Empirical Article review

The Psychology of Adolescence -- Psy 5120-01

Objective

The objective of this task is to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of issues in adolescence. Also, it should help you appreciate the relevance of these issues within our daily lives in general and within a domain of inquiry in your field of study.

Resources

For the review you should use the text book and class notes to help you analyze an article from a developmental psychology journal (e.g., Child Development, Human Development, Adolescence Research). Also, the best way to approach this task is to use the course textbook as a reference guide to help you identify a topic of interest and possible research journals to review.

In order for you to understand issues in adolescence the empirical article you will choose for review must use a cross sectional or longitudinal research design . Also, to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding you must obtain my approval for the empirical article you will choose no later than February 23, 2021 . The written presentation of this report is due on April 20, 2021 .

Although it is not required, you have the option to use additional articles to help you elaborate on the points that you are making in your review. I truly look forward to reading your analysis of the empirical article you have selected, your thoughtful integration of the issues covered, and the constructive conclusions you have derived.

Format

Length =No less than 15 pages; Spacing = Double;

Font = 12; Margins = 1 inch for each side

It is required that you write your paper in adherence to APA format. Please note that the outline I provide is not required to follow APA format. That is, certain headings are bold and underlined so that I can guide your attention to the specific headings of your paper. However, your writing should include these headings in adherence to APA format regulations.

Organization for an Empirical Article Review

The Psychology of Adolescence -- Psy 5120-01

Introduction (5pts)

Prior to your discussion of the article you are reviewing, introduce its topic of inquiry. In brief and general terms introduce the major issues and the relevance of these issues in human development. In about half a page discuss the following:

a) Description of the subject matter studied in the empirical article you have chosen.

b) Pertinent/essential developmental and cultural issues discussed in the text book that are related to the topic of the article.

c) State the significance and relevance of this topic in adolescent development.

Part I

Summary of the Theoretical Position of the Empirical Article

The information discussed in this part should address the content covered in the introduction and literature review of the article.(25 pts)

1. The article’s theoretical assumptions (10 pts)

Based on the elaboration of issues discussed in article address the following:

a) Discussion of competing perspectives included in the literature review of the article (your article may or may not have competing perspectives).

b) Distinct theoretical assumptions of each perspective on the issues of

i) nature vs nurture, ii) continuity vs discontinuity, and iii) universality vs domain specific.

2. Empirical literature reviewed in the article (10 pts)

Discuss specific findings the authors reported in their literature review of the introduction on the variables below. Elaborate on the theoretical implications of these variables in adolescent development.

a) Age-related Differences: patterns of behavior across ages (i.e., early to late adolescence.

b) Gender-related Differences: behavior that is relevant to the gender of the populations studied in the literature reviewed.

c) Cultural or contextual differences (e.g., ethnicity, race, religion, disability, and socioeconomic status) that influenced the behavior of the populations studied in the literature reviewed.

3. Purpose of Study and Hypotheses (5pts)

Briefly state the purpose of the Empirical Article you review (3 out of 5 points) and the hypothesis which the author(s) propose (2 out of 5 points). Include a list of the hypotheses precisely as stated in the article.

Part II

Description of Research Design, Methods, and Findings

The discussion in this part describes the empirical study which the author(s) of the article have conducted and derived to conclusions. (20 pts)

1. Design

Research design used in the study of this empirical article. (2pts)

2. Method

a) Participants in the research of the empirical article (2pts)

b) Procedure used to collect data (2pts)

c) Research Task(s) used in the study (2pts)

d) Testing Instrument(s) used to collect data (2pts)

3. Results

List and describe the findings included in the Results section. Have clarity in your discussion but you are not required to evaluate or explain the statistical analysis. Merely present the findings without imposing an evaluation. (10pts)

Part III

Critique of Article Reviewed

Demonstrate your critical thinking skills by offering an evaluation and critique of the article’s theoretical perspective(s), research method and tasks/instruments used, as well as the validity and significance of findings. (50pts)

In the discussion section of the article the author(s) interpret the meanings of the findings and address the relevance of these findings in human development. Your responsibility is not to summarize the discussion but, rather, to review and critique the author(s) interpretation of the research findings and offer constructive suggestions.

1. Hypothesis Support. Discuss if the findings support or reject the hypotheses proposed in the introduction of the article. Elaborate adequately on your assertion. (4pts)

2. Validity of Findings. Evaluate the validity of the findings, i.e., did the tasks and/or instruments used accurately measure the variables studied? (5pts)

3. Evaluation of Design and Method. If appropriate methods were used elaborate on it. However, if the method used were not appropriate then explain your assertion and offer suggestions for possible revisions of the methods and instruments used in the study. (5pts)

4. Topically Relevant Variables Studied. Critique the article with respect to any omissions in the authors’ consideration of issues such as gender, ethnicity, race, socio-economic status, parenting styles, and schooling. (10pts)

5. Topically Relevant Research References. State if the article took into account major references on the topic and other topically relevant research in the field. (5pts)

6. Significance of Study. Discuss the significance of the findings and how, according to the authors, these findings contribute to the field of adolescent development and in the lives of our children. (5pts)

7. Your View on the Theoretical Implications of the Findings. Discuss how the findings of the study support the theoretical assertions elaborated on in the literature review that was included in the introduction. Also, elaborate in specific detail how the findings support or reject the perspective of the authors and if these findings contribute to the field of adolescent development. (8pts)

8. Your View on the Practical Implications of Findings. Discuss contributions which the findings make in the practice of the relevant fields such as parenting, education, counseling, assessment, evaluation, etc. (3pts)

9. Conclusion

Discuss how your review of the issues covered in the empirical article and the findings reported enhanced your understanding of behavior and development in adolescence and how it may have influenced your perspective in your field of study and personal life. (5pts)