Psychology Test Paper

Submitted By bib2367
Words: 937
Pages: 4

Journal articles are one of the ways in which psychologists in the field communicate with one another about their research findings. It is important to be able to identify the main findings, decipher the research methods, and understand the implications of the research. Additionally, it is important to be able to recognize the differences, strengths, and weaknesses between correlational and experimental research.

Your Assignment:
You will select two research articles from peer-reviewed journals in psychology. One of the articles will cover a correlational study, and the other article will cover an experimental study. Your two articles should discuss roughly the same psychological topic, to facilitate comparisons. You will analyze, compare, and contrast these two articles. In your paper, you will:
1. BRIEFLY summarize of the purpose and primary findings of each article. What were the researchers hoping to learn, and what did they find?
2. Fully explain the terms and concepts of research methods used in each study. This will be the longest portion of your paper. Specifically, you will:
a. Identify and explain the type of research. Explain if this study is a correlation or an experiment.
b. State the hypothesis.
c. Identify and explain the independent and dependent variables.
d. Identify and explain the population and the sample.
e. Discuss if the sample is representative. Specifically explain any flaws or problems you see with the sample. Explain how the sample might be improved.
f. Identify and explain the experimental and control groups, if applicable. If this does not apply to one of your articles, explain why.
g. Discuss the conclusions the researcher drew based on the data and critique these conclusions. Were they warranted? 3. Compare and contrast the two articles you selected. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each. Be sure to discuss the differences between correlational and experimental research.
Throughout your paper, be sure to justify all your answers. Fully explain how you know or why you believe what you have written.
Throughout your paper, make sure to use the correct psychological terminology, and take care to thoroughly define and explain all psychological concepts.
Throughout your paper, DO NOT use ANY direct quotes from the textbook, lecture, or your journal article. You should be able to paraphrase important concepts in your own words.
Remember to cite and reference!

Finding Articles for Your Paper:
To locate an appropriate research article, follow these simple steps:
Go to the library’s resource page: http://www.saddleback.edu/Library/
If you are on campus, click on Journals/Magazines ON-CAMPUS in the menu on the left side of the page. If you are off campus, click on Journals/Magazines OFF-CAMPUS in the menu on the left side of the page, and sign in.
Scroll down and click on PsychARTICLES.
Once you are in the PsychATICLES database, enter in key words of topics that interest you and/or the name of the journal you wish to use. You must select a journal article that has been published within the last 5 years from one of the following peer-reviewed empirical journals:
Developmental Psychology Journal of Educational Psychology
Psychology and Aging Journal of Experimental Psychology
Journal of Abnormal Psychology Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Journal of Applied Psychology Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology
Select two articles from your search results. Export/Save your chosen article or Email it to yourself. ALSO print out the articles – you will turn them in with your paper.
I STRONGLY suggest that you run your chosen journal articles by me before you start writing your paper.
If you choose an article that presents more than one study, you should analyze only the first study in the article for this assignment.
While you