Project

Sensee Faraj  

Instructions: Replace the example wording in brackets below with your wording for each prompt.     

IND101 Milestone 4 Template  

1. Paraphrasing activity:

Quote from source (at least 5 sentences):

“As a middle-income country, China is experiencing a significant demographic shift characterized by an aging population. This shift has heightened the risk of depression among its older citizens, particularly in rural areas. Extensive studies consistently underscore a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in China, with rural older adults being particularly vulnerable. For instance, a nationwide study disclosed a substantial 30.72% prevalence of depressive symptoms among older adults in 2018, notably higher in rural areas (34.02% vs. 21.50%). In rural communities, the growing of 'empty nesters'—a term referring to older adults living either alone or only with a spouse, without the companionship of children or other family members—raises additional concerns”

Paraphrase of the quote above (2-3 sentences):

The increase in China’s older population is leading to more depression among elderly people in rural areas (Gao et al., 2024, p. 2). Studies have shown that depression is very common among older people in China, especially those living in rural areas. In a national study from 2018, it was found that depression was more common among rural seniors, as 34.02% of them had symptoms compared to 21.50% in urban areas (Gao et al., 2024, p. 2). Many older adults end up living by themselves because their children have moved out, which is called empty nesting. Most elderly people live either on their own or with their spouse, and the number of seniors is increasing each year.

2. Integrating a short quote activity:

Gao et al. (2024) state that “Living arrangements, as a critical structural element of social support, influence the mental health of older adults and may contribute to depression” (p. 2). It shows that how older adults live, either by themselves or with others, is an important part of their social support, and it can greatly affect their mental well-being and sometimes cause depression.

3. Current list of 4 references in APA format (with a URL included):

Chong, T. W., Curran, E., Ames, D., Lautenschlager, N. T., & Castle, D. J. (2020). Mental health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from history to guide our future. International Psychogeriatrics, 32(10), 1249-1250. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610220001003

Gao, Q., Lei, C., Wei, X., Peng, L., Wang, X., Yue, A., & Shi, Y. (2024). Exploring the interplay of living arrangements, social support, and depression among older adults in rural northwest China. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 3297. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20737-w

Mandy, H. M., Cao, Y., Fung, S. S., Kwan, G. S., Zita, C. K., & Shum, D. H. (2025). Intolerance of uncertainty, aging, and anxiety and mental health concerns: A scoping review and meta-analysis . Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 102975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.102975

Nutakor, J. A., Zhou, L., Larnyo, E., Addai-Dansoh, S., & Cui, Y. (2024). Impact of health information seeking behavior and digital health literacy on self-perceived health and depression symptoms among older adults in the United States. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 31080. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82187-z

Pincus, H. A., Pike, K. M., & Spaeth-Rublee, B. (2021). Training Future Leaders to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Issues in Older Adults—The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program . Generations, 44(4), 1-6. https://www-jstor-org.vlib.excelsior.edu/stable/48631286

Sensee Faraj

Instructions: Replace the example wording in brackets below with your wording for each prompt.    

IND101 Milestone 3 Template

1. Thesis statement:  

Mental health care for older adults should be reformed with policies that cover economic difficulties, improve community care and make use of digital tools, since present methods are not meeting the rising needs of older people, leaving several seniors at risk financially and lacking the help that technologies can bring.

2. In-depth evaluation of one source:

Source (not required to be in APA format, but must include author, date, title, and a link):

Gao, Qiufeng; Lei, Cuiyao; Wei, Xiaofei; Peng, Lanxi; Wang, Xintong; Yue, Ai; Shi, Yaojiang. (2024). Exploring the interplay of living arrangements, social support, and depression among older adults in rural northwest China. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20737-w

· Relevance: This source relates directly to my topic because it examines the impact of social support on the mental well-being of older adults. Research from the study helps back up my assertion that improving community assistance in living helps prevent depression. The study highlights the ways in which people’s lives in society play a role in mental health among elders, which is vital for planning future mental health care.

· Authority: The authors are recognized in their areas and have a background in both public health and gerontology research. Qiufeng Gao and the group specializing in aging and health outcomes have published in numerous well-known journals. The research presented in BMC Public Health is reliable since the journal has strict processes and is reviewed by peers.

· Currency: Published recently in 2024, this data provides the latest evidence on the subject. This becomes very important for mental health studies, considering the rapid progress in identifying correct and effective approaches. This information is up to date because the publication date is relatively recent.

· Objectivity: The study is carried out in a standard scientific way, including collecting data, analyzing it with statistics and admitting all its problems. There are no competing interests mentioned by the authors. Moreover, the study was carried out by academic centers and not influenced by commercial interests. Since the research is statistical and appears in a peer-reviewed journal, it is analyzed objectively.

· Verifiability: This article provides a thorough description of how the research was undertaken, statistical calculations and all important sources used. Everything about the research design, sample size and the methods to collect data is made clear, so the study can be repeated. By clearly outlining their methods for analysis and admitting the study’s weaknesses, the authors increase the possibility of verifying their findings.

3. One source to omit and why:

Chong, Terence W. H.; Curran, Eleanor; Ames, David; Lautenschlager, Nicola T.; Castle, David J. (2020). Mental health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from history to guide our future. International Psychogeriatrics. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610220001003

This source gives helpful insights regarding mental health during the pandemic, but I have not included it since its main concern is with immediate crisis actions and less about setting up ongoing improvements for elder mental health care. The pandemic context is significant, but does not directly relate to the main aspects I focus on in my thesis. In addition, my other references discuss current problems and possible solutions that are not limited to the pandemic.

4. Reflection:  

I struggled to develop my thesis statement because I began by focusing only on costs. Examining the sources showed that a multidimensional approach involving finances, communities and technology is necessary for future elder mental health. I discovered in my research that social support plays a direct role in mental health, while digital tools can provide solutions for people who lack access. I learned to analyze more than the topics of sources by looking at their methods and the journals in which they were published. I found it surprising that so much modern research is focused on using technology with the elderly in care settings. Now, I will look into more materials discussing how policies are carried out and how different approaches affect the budget. I am wondering how I should combine depth and breadth in my research paper.

[Student Name] 

Instructions: Replace the example wording in brackets below with your wording for each prompt.    

IND101 Milestone 5 Template

Introduction paragraph (approx. 150–200 words):

[Example: In the year 2019, plug-in electric vehicles represented less than 2 percent of all vehicle sales in the United States. Meanwhile, other nations, like China and Norway, have eclipsed the United States in electric vehicle market share (Graham et al., 2021). There is no doubt from the international scientific community that carbon emissions from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles contribute significantly to climate change, and that electric vehicles represent a viable strategy to curb the automotive industry’s negative impact on the environment. Why then do electric vehicle sales still lag in the United States and what can be done to increase sales? The US government should increase the incentives for the production and consumption of electric cars because the United States is falling behind other nations in market share of electric cars, they are still too expensive for most consumers, and research demonstrates that electric cars are effective at reducing carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change.]

Outline:

I. Supporting Point 1: [Example: The United States is falling behind other nations in market share of electric cars]

A. Topic sentence: [Example: The United States, once a world leader in automotive innovation, is quickly falling behind other nations in electric vehicle market share.]

B. Supporting detail: [Example: The largest EV market is China, with more than half of the world’s EV sales (Sperling, 2018).]

C. Supporting detail: [Example: European Parliament and EU set 2020 targets for EVs and charging stations in all EU member states (Noori & Tatari, 2016).]

II. Supporting Point 2: [Example: Electric cars are too expensive for most consumers]

A. Topic sentence: [Continue adding content here and below as indicated in the examples above]

B. Supporting detail:

C. Supporting detail:

III. Supporting Point 3: [Example: Research demonstrates that electric cars are effective at reducing carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change.]

A. Topic sentence:

B. Supporting detail:

C. Supporting detail:

IV. Countering Opposing Perspectives

A. Topic sentence: [Example: Some researchers have argued that the shift from traditional vehicles to electric vehicles should be slowed, not quickened, because of their potentially harmful effects on the environment.]

B. Supporting detail: [Example: Electric vehicles are powered by batteries charged by electricity, so some argue that the benefits of EVs are lessened because of the pollution caused by the “dirty, coal-fired power plant” needed to create the energy (Sperling, 2018, p.12).]

C. Refuting detail: [Example: However, as we move away from coal toward renewable energy like wind and solar power or nuclear energy, this negative effect is eliminated. For example, Sperling (2018) noted that “in France, where most electricity comes from nuclear power, the environmental benefits are enormous” (p 13).]

V. Conclusion

A. Review central ideas presented in body and make connection to thesis: [Example: It is clear from the research that a transition to electric vehicles will significantly reduce carbon emissions and contribute positively toward the global fight against climate change. However, in order to facilitate this transition, the US government needs to increase production and consumption incentives for electric vehicles since the US is falling behind other nations in its market share of EVs, and American consumers are slow to shift from traditional vehicles because of the cost.]

B. Closing thoughts: [Example: Climate change is a serious, global challenge affecting all of humankind, and every step toward the transition to electric vehicles is a step in the right direction.]

References

[Examples:

Dua, R., & White, K. (2020). Understanding latent demand for hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles using large-scale longitudinal survey data of US new vehicle buyers. Energy Efficiency, 13(6), 1063–1074. http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=145259635&site=eds-live&scope=site  

Graham, J. D., Belton, K. B., & Suri, X. (2021). How China beat the US in electric vehicle manufacturing and why it’s time for the United States to get serious about industrial policies. Issues in Science & Technology, 37(2), 72–79. http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=149318105&site=eds-live&scope=site  

Noori, M., & Tatari, O. (2016). Development of an agent-based model for regional market penetration projections of electric vehicles in the United States. Energy, 96, 215–230. http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edselp&AN=S0360544215016606&site=eds-live&scope=site  

Sperling, D. (2018). Electric vehicles: Approaching the tipping point. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 74(1), 11–18. http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=127161734&site=eds-live&scope=site]