I. Title Page
II. Introduction
1. Start by defining your dependent variable
a) Define your dependent variable
b) Describe how psychologists typically operationalize and measure this construct
2. Build an argument for why it is important to study this topic (dependent variable)
a) Describe why this topic is important?
1) Briefly describe the research that supports these assertions
b) Tell your reader the purpose of your study (e.g., “The purpose of this study is to examine how…”). The purpose should be related to the discussed theory or theories.
3. Literature review and argument formulation
a) Review 5 empirical research articles on the independent and dependent variable
1) Provide a summary statement of the results of the research you will review [e.g., “Previous research has provided (strong support, mixed support, or no support) for the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.”]
i. Review (in some detail) the 5 studies that form the foundation for your summary statement (See study summary guidelines posted on the web for more information).
2) Again, summarize the results of these studies for the reader
4. Describe why further research is necessary on this topic.
a) Describe how your study logically follows from the research you just reviewed.
1) Tell the reader what we don’t know about the topic
5. State the specific purpose of your study.
a) Describe how your study will inform us about that which we don’t yet know.
6. State your hypotheses
III. References
1. Your paper should have at least 8 different references from either book chapters or empirical research articles
a) You have at least 1 reference defining the dependent variable and stating how it is operationalized.
b) You should have at least 2 references for describing the nature and seriousness of the problem you are discussing (2nd paragraph in Introduction section)
c) You should review 5 empirical research articles for the Literature Review section of the introduction.