Final Course Paper: Research Study Critique
The Final Paper For This Course Is A Research Study Critique For This
The Final Paper for This Course Is A Research Study Critique. For this assignment, the topic is DEPRESSION and the field of study is CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY. The research study that you choose to critique must: 1. Be an actual research study, not a review. 2. Contain a literature review of research related to the topic. 3. Have a clearly stated research question (or questions) and a hypothesis. 4. Collect data for analysis. 5. Conduct some type of analysis on the data collected. 6. Interpret the results of the analysis. 7. Discuss the implications of the results of the study.
Your Final Paper should be eight to ten pages in length, excluding title and reference pages, and formatted according to APA style with citations from a minimum of six to eight scholarly, peer-reviewed sources that were published within the last five years. Please refer to the Ashford University Library and Writing Center for more information on APA and scholarly sources. Follow the instructions below to organize and write your paper. The Final Paper must contain all components found in an actual published research study, with each section summarized and critiqued using your course knowledge.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The introduction should present a general overview of depression, its significance within clinical psychology, and explain why this topic was chosen for study and critique. The research study being critiqued should also be introduced here. Establish the importance of understanding depression, especially in contemporary psychological practice, and outline the scope of the paper by briefly indicating the structure of the critique.
Literature Review
This section will analyze the literature the original study referenced. The critique will focus on the relevance and comprehensiveness of the reviewed studies, identifying any biases or gaps, such as studies that might have been omitted. It will examine how well the literature review supports the research questions and hypotheses. An effective critique will consider whether the cited studies provide a balanced overview of the current state of depression research in clinical psychology, and if the review acknowledges conflicting findings or debates within the field.
Methods
The methods section will detail the research design, including whether the study employed qualitative or quantitative approaches. Critical evaluation will involve examining the appropriateness of the experimental or quasi-experimental design, sampling procedures, sample size, and the variables involved—both independent and dependent. The critique will also scrutinize the measures used, the statistical methods applied, and any assumptions noted by the researchers. Suggestions for alternative methods or improvements will be presented, emphasizing how methodology influences validity and reliability.
Results
This section covers the presentation of the study’s findings. The critique will focus on how the results were analyzed and interpreted, including the appropriateness of the statistical tests and whether the data support the conclusions. Limitations within the analysis, such as potential biases, insufficient power, or misinterpretation of data, will be discussed. The clarity of reporting and whether the results answer the research questions posed are also evaluated.
Discussion
The discussion will synthesize the overall effectiveness of the study. The critique will assess the strengths, such as methodological rigor, relevance, and contribution to understanding depression. It will also identify weaknesses, including any limitations in design, analysis, or interpretation. Alternative directions for future research will be proposed, building on identified gaps or unresolved issues. The critique will evaluate the extent to which the original authors’ interpretations and conclusions are justified and appropriate, and suggest potential improvements for future studies.
The paper must be between eight and ten pages in length, formatted according to APA standards, include a title page with the specified information, and incorporate at least six to eight scholarly sources from the last five years. All references must be properly formatted in APA style, and citations within the paper should support the critique and analysis presented. The paper should begin with a clear introductory paragraph containing a thesis statement and conclude with a reaffirming conclusion, demonstrating critical engagement with the research study and its contribution to clinical psychology’s understanding of depression.