This is a graduate course and students will be expected to research and write papers summarizing in their own words what they have found on current topics from the weekly readings. Research is a theoretical review and application of a topic to a specific industry or field.

The research must be conducted using peer-reviewed trade or academic journals. While Blogs, Wikipedia, encyclopedias, textbooks, popular magazines, newspaper articles, online websites, etc. are helpful for providing background information, these resources are NOT suitable resources for this research assignment.

Assignment Requirements:

1. Choose a research topic from the chapter readings or from the weekly list provided by your professor (see link below for topics).
2. Research/find a minimum at least one (1), preferably two (2) different peer-reviewed articles on your topic from the University of the Cumberlands Library online business database. The article(s) must be current/published within the last five (5) years.
3. Write a three (3) to four (4) page double spaced paper in APA format discussing the findings on your specific topic in your own words. Note – paper length does not include cover page or References page.
4. Structure your paper as follows:
5. Cover page
   1. Overview describing the importance of the research topic in your own words
   2. Purpose of Research of the article in your own words
   3. Review of the Literature summarized in your own words
   4. Conclusion in your own words
   5. Personal Thoughts
   6. References
6. An example paper has been provided for students. Please review this paper for structure and APA formatting.
7. Attach your paper to the appropriate week Discussion Board by the Saturday due date (100 points).
8. Read and respond to at least four (4) other student paper postings by the Sunday due date (20 points).

Week 9 Discussion

As you have seen throughout this course, psychological research can be applied in a variety of forensic psychology settings. Research that is specific to a particular setting and/or population can help the forensic psychology professional refine assessment and treatment techniques in that setting and for that population.

For example, in the past 25 years, incarceration rates have increased dramatically with the largest increase being that of individuals serving a sentence for drug-related crimes. This largely has been the result of the federal government’s “get tough on drugs” policy that began in the early to mid 1980s. As a result, substance abuse treatment in correctional settings has been increasingly popular, especially when incentives are offered to reduce the amount of jail time for the inmate who completes treatment. Today’s treatment of substance abuse in correctional settings is predicated on research that has demonstrated what does and does not work.

Substance abuse treatment is only one of the many areas a forensic psychology professional may be asked to address in a correctional setting. In this assignment you become familiar with research in other areas, all of which may be applied in correctional settings.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the article, “Innovations in Correctional Assessment and Treatment.” Focus on specific areas of mental health assessment and treatment in correctional settings, how these areas are studied, and the results.
• Think about how you might apply the results of this study in a correctional setting.
• Review this week’s DVD program, “Application of Psychological Research – Correctional Settings.” Consider the types of forensic psychology research questions that are relevant to correctional settings.
• Using the library or search engine to select a psychological research study conducted in a correctional setting.
• Review the section(s) on methods and results of the research study you selected and think about what you believe to be the most important contributions of the study for use in correctional settings.
• Consider how a forensic psychology professional might apply the results of this study in a correctional setting.

With these thoughts in mind:

In APA formatting,

1) write a brief description of the research study you selected.
2) then, explain the parts of this study that you believe might be important for forensic psychology professionals working in correctional settings.
3 finally, explain how a forensic psychology professional might use the results of the study in a correctional setting.

Resources:

Ax, R. K., Fagan, T. J., Magaletta, P. R., Morgan, R. D., Nussbaum, D., & White, T. W. (2007). Innovations in correctional assessment and treatment. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 34(7), 893–905.

Kruh, I. P., Frick, P. J., & Clements, C. B. (2005). Historical and personality correlates to the violence patterns of juveniles tried as adults. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 32(1), 69–96.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Understanding forensic psychology research: Application of psychological research – Correctional settings. Baltimore: Author.

This is a graded discussion: 20 points possible

due Mar 18

The following statement was taken from a contemporary account of Germany in 1939:

“Though the Fuhrer’s anti-Semitic program furnished the National Socialist party in the first instances with a nucleus and a rallying-cry, it was swept into office by two things with which the “Jewish Problem” did not have the slightest connection. On the one side was economic distress and the revulsion against Versailles: on the other, chicanery and intrigue…Hitler and his party promised the unhappy Germans a new heaven and a new earth, coupled with the persecution of the Jews. Unfortunately a new heaven and earth cannot be manufactured to order. But a persecution of the Jews can…”

How do you interpret this contemporary account of the persecution of people who are Jewish?

(You may post in this discussion for credit Sunday, March 11-Sunday, March 18.)

In the final week of this course, you will design an intervention to address a specific problem you have identified utilizing social psychological insight. In Week 2, you began this process by crafting a topic statement. This week, you will continue to develop your thoughts by organizing them in the form of an outline, including an annotated bibliography that summarizes your research thus far. (For additional guidance, review the resources for Outlining and creating an Annotated Bibliography, available through the Ashford Writing Center.). Note that the purpose of this assignment, like the previous, is formative in nature. This is your chance to gain valuable feedback on the work you have completed thus far, as well as guidance as you move forward. To take full advantage of this opportunity, be sure you submit a substantive product. Your outline and annotated bibliography should encompass the following:

• Describe social behavior.
• Evaluate a problem.
• Explain relevant social psychological theory.
• Summarize intervention strategies.

The Outline and Annotated Bibliography

• Must be at least 6 to 9 double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Writing Center’s Introduction to APA.
• Must include an Outline and Annotated Bibliography.
• Must utilize academic voice.
  • See the Academic Voiceresource for additional guidance.
• Must address the topic with critical thought.
• Must use at least 10 peer-reviewed scholarly sources. Additional scholarly sources are encouraged.
  • See the Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources table for additional guidance.