Empirical article from a recent peer-reviewed journal

  Locate an empirical article from a recent peer-reviewed journal (2014 or newer). Your chosen article should feature a study and include several elements such as one of the research methods discussed in this week’s readings, as well as participants and the study’s outcome. Particular elements should include a hypothesis, method, results, and conclusion. Once you have located an appropriate study/article, develop a 2-page paper that provides a brief introduction of the study and the question that the researcher(s) attempted to address. This section should also include the hypotheses of the study. Then describe: • the research design used • what the researchers discovered • any limitations in the study • why the researchers think their findings are important • your critical assessment on the strengths and weaknesses of the study Ensure to justify your responses by relating the method or findings to material you learned from this week’s readings. BA Psychology Written Assignment Rubric BA Psychology Written Assignment Rubric Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch Question/Approach to Research Question – The extent to which the focus of the essay is expressed and specified. This need not be in the form of a question. An example of an alternative form is a hypothesis. The extent to which the essay appropriately addresses and develops the specific research question, including the collection of any relevant information. 20 pts Superior (20 - 16 points) The research question is clearly and precisely stated in the early part of the essay and is sharply focused, making it susceptible to effective treatment within the word limit. The approach used is well chosen and highly appropriate to the research question. 15 pts Good (15 - 11 points) The research question is stated in the early part of the essay but one of the following is missing or not completely developed: • The precise manner or the research question is not clearly and precisely stated • It is too broad in scope to be treated effectively within the word limit. • The approach used is generally appropriate to the research question. 10 pts Needs Improvement (10 - 6 points) The research question is stated in the early part of the essay but BOTH of the following are missing: • The precise manner or the research question is not clearly and precisely stated • It is too broad in scope to be treated effectively within the word limit. • The approach used is generally inappropriate to the research question. 5 pts Does Not Meet Standards (5 – 0 points) The research question is not stated in the early part of the essay or does not lend itself to systematic investigation in the context of an extended essay. The approach used is completely inappropriate to the research question. 20 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeApplication – The extent to which relevant materials, sources, data and evidence are considered appropriately in the essay. 20 pts Superior (20 - 16 points) The approach used is well chosen and highly appropriate to the research question. 15 pts Good (15 - 11 points) The approach used is generally appropriate to the research question. 10 pts Needs Improvement (10 - 6 points) The approach used is generally inappropriate to the research question. 5 pts Does Not Meet Standards (5 – 0 points) The approach used is completely inappropriate to the research question. 20 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeArgument/Evaluation – The extent to which the essay develops an argument relevant to the research question from the materials/information considered. Where the research question does not lend itself to systematic investigation in the context of an extended essay, the maximum level that can be awarded is 2. 20 pts Superior (20 - 16 points) A convincing argument, which addresses the research question, is well developed, well organized and clearly expressed. Where an evaluation is appropriate, it is fully substantiated. 15 pts Good (15 - 11 points) An argument which addresses the research question is competently developed. Where an evaluation is appropriate, some attempt has been made to substantiate it. 10 pts Needs Improvement (10 - 6 points) An argument is developed which addresses the research question but which is incomplete. Where an evaluation is appropriate, it is likely to be subjective, with little attempt at substantiation. 5 pts Does Not Meet Standards (5 – 0 points) There is a limited or superficial attempt to formulate an argument relevant to the research question, or there is no argument relevant to the research question. 20 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusion – The extent to which the essay incorporates a conclusion consistent with its argument, not necessarily in the form of a separate section. 20 pts Superior (20 - 16 points) A strong conclusion is clearly stated, is relevant to the research question and is consistent with the argument or explanation presented in the essay. Where appropriate, the conclusion clearly indicates unresolved questions and new questions that have emerged from the research. 15 pts Good (15 - 11 points) A conclusion is clearly stated, is relevant to the research question and is consistent with the argument or explanation presented in the essay. 10 pts Needs Improvement (10 - 6 points) Some conclusion is attempted which is consistent with the argument presented in the essay. 5 pts Does Not Meet Standards (5 – 0 points)Little or no attempt has been made to provide a conclusion which is consistent with the argument presented in the essay. 20 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA Style 5 pts No revision needed (5 points) APA style is used properly throughout the document 4 pts Some isolated revision needed (4 - 3 points) Typical APA errors are present 2 pts Moderate revision needed in some areas (2 - 1 points) APA style is used but inconsistently 0 pts Substantial revision needed (0 points) No evidence of APA style awareness 5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar 5 pts No revision needed (5 points) No grammatical errors are present and document is in good shape grammatically 4 pts Some isolated revision needed (4 - 3 points) Only a few grammatical errors appear 2 pts Moderate revision needed in some areas (2 - 1 points) Several grammatical errors appear throughout the document 0 pts Substantial revision needed (0 points) Major grammatical errors are present throughout the entire document 5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeClarity 5 pts No revision needed (5 points) Text is organized well and easy to follow. There is a logical order of information and transitions are present 4 pts Some isolated revision needed (4 - 3 points) The narrative overall is clear but there is at least one element or section in need of revision 2 pts Moderate revision needed in some areas (2 - 1 points) Logical order of ideas is present but text is lacking overall coherence 0 pts Substantial revision needed (0 points) Text is difficult to follow