PSYC 565
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RESEARCH PAPER: PRESENTATION INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
The purpose of this Research Paper: Presentation Assignment is to help you develop the skills
and knowledge necessary to convey complex ideas in a professional manner using a PowerPoint
presentation. Presentation software is one of the most common ways ideas are presented in the
workplace, as well as academia. Although you will be presenting the same material in your
Research Paper: Final Assignment, the way it is presented in a PowerPoint presentation will
be specific to this format. For example, in a PowerPoint presentation, you will be able to
demonstrate how an operant procedure works with animated levers and food pellets, while in a
paper you would simply describe it. In a presentation, you can take advantage of multimedia
such as video clips of famous researchers explaining their own theories.
INSTRUCTIONS
Please include the following elements in your Research Paper: Presentation Assignment:
At least 25 slides
An appropriate image included on each slide
Include at least 1 video
Demonstrate at least 1 experimental method using animation
Use a slide transition
Content: The basic content and structure of the presentation should mirror that of the Research
Paper: Final Assignment but ll not include the wi “Assessment of Research Paper Writing
Process” (See the outline below). An abstract is also not included in a formal presentation. The
content must be much more concise as compared to the Research Paper: Final Assignment.
Summarize each of the main points of your Research Paper: Final Assignment into a bullet
point. oid making a slide look like a paragraph. Use in-text citations in the slide on which the Av
information appears.
Title Slide: The title slide includes the name of your presentation, your name, and the institution
with which you are affiliated.
Images: Every slide should include an image that is relevant to the content on that particular
slide. Avoid “crowding” the image by placing text too close to it. A good image will be high
resolution (not pixelated), not distorted, and professional (proper lighting, contrast, etc.). If you
use poor images, they will distract from the quality of your work. In order to avoid copyright
infringement, all images must be copyright-free or “free use”- -to . There are a number of
databases in which you can find copyright-free images, including using an advanced google
image search with the usage rights set to “free to use or share.”
Style: Select a background, font, and color combination that easy to read and visually is
complementary.
Video: The video should be a link to a YouTube video. If the video is a link to a file on the
author’s computer it will not play when the ppt file is transferred to another person.
Animation: Use animation to demonstrate the methods of at least 1 experiment.
Slide Transitions: Select a slide transition that makes the presentation look polished but does not
distract from the flow of the presentation.
PSYC 565
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Reference Slide: Current APA-formatted references of all sources cited in the presentation.
Narration: Write narration in the notes section under each slide of how you would explain the a
slides. This should be the same information you would put on note cards if you were presenting
your ppt at a meeting or in class.
Outline:
I. Introduction
A. State your topic. (e.g. “This paper will examine the roles of spontaneous
reinstatement of operant behavior in drug addiction ) .”
1. State why this topic is important (e.g. “More than 80% of individuals who
go through substance abuse treatment will relapse within 5 years ) .”
2. State your initial research questions (e.g. What are the critical variables “
that contribute to spontaneous recovery of operant responding for drugs of
abuse?”)
B. Background information about the issue
1. Learning principle (e.g. Spontaneous recovery was first reported by “
_______. Later research revealed that _____,_______, and ______
influence spontaneous recovery in animal studies ). .”
2. Principle’s application to the problem or issue (e.g. “______ initially
suggested that drug relapse may work through a similar mechanism. The
methods used to study spontaneous recovery of drug seeking behavior
are…”)
C. State your hypothesis. Your hypothesis is the main focus of the Research Paper:
Presentation Assignment (e.g. “While stress is a critical factor in the
reinstatement of operant behavior for drugs of abuse, its effects can be mitigated
by an enriched environment ). Everything discussed in the ”Research Paper:
Presentation Assignment must be related back to the hypothesis. Does a study
support or contradict your hypothesis?
1. Define all terms in your hypothesis, referencing appropriate sources
2. Discuss any points of clarification
a) Point 1
b) Point 2
(1) … (as needed)
