The purpose of this two-part assessment is to allow you to demonstrate your skills in critical evaluation of research and to convey research findings for a (specified) audience of non-psychologists.
Part 1
A critical review of a paper (select from the list below), focussing on method, results and implications.
Word count for this section: 1250 words
Part 2:
In part 2, you will write a ‘lay summary’ for a specified audience, to convey the essence of the research in a way that non-psychologists can understand and relate to.
Word Count for this section: 500 words
Total word count: 1750 words.
How will we help you develop the skills you need?
Critical review of research papers is embedded throughout the module, but there will be opportunities to use critical evaluation tools and to practice in seminars 1-3
Lay summary: Make sure you watch the screencast on blackboard which includes tips for writing summaries. Opportunities to practice identifying relevant information and writing for different audiences will be offered in seminars in weeks 7-10.
ASSESSMENT TOPICS
Choose one of the following four areas. Please note the target audience for the lay summary differs from area to area.
Pain
1. Paper: Poojari, S., et al (2023). Effectiveness of integrated approach of yoga therapy versus usual care in management on chronic low back pain patients: A randomized controlled pilot study. Pain Pract.,PMID: 37724772
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/papr.13296)
2. Target audience; Back pain patients looking for advice on non-pharmaceutical treatments.
Borderline Personal Disorder
1. Paper: McCauley, E., et al (2018). Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents at high risk of suicide. JAMA Psychiatry 75: 8. 777-785
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2685324
2. Target audience: adolescents with these problems, ie. Those who display repeat self-harm, emotional dysregulation, relationship instability.
Eating disorders
1. Paper: Le Grange, D., et al. (2022). Enhanced cognitive-behavior therapy and family-based treatment for adolescents with an eating disorder: a non-randomized effectiveness trial. Psychological Medicine,52 2520-2530
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/enhanced-cognitivebehavior-therapy-and-familybased-treatment-for-adolescents-with-an-eating-disorder-a-nonrandomized-effectiveness-trial/E83EF5F616A380536F2B5440EBE80AA5
2: Target audience: Parents looking for psychological therapy for their child with a low-weight eating disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa).
Dementia
1. Paper: Addis D. & Tippett L (2004) Memory of myself: Autobiographical memory and identity in Alzheimer’s disease. Memory, 12:1, 56-74
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/09658210244000423
2.Target audience: Carers of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
Part 1 Critical Review (1250 words)
The overarching criteria the marker will look for includes your understanding of the material presented, and the clarity of your critical review.
a) Set the context by summarising the key aims and findings of the paper in a paragraph. Note that this paragraph must be included in the word count.
b) Describe the research question, say whether it has been clearly articulated and assess whether it has been justified in the introduction to the paper.
c) Critically review the methods, analysis and discussion. You may want to include some or all of the following areas, as well as others you feel are important.
– Relevant ethical issues
– Design
– Participants
– Measures
– Analysis
– The authors’ identification of the advantages and disadvantages of the study
Part 2: Lay summary (500 words)
The purpose of the second part of the assessment is to show how research can be disseminated to an audience of non-psychologists, including adolescents, carers or managers.
Your summary should allow your audience to appreciate the importance of the research and to know enough about the methodology to understand the findings and their implications. Write using plain jargon-free language and avoid technical terms and unnecessary detail to ensure the summary is clear and concise. You may need to adapt what you include, or the language you use for the needs of the particular audience you are writing for.
FORMATTING
The assessment should be written in 11 or 12 point font, with a 1.5 line spacing throughout
Please note there is no +10%/-10% leeway with regard to the word count. 1750 words is the maximum; there is no minimum word count. Use headers to differentiate part 1 and part 2. You are free to use sub-headers within each part if you would like to.
SUBMISSION
Submit via the assessment submission point on Blackboard. Please choose the submission point that corresponds with your topic (eating disorders, chronic pain, borderline personality disorder, dementia). Submit both parts in one document.
