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ResearchPaper-FinalGradingRubric.pdf
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ResearchPaperFinalAssignmentInstructions.docx
EDCO 811
Research Paper: Final Assignment Instructions
Overview
Based on your approved topic and your outline, write a comprehensive research paper that allows you to demonstrate your mastery of the material that we have studied. You have been exposed to the different counseling theories and will now demonstrate your ability to implement your studies into your practice. See the instructions for the parameters of your paper below.
Instruction Requirements
1. Addresses and reflects the chosen/approved topic.
2. Demonstrates a thorough presentation/progression of the subject matter.
3. Integrate theoretical and clinical counseling principles.
4. Integrate biblical principles.
5. Provide a minimum of 10 references from current sources, 8 of which are peer-reviewed research (including textbooks) or journal articles.
6. Suggested scope is 15 pages (not including Title Page, Abstract, and References).
7. Follow current APA format, including double-spaced content. Ensure that each citation has a corresponding reference (and vis-versa).
8. Note that an abstract is a summation of your research, not an introduction to it. Abstracts are best formulated with your paper is finished.
9. Use clear and concise language with correct grammar and structure.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
ResearchPaper-FinalGradingRubric.pdf
Criteria Ratings Points
Content 105 to >96 pts
Advanced
Thesis statement is clearly identifiable and strongly presented. It provides a clear overview of the paper’s contents. All components as described in the assignment have been thoroughly addressed. Assertions are relevant and properly supported by evidence. The conclusion offers a good summary of issues treated in the paper and offers practical application. Sources are scholarly, high-quality, and relevant. They are critically evaluated and correctly utilized. All required elements are included and presented with strong headings and organizational clarity. There are clear transitions between paragraphs and sections. The treatment of the topic is logically oriented. The paper meets the page length requirement. The paper meets the reference requirement.
96 to >87 pts
Proficient
Thesis statement is identifiable and presented. It provides an overview of the paper’s contents. All components as described in the assignment have been addressed. Assertions are mostly relevant and mostly supported by evidence. The conclusion offers a summary of issues treated in the paper and offers application. Sources are scholarly and relevant. They are evaluated and utilized. All required elements are included and organized. There are transitions between paragraphs and sections. The treatment of the topic is logically oriented. The paper meets the page length requirement or comes very close. The paper meets the reference requirement or comes very close.
87 to >79 pts
Developing
Thesis statement is identifiable but needs improvement. Most components as described in the assignment have been addressed, or all components are present but need improvement. Some assertions are relevant and supported by evidence. The conclusion may need improvement. Most sources are scholarly and most are relevant. Most are evaluated and utilized. Most required elements are included and are mostly organized. Most paragraphs and sections have transitions. The logical treatment of the topic needs improvement. The paper may not meet the page length requirement. The paper may not meet the reference requirement.
79 to >0 pts
Below Expectations
Thesis statement is not identifiable and/or does not provide an overview of the paper’s contents. Few components as described in the assignment have been addressed, or all components are missing. The conclusion is weak or is not present in the paper. Few or no sources are scholarly or relevant. Few or none are evaluated and utilized. Few or no required elements are included. Few or no transitions exist between paragraphs and sections. There may not be a logical treatment of the topic. The paper does not meet the reference requirement.
0 pts
Not Present
/ 105 pts
Research Paper: Final Grading Rubric | EDCO811_D01_202630
Criteria Ratings Points
Mechanics 45 to >41 pts
Advanced
Student demonstrated exemplary grammar, diction and APA formatting.
41 to >37 pts
Proficient
Student demonstrated appropriate grammar, diction and APA formatting.
37 to >33 pts
Developing
Student demonstrated average quality grammar, diction and APA formatting.
33 to >0 pts
Below Expectations
Student demonstrated poor grammar, diction and APA formatting.
0 pts
Not Present
/ 45 pts
Total Points: -
Research Paper: Final Grading Rubric | EDCO811_D01_202630
Module2-FinalAssignmentRevised-ResearchPaperTopicAssignment.docx
1
Repairing Trust After Disclosed Marital Infidelity: A Comparison of Accountability, Emotional Safety, Acceptance, and Relational Decision Making in Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy and Gottman Method Couple Therapy
Abraham De La Cruz
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Author Note
Abraham De La Cruz is a doctoral student in the Community Care and Counseling program at Liberty University.
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Abraham De La Cruz, School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University.
Repairing Trust After Disclosed Marital Infidelity: A Comparison of Accountability, Emotional Safety, Acceptance, and Relational Decision Making in Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy and Gottman Method Couple Therapy
Category 4: Infidelity and affairs.
Topic: A comparative analysis of how Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy and Gottman Method Couple Therapy address accountability, emotional safety, acceptance, and relational decision-making during trust repair after disclosed marital infidelity.
Thesis Statement: Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy and Gottman Method Couple Therapy offer complementary but distinct pathways for repairing trust after disclosed marital infidelity to promote emotional safety, informed relational decision making, and sustainable trust repair: the former develops emotional acceptance, empathic understanding, and targeted behavior change, whereas the latter strengthens accountability, transparency, conflict regulation, and renewed commitment.
Rationale
Infidelity in marriage is a topic that should be studied in detail since it interferes with trust, attachment security, and patterns of conflict and shared meaning between the couple. To get the paper out of the general discussion, a smaller comparison of two counseling approaches will help discuss how counselors organize recovery. Doss et al. (2022) point to integrative behavioral couple therapy as an established intervention for couple distress; it is appropriate to study acceptance, behavior change, and emotional reengagement following betrayal. Moreover, Gottman Method Couple Therapy has demonstrated the potential to recover from an affair, particularly in trust, conflict management, and relational satisfaction (Irvine et al., 2023). This analogy is important as counselors have to strike a balance between accountability and emotional safety. Couple healing literature focuses on meaning-making and deliberate rebuilding relationships after infidelity (Fife et al., 2023), whereas trust repair literature underlines transparency, responsiveness, and consistent behavioral evidence (Giacobbi & Lalot, 2025). Besides, therapists outline infidelity work as a clinically complicated one since couples usually come to the counseling with ambivalence and severe distress in relationships (O'Rourke et al., 2025). Injured partners also define recovery as a decision-making process that involves being clear, safe, and relational over time (Mitchell et al., 2026). Thus, the topic is applicable to marital counseling in the context of a marital crisis and two organized methods of responsible healing.
References
Doss, B. D., Roddy, M. K., Wiebe, S. A., & Johnson, S. M. (2022). A review of the research during 2010–2019 on evidence‐based treatments for couple relationship distress. Journal of marital and family therapy, 48(1), 283–306. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12552
Fife, S. T., Gossner, J. D., Theobald, A., Allen, E., Rivero, A., & Koehl, H. (2023). Couple healing from infidelity: A grounded theory study. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 40(12), 3882–3905. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075231177874
Giacobbi, M., & Lalot, F. (2025). Unpacking trust repair in couples: A systematic literature review. Journal of Family Therapy, 47(1), e12483. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12483
Irvine, T. J., Peluso, P. R., Benson, K., Cole, C., Cole, D., Gottman, J. M., & Schwartz Gottman, J. (2024). A pilot study examining the effectiveness of Gottman method couples therapy over treatment-as-usual approaches for treating couples dealing with infidelity. The Family Journal, 32(1), 81–94. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807231210123
Mitchell, E. A., Brown, K. S., Spencer, J., & Harris, K. (2026). Staying Together After Infidelity: An Exploration of the Decision‐Making Process of Recovery From the Perspective of the Injured Partner. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 52(1), e70110. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70110
O’Rourke, V., McElvaney, R., & Kirrane, M. (2025). Grappling with infidelity: The experiences of therapists. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 24(1), 24–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2024.2391965
