Holy Spirit Library

Reference Wiki for Developmental Psychology: APA Style Research Paper

 

Wiki Hint:  Use the right mouse click on any hyperlink to open the web page in a new window.

 

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Paper Requirements:

 

Number of References:  10 references with a minimum of 6 journal articles.

Length:  8-10 typed pages, double-spaced

Citation style:  APA  

 

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Topic Selection –

 

Identify a topic for your paper and submit 3 reference citations in APA style.  

 

*Annotated Bibliography & Outline –

 

Prepare an annotated bibliography in APA style with a minimum of 6 references.  Prepare an outline for your paper. 

 

First Draft for Peer Review –  

Complete the first draft of the paper and bring it to class for peer review.  See the Research Paper Assignment Handout for more details.

 

Final Draft –

 

Revise your paper based on the peer review comments and your own review of the draft. See the Research Paper Assignment Handout for more details.

 

Selecting a Topic:

 

• Selecting a topic can be challenging. Try to find a topic that you like or are curious about. You can use CAVALOG or browse the library's collections to find a topic.  

 

• See also Dr. Gordon's  suggestions for topics.     

 

• Once you have your topic, write it out as a sentence or question  and select the main concepts. 

 

• Read through background information.  Your textbook, library books, Credo Ref, the collection of e-Reference books,  or the DSM IV from Psychiatry Online,  can help in this process. 

   

 

 

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Finding Articles:

 

The primary periodical databases, PsycArticles, PsycINFO, and Academic Search Premier are available by selecting the subject Social Sciences from the Databases link on the

 

Library's homepage.    Secondary periodical databases, Education Research Complete and ERIC are available by selecting the Education subject link.    

 

• PsycArticles: Learn more about the database.  View a tutorial.
•  PsycINFO:     Learn more about the database.  View a  tutorial. 
• ProQuest Psychology Journals:  Learn more about the database. View a tutorial
•  Academic Search Premier:   Learn more about the database. View a tutorial.  (Use the scholarly peer reviewed limiter)
•  Education Research Complete:  Learn more about the database.    (Use the scholarly peer reviewed limiter) 
• ERIC:  Learn more about the database.  View a tutorial. (Make sure to limit your results to Journal Articles)

 

Information Sheet:  (Resources and database search tips)  

Developmental+Psychology+2008[1].doc 

 

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Writing Helps:

 

APA Style:   The preferred style for the Social Sciences. 

 

Style Guides:  APA and others.  (Check with your instructor to make sure you're using the appropriate citation style)  

 

The Writing Center :  Located in Room 110 of the Iadarola Center for Science Education and Technology.

 

 

Examples of Research Papers and Outlines:    

 

Sample APA paper from Purdue

 

Sample APA paper from the Bedford Handbook

 

Sample APA paper from Illinois State University 

  

Sample Sentence outline from Oakton Community College 

 

 

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*Annotated Bibliography

What is an Annotated Bibliography 

An annotated bibliography is a bibliography that includes a short summary of a publication's content in addition to the complete citation.

The summary is intended to inform the reader of content, viewpoint, and relevance to the subject of the bibliography. 

The bibliography follows a particular citation style; for example APA.    

 

Annotations should inform the reader of the following:   

1. What is the objective or purpose for writing the article or conducting the research? 
2. What method of obtaining data or conducting research did the author use? 
3. Who were the research participants or subjects? 
4. What were the major findings? 
5. What can be concluded from these findings?

 

Purpose of an Annotated Bibliography

Writing an annotated bibiliography has several purposes: 

1. It will introduce you to the scholarly and professional journal literature within psychology     
2. It is the first step in finding a workable and manageable topic for your paper
3. It will introduce you to the American Psychological Association (APA) citation style 

 

Requirements

Annotate a minimum of six articles from the scholarly/professional literature according to the following guidelines:  

1. The articles must have been written within the last five years: 2000-2008. 
2. The articles must come from at least four different periodicals; six different periodicals is best.
3. Write the bibliography and each article citation according to APA style. 

 Information Literacy Presentation: Research Process, Due Dates, etc.Dev Psych Gordon 2008.ppt 

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Credits:

PsycArticles tutorial ©: Alvin Sherman Library, Nova Southeastern University and the Broward Cty. Board of County Commissioners http://www.nova.edu/library/main/

 

PsycINFO tutorial Â©: Carol Howe, Gabriele Library, Immaculata University  http://library.immaculata.edu/

 

ProQuest Psychology journals ©:  Alvin Sherman Library, Nova Southeastern University and the Broward Cty. Board of County Commissioners http://www.nova.edu/library/main/

Academic Search Premier tutorial ©: EbscoHost  http://support.epnet.com/

ERIC tutorial ©: Paul Betty, Regis University Library  http://www.regis.edu/library.htm

APA formatting style guide ©: The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue University http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Sample Annotated Bibliography exercise ©: A. Schwelm, Holy Spirit Library, Cabrini College www.cabrini.edu/library