FOR LADY HAWKINS ONLY
9-26-19 (due date)
Final Project Outline
This assignment is an analysis of the neuropsychological disorder that supports your Final Project. You will create an outline of the main points of your Final Project, using your selected neuropsychological disorder as approved by the instructor in Week One. The Final Project Outline should be organized into three sections, each main section having required components. This outline is both an analysis of your topic as well as a tool to ensure that you are on the right track with your Final Project. The more information you provide, the more feedback you will receive from your instructor, which will be helpful as you write your Final Project.
Please note: This assignment may incorporate information from your Week One assignment, but it must expand on that information. Additionally, this assignment must be submitted in formal APA outline style (not in paragraph form).
Final Project- Outline Components
Introduction
Succinct thesis statement (one or more sentences detailing the focus of your Final Project and informing the reader about your topic and the scope of your paper)Define the type of disorderNeurologicalPsychologicalNeuropsychologicalDiagnostic criteriaWhat components must be present for the disorder to be diagnosed?Include physical and psychological signs and symptoms. Reason(s) why you chose this topicPersonal experienceProfessional experienceOther reasonEpidemiologyWho is affected?Are they young/old?Male/femaleRural/urbanEthnicitiesDiscussion
Detailed description of the disorderSigns and symptomsEpidemiologyAny subtypes of the disorderDetailed description of the natural history of the disorderHow the disorder develops over time with treatmentHow the disorder develops over time without treatmentMethods used to diagnose, evaluate, and manage the disorderInitial diagnosis (e.g., physical exam, imaging and/or laboratory testing, special studies, psychological evaluation, psychometric testing) Ongoing management (e.g., physical exam, imaging and/or laboratory testing, special studies, psychological evaluation, psychometric testing)Risk factorsGeneticsLifestyleEnvironmental factorsOther causative factorsKnownTheorizedNervous system structures and/or pathways involved in the disorder (detailed information regarding the underlying pathology as it applies to these structures and functional pathways)Neurotransmitter(s) and receptor system(s) involved in the pathology of the disorderCurrent treatment optionsDrug (pharmacologic) therapiesNonpharmacologic therapies (including psychological and other therapeutic services)Type of care providers (e.g., medical, nursing, therapists)Type of healthcare setting (e.g., hospital, home, outpatient, nursing facility)Future areas of researchTreatment optionsEvaluation and diagnostic methods for initial diagnosisIncreasing knowledge relating to etiology and pathologic processesConclusion
The conclusion reaffirms your initial thesis statementThe conclusion may be one or more paragraphs that use the material you have discussed in the paper to support the validity of your synthesis and elaborate on the theme of your paper
Writing the Final Project Outline
The Final Project Outline: Must be a minimum of three to four double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.Must include a title page with the following:Title of paperStudent’s nameCourse name and numberInstructor’s nameDate submittedMust begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.Must include section headings in approved APA style, in order to organize your paper.Main section headings include: Introduction, Discussion, and Conclusion.Plan to utilize these sections as first-level headings in your Final Project, formatted according to APA style, to organize your paper.Each main heading and all subheadings should include at least a two- to three- sentence description (use complete sentences). Do not simply write the heading and a few words of description.Must include in-text citations for all statements of facts obtained through your research.Remember that direct quotes (identical phrases or sentences taken from a source) require in-text citations with appropriate formatting.Statements of opinion should be clearly stated as such, and include a rationale to support why you hold this opinion (e.g., personal or professional experience, your research findings).Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.Must use at least six to eight scholarly sources that were published with the last five years, including a minimum of four peer-reviewed original research studies.In general, dictionaries and encyclopedias are not considered appropriate as resources for academic writing.It is assumed that these references will be included in your Final Project. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
10-3-16 (due date)
Neuropsychological Disorder
This week, you will analyze a neuropsychological disorder that is different from the topic you chose for your Final Project. Select a neuropsychological disorder from the following list, which is based on the DSM-5: SchizophreniaMajor depressive disorderBipolar disorderAnxietyChoose and focus on one of the anxiety disorders, e.g., generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder.Post-traumatic stress disorderObsessive-compulsive disorderSubstance use disorder (substance abuse and addiction)Provide both an overview of this topic plus a focus on a single drug of your choice.Neurodevelopmental disorder (autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)Neurocognitive disorderChoose and focus on one of the neurocognitive disorders, e.g., one of the dementias.Neurological disorderChoose and focus on one neurological disorder, e.g., multiple sclerosis, spina bifida.Sleep-wake disorderChoose and focus on one of the sleep-wake disorders.Feeding and eating disorderChoose and focus on one of the feeding and eating disorders.Sexual dysfunction or gender dysphoria
Choose and focus on one of the conditions in these categories.Other neuropsychosocial disorderThis option must be approved in advance by the instructor before your assignment is submitted.
After choosing a disorder, your assignment should include an examination of the following factors as they relate to your selected disorder: A description of the pathological features and clinical criteria for diagnosisThe biopsychological theories of the pathologyNervous system structure(s), neurotransmitter(s), receptor(s), and pathways implicated in the disorderPossible causes (etiology), including genetic, environmental, familial, lifestyle, and other identifiable risk factorsEpidemiology of the disorder (demographics of those affected)Clinical presentation and natural history of the conditionPotential complications (neurologic, psychiatric, and other medical or nonmedical)Current treatment options (pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic)Future directions for research and clinical management
In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis of your paper will be on the following neuroscience aspects of the disorder: Theories of etiology (causes)Associated factors in development of the disorder (genetic, environmental, familial, lifestyle)Pathology (abnormalities of physical structure and function, including genetic and biochemical aspects)Treatment options (pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, with rationales for use based on current understanding of the disorder)Diagnostic and research technologies employed in clinical diagnosis, care, and basic science research1
Your assignment must include an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement as well as a conclusion summarizing your synthesis of the above issues relating to the disorder. Your paper must be three to four double-spaced pages (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Utilize a minimum of three to four scholarly sources that are documented in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your research will be used to provide references that contribute evidence-based information regarding the biologic and psychological features of the disorder. You may cite and reference your textbook and other course materials; however, these will not fulfill the resource requirement.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
10-17-18 (due date)
Final Project : Biopsychological Analysis of a Neuropsychological Disorder
In your Final Project, you will synthesize an overview of the major theories relating to the pathology of a disorder as well as provide a detailed discussion of the etiology (causes) and clinical interventions, using research to support your analysis. Your topic will be the neuropsychological disorder that was selected and approved by the instructor in your Week One assignment, and for which you provided an outline in the Week Two assignment.
In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis of your paper will be on the neuroscience aspects of the disorder, to include: Theories of etiology (causes)Associated factors in development of the disorder (genetic, environmental, familial, lifestyle)Pathology (abnormalities of physical structure and function, including genetic and biochemical aspects)Treatment options (pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, with rationales for use based on current understanding of the disorder)Diagnostic and research technologies employed in clinical diagnosis, care, and basic science research
Your research will include a minimum of six to eight peer-reviewed sources, which provide evidence-based information regarding the biological and psychological features of the disorder and were published within the last five years. At least four of your references should be peer-reviewed publications of original research studies. To justify your assertions, provide in-text citations for all factual statements taken from your research, with corresponding references drawn from scholarly sources. All citations and sources are to be documented according to APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center, and should support and enhance your analysis of the selected disorder. Sources may include review articles, original research articles, information from government agencies (e.g., National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration) or professional societies (e.g., professional society position papers or clinical practice guidelines).
Final Project- Components
Section I: Introduction
This section should provide a general introduction to the topic as well as an overview of the background and history of the disorder. Further, it should provide a succinct thesis statement of the purpose and overall direction of the paper. For instance, if your paper will have a large focus on the role of particular neurotransmitters in the etiology of the disorder as a rationale for treatment options, you should indicate this in the introduction. Finally, this section should provide demographic data that indicates the prevalence of the disorder in both general and specific populations.
Specific required components of the Introduction: Succinct thesis statement (one or more sentences detailing the focus of your Final Project and informing the reader about your topic and the scope of your paper)Define the type of disorderNeurologicalPsychologicalNeuropsychologicalDiagnostic criteriaWhat components must be present for the disorder to be diagnosed?Include physical and psychological signs and symptoms. Reason(s) why you chose this topicPersonal experienceProfessional experienceOther reasonEpidemiologyWho is affected?Are they young/old?Male/femaleRural/urbanEthnicities
Section II: Discussion
This section should make up the majority of the Final Project in terms of size. Here, you will expand upon the main aspects of the disorder and provide details relating to the disorder and its management. This section should provide specific and detailed information (Reminder: All statements of fact require an in-text citation). Cited/referenced sources should be used to support your analysis of the components of the discussion.
Specific required components of the Discussion section: Detailed description of the disorderSigns and symptomsEpidemiologyAny subtypes of the disorderDetailed description of the natural history of the disorderHow the disorder develops over time with treatmentHow the disorder develops over time without treatmentMethods used to diagnose, evaluate, and manage the disorderInitial diagnosis (e.g., physical exam, imaging and/or laboratory testing, special studies, psychological evaluation, psychometric testing) Ongoing management (e.g., physical exam, imaging and/or laboratory testing, special studies, psychological evaluation, psychometric testing)Risk factorsGeneticsLifestyleEnvironmental factorsOther causative factorsKnownTheorizedNervous system structures and/or pathways involved in the disorder (detailed information regarding the underlying pathology as it applies to these structures and functional pathways)Neurotransmitter(s) and receptor system(s) involved in the pathology of the disorderCurrent treatment optionsDrug (pharmacologic) therapiesNonpharmacologic therapies (including psychological and other therapeutic services)Type of care providers (e.g., medical, nursing, therapists)Type of healthcare setting (e.g., hospital, home, outpatient, nursing facility)Future areas of researchTreatment optionsEvaluation and diagnostic methods for initial diagnosisIncreasing knowledge relating to etiology and pathologic processes
Section III: Conclusion
Provide a concluding summary of your findings regarding your selected disorder. The conclusion is a summarization of information that has already been presented. Typically, if you mention something in the conclusion section of an academic paper, you should have already mentioned this aspect of the topic earlier in the paper.
Specific required components of the Conclusion section: The conclusion reaffirms your initial thesis statement.The conclusion may be one or more paragraphs. Use the material you have discussed in the paper to support the validity of your synthesis and elaborate on the theme of your paper.
