ABS200 week 5 Assignment

Week 5 - Final Paper

Applied Psychology: From Theory to Practice Final Paper

For your Final Paper assignment, you will demonstrate your knowledge of applied behavioral science by utilizing summarizing information you have learned throughout this course.

Prepare: To begin, review the case study you selected in Week Three of the course. Remember, you must use this case study. Pay special attention to the topic you selected and the area from which you will draw your research on the topic as noted in the title of the case study. For example, if you selected Case Study #1, you would explore the topic of Major Depressive Disorder from the clinical psychology perspective. If you selected Case Study #5, you would explore motivation from the industrial organizational psychology perspective.

Reflect: Next, research the chosen topic using scholarly resources, and craft a thesis statement regarding your selected topic. For assistance with creating a thesis statement, utilize the  Thesis Generator (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.  tool on the Ashford University Writing Center website. Your final paper must contain at least six peer-reviewed journal articles, published within the past 10 years, which are cited according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Examples of peer reviewed journals include, but are not limited to, the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Journal of Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Interventions, The Behavior Analyst Today, Journal of Speech-Language Pathology & Applied Behavior Analysis,and Journal of Behavioral Education. Additional scholarly sources (e.g., information from government websites and professional association websites) may be included over and above the required six peer-reviewed journal articles. Popular sources (Wikipedia, Newsweek, New York Times, Psychology Today, About.com, PsychCentral.com, etc.) are not considered peer-reviewed sources. For further assistance in determining whether or not a source is a peer-reviewed journal article, be sure to access the  Scholarly and Popular Resources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.  tutorial on the Ashford University Library website.

Write: In a well-developed eight- to ten-page paper address the following criteria for the case study you selected in Week Three. See the ABS200 Case Study List located in your online classroom to review the case studies.

· The paper must begin with a well-written introduction that includes a succinct thesis statement. For assistance with creating a thesis statement, utilize the  Thesis Generator (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.  tool on the Ashford University Writing Center website.

· Your introductory paragraph must include a description of the basic characteristics of science and a definition of applied behavioral science and the area of psychology from which the case study is explored.

· Identify and describe the potential source(s) and/or cause(s) of the issue that is/are relevant to the selected case study (e.g., genetic, environmental, social, cultural, organizational).

· Examine the case study by applying one psychological theory of your choice pertinent to applied behavioral science.

· Describe scientific research that is relevant to your selected case study. Include past and current findings and note any key changes.

· Identify and describe any relevant trends in working with your intended population.

· Detail a suggested plan of action, including advantages and disadvantages, for moving forward.

· Specify what you would do to build rapport with the clients in the selected case study.

· State ethical considerations that are relevant to this case.

· You must end your paper with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis and include an examination of the pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages) of utilizing at least one applied behavioral science intervention method to address the concerns in the scenario you selected.

The Applied Psychology: From Theory to Practice Final Paper

· Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the  Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. .

· Must include a separate title page with the following:

· Title of paper

· Student’s name

· Course name and number

· Instructor’s name

· Date submitted

· Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

· Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought. View the  Critical Thinking Community (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.  website for further assistance.

· Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis and summarizes supporting evidence.

· Must use at least six peer-reviewed journal articles as sources, including a minimum of four from the Ashford University Library.

· The  Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.  table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.

· Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

· Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Carefully review the  Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.  for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

Description:

Total Possible Score: 22.00

Organization: Introduction, Thesis Statement, and Conclusion

Total: 2.00

Distinguished - Paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - Paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - Paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions

Defines Applied Behavioral Science and the Area of Psychology

Total: 2.00

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively defines applied behavioral science and the area of psychology from which the case study is explored. The definition is fully supported with scholarly sources.

Proficient - Defines applied behavioral science and the area of psychology from which the case study is explored. The definition is mostly supported with scholarly sources, but minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Partially defines applied behavioral science and the area of psychology from which the case study is explored. The definition is minimally supported with scholarly sources and relevant details are missing or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define applied behavioral science and the area of psychology from which the case study is explored, however, the definitions are not supported with scholarly sources and/or significant details are missing or unclear.

Non-Performance - The definition is either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Identifies and Describes Source and/or Causation

Total: 2.00

Distinguished - Correctly identifies and thoroughly describes potential source(s) and/or cause(s) of the issue presented in the case study.

Proficient - Identifies and describes potential source(s) and/or cause(s) of the issue presented in the case study. Minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Identifies and partially describes potential source(s) and/or cause(s) of the issue presented in the case study. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Identifies and attempts to describe potential source(s) and/or cause(s) of the issue presented in the case study: however, significant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification and description of source(s) and/or cause(s) of the issue presented in the case study are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Explains the Case Study by Applying one Psychological Theory

Total: 2.00

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the selected case study applying one psychological theory.

Proficient - Explains the selected case study applying one psychological theory. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Minimally explains the selected case study applying one psychological theory. Relevant details are missing or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the selected case study; however, one psychological theory is not applied or significant details are missing and/or unclear.

Non-Performance - The examination is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Describes Scientific Research That is Relevant to the Selected Case Study

Total: 2.00

Distinguished - Comprehensively describes the scientific research that is relevant to the selected case study thoroughly including past and current findings noting key changes.

Proficient - Describes the scientific research that is relevant to the selected case study including past and current findings noting key changes. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially describes the scientific research that is relevant to the selected case study minimally including past and current findings noting key changes. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the scientific research that is relevant to the selected case study; however, does not include past and current findings noting key changes and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the scientific research is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Identifies and Describes Relevant Trends in Working With the Intended Population

Total: 1.50

Distinguished - Clearly identifies and thoroughly describes fully relevant trends in working with the population from the selected case study.

Proficient - Identifies and describes relevant trends in working with the population from the selected case study. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Identifies and minimally describes somewhat relevant trends in working with the population from the selected case study. Relevant details are missing or unclear.

Below Expectations - Identifies and attempts to describe trends in working with the population from the selected case study; however, the trends are not relevant and/or significant details are missing and/or unclear.

Non-Performance - The identification and description of relevant trends in working with the population from the selected case study is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Details a Suggested Plan of Action

Total: 2.00

Distinguished - Comprehensively details a suggested plan of action for moving forward, fully including advantages and disadvantages.

Proficient - Details a suggested plan of action for moving forward, including advantages and disadvantages. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially details a suggested plan of action for moving forward minimally including advantages and disadvantages. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to detail a suggested plan of action for moving forward; however, does not include advantages and disadvantages and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The detailing of a suggested plan of action for moving forward is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Specifies What can be Done to Build Rapport With Clients in the Selected Case Study

Total: 2.00

Distinguished - Thoroughly specifies what can be done to build rapport with the clients in the selected case study.

Proficient - Specifies what can be done to build rapport with the clients in the selected case study. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially specifies what can be done to build rapport with the clients in the selected case study. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to specify what can be done to build rapport with the clients in the selected case study; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The specification of what can be done to build rapport with the clients in the selected case study is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Applied Ethics: Ethical Issue Recognition

Total: 2.00

Distinguished - States ethical issues when presented in a complex, ambiguous context AND can recognize interrelationships among the various issues.

Proficient - States ethical issues when they are presented in an ambiguous context OR can grasp cross-relationships among the issues.

Basic - States basic and apparent ethical issues and understands (incompletely) the complexities or interrelationships among the issues.

Below Expectations - States apparent ethical issues but fails to grasp complexity or interrelationships.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Critical Thinking: Explanation of Issues

Total: 0.75

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Written Communication: Content Development

Total: 0.75

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Written Communication: Control of Syntax and Mechanics

Total: 0.75

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors, and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors, and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors, which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

APA Formatting

Total: 0.75

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.

Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Page Requirement

Total: 0.75

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.  

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Resource Requirement

Total: 0.75

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance -The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.