Research Article Summary 

Principles of Human Growth and Development, Students who successfully complete the course will meet the following objectives: 

I. Written and Oral Communication—demonstrate the skills of accessing, evaluating, and communicating current research pertaining to human development topics by engaging in class discussions, individual or collaborative presentations, and/or written assignments that are well organized, cohesive, and logical; 

II. Critical Analysis and Reasoning— apply major human development theoretical perspectives to maximize potentials and/or resolve developmental issues that typically occur in each phase of life; 

III. Information Literacy— evaluate information on human development found in print, information technology, film, television, radio and other resources by examining the authenticity, currency, and validity of that information;

IV. Local and Global Diversity—analyze the similarities and differences of diverse multicultural, international, and global perspectives in such areas as parenting styles, sexual expression, relationship patterns, treatment of different age groups, gender roles, death, dying, bereavement, and other human development topics; 

V. Personal and Professional Ethics—apply the data, concepts, and theories learned in human development to one’s personal, relational, social and/or workplace situations.

Assignment Directions:

Students are to write a multi-paragraph summary based on the different parts of the article (see below for more detailed information). 

Papers should include individual paragraphs based on the following headings:

• Introduction– An introductory  paragraph introduces the reader to the topic of your paper and states the      thesis of the research. For the      purpose of this assignment, the introductory paragraph should describe the      research topic presented within the selected article as well as the main  points discussed throughout the article.
• Rationale– Trace the logical      reasons for this research based upon the findings of previous      research. In other words, what      prior findings discussed in the selected article led the researchers to      the current experiment? For example, if researchers wanted to      do a study about a new medication to be given to children, then part of      the rationale (e.g. reasoning) might be that no one has researched the      medication on children before. Another possibility could be that the medications currently used with      children have been found to have serious side effects.
• Methods– Describe the      subjects, procedures, and measurement tools used in the study.
• Results– What were the      findings of the researchers? Although you are not expected to interpret advanced statistics, it      is reasonable that you understand the summative statements in the section.
• Discussion/Conclusion– What does the      experimental evidence add to the existing knowledge? How did the authors critique their own      research?
• Critical      Thinking– In what ways do the research findings fit with the content you      have learned in Human Growth and Development? How might the evidence impact people      during their lives? How does this      research apply to diversity (e.g., age, gender, race, ethnicity, and/or      religion)?

Papers should include a reference page with the article citation. 

Your paper should be written in American Psychological Association (APA) format. It is necessary to write an abstract for this assignment. 

Reminders:

• Be sure that your paper includes at least six paragraphs identifying      each of the research elements noted above.
• Remember the rules for quotation and citation!
• You may not use quotes for more than 30% of your  paper.
• Please spell and grammar check your papers. 
• Proofread your paper to insure your sentences  make sense.