be a specific DSM disorder that is discussed in the course textbook and described in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Instructions
- 7-10 pages, excluding title page and references pages
- At least 5 scholarly journal reference citations in current APA format
- Organize paper with all required sections and Level 1 subheadings
- Sources must be scholarly journals dated within the last 5 years
- Direct quotes shall not exceed ½ page of paper’s content
- Course textbook, websites, and books are not permitted as sources (with exceptions for the DSM online and Bible)
- Each section must meet the length requirement
- The use of 3rd person writing style is expected
- The research paper will address the following aspects, with level-1 subheadings included for Historical, Cause, Treatment, Prevention, Cross-Cultural, Biblical sections, organized in this order:
Title Page: Current APA style.
Introduction: Introduce and describe the topic. Discuss the DSM classification for the disorder, including a discussion of the specific criteria as described in the DSM (1/2 page). Include DSM citation. Include APA-style citations throughout. Please see the Research Paper Assignment page under the Research Paper Resources for a link to the DSM.
Historical: Describe the disorder in a historical context (i.e., how the DSM criteria for the disorder has changed over time, how the view of disorder has changed over time, how research pertaining to the cause and treatment options have changed, how prevention has changed, any changes over time, etc.). Include APA-style citations throughout (1 page).
Cause of the Illness: Current research as to the cause of the illness. Include APA-style citations throughout (1 page).
Treatment: Various treatment approaches for this disorder, including the benefits of the treatment. Include APA-style citations throughout (1 page).
Prevention: Research as to the prevention of the illness. Include APA-style citations throughout (1 page).
Cross Cultural: Cross-cultural issues pertaining to the topic. Include APA-style citations throughout (1 page).
Biblical Worldview: Discuss the topic from a Christian worldview perspective, including disorder’s cause, treatment, and prevention. Utilize the Bible and a journal source written from a biblical/theological perspective on the topic. Include APA-style citations throughout (1 page).
Conclusion: Include a closing summary of the research, including ideas for future research on the topic (1/2 page).
References: At least 5 journals in APA-style. Sources must be journals only dated within the past 5 years, with the exception of the DSM online and the Bible. One journal source should be
from a Christian/Biblical perspective for use in the Biblical Worldview section. No use of class textbook, books or websites (other than the DSM online and Bible).
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
