1-2 Short Paper: The Scientific Skeptic

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PSY510ShortPaperTheScientificScepticGuidelinesandRubric.pdf

PSY 510 Short Paper 1: The Scientific Skeptic Guidelines and Rubric

Overview This short paper assignment will require you to apply the scientific method to a psychological claim that you are skeptical about.

Prompt In everyday life, we are regularly exposed to various claims about human psychology and human behavior. Whereas some of these claims may be scientifically valid, many of them are not.

Choose a psychological claim about which you are skeptical. If you are having trouble thinking of one, think about common areas of pseudoscience that you may have heard about: astrology, ESP, hypnosis, etc. to maybe get an idea.

In your paper, develop a research question that you have about the claim. Discuss how the scientific method could be used to test your research question as compared to one of the other methods mentioned in the module (method of tenacity, method of authority, a priori method).

Your paper should include all of the following elements: • Your chosen psychological claim about which you are skeptical • Your research question about your chosen claim • An explanation of how the scientific method can be applied to test your hypothesis • A comparison how the application of the scientific method to the hypothesis compares to one of the other methods mentioned in this module

Guidelines for Submission: Your paper must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document with double spacing, standard font (12-point Times New Roman or 11- point Calibri) and one-inch margins. This paper should be a minimum of three pages (not including cover page and references) and must follow APA format.

Rubric

Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (80%) Not Evident (0%) Value Psychological Claim

Chosen States chosen psychological claim

States claim that is not closely related to psychology.

Does not state a chosen psychological claim

10

Research Question Creates a testable research question about chosen claim

Creates a research question about chosen claim but it is not testable

Does not state a research question about chosen claim

10

Application of Scientific Method

to Research Question

Illustrates how the scientific method can be applied to test the research question about chosen claim

Provides incomplete explanation of how the scientific method can be applied to test the research question

Does not illustrate how the scientific method can be applied to test the research question about the chosen claim

30

Comparison to Other Method

Explains how the application of the scientific method compares to one of the other methods mentioned in the module and makes connections to the readings

Provides an incomplete explanation of how the scientific method compares to one of the other methods mentioned in the module

Does not compare the application of the scientific method to one of the other methods mentioned in the module

30

Articulation of Response

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has some 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

20

Earned Total 100%

  • PSY 510 Short Paper 1: The Scientific Skeptic Guidelines and Rubric
    • Overview
    • Prompt
    • Rubric