Research Proposal

In this assignment you are going to write your hypothesis and develop an outline for your introduction. Follow the steps outlined below to complete this assessment.
Step 1
Research proposal on – Abnormal psychology: Traditional psycho-pharmaceuticals versus counselling therapies in treating depression or anxiety
Articles associated with Abnormal Psychology Topic
The Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy in the Outpatient Treatment of Major Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial – Ellen Driessen, Henricus L. Van, Frank J. Don, Jaap Peen (09/2013) [pdf download]
A review of lifestyle factors that contribute to important pathways associated with major depression: Diet, sleep and exercise – Adrian L. Lopresti, Sean D. Hood (2013) [pdf download]
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Duloxetine Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Nonmajor Chronic Depression – David J. Hellerstein,Jonathan W. Stewart, Patrick J. McGrath, Amy Withers (2012) [pdf download]
Depression Interventions Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Older Adults: A Systematic Review Across 20 Years – Dahlia Fuentes, María P. Aranda (2012) [pdf download]
Effects of Race and Ethnicity on Depression Treatment Outcomes: The CO-MED Trial – Ira M. Lesser, Sidney Zisook, Bradley N. Gaynes (2011) [pdf download]
Combined Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Pharmacotherapy for Adolescent Depression: Does it Improve Outcomes Compared with Monotherapy? – Benedetto Vitiello (2009) [pdf download]
Predicting response to cognitive therapy and interpersonal therapy, with or without antidepressant medication, for major depression: A pragmatic trial in routine practice – Marcus J.H. Huibers, Gerard van Breukelen (2014) [pdf download]
Treatment as usual (TAU) for depression: A comparison of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and combined treatment at a large academic medical center. – Mark A. Blais, Johanna C. Malone (2013) [pdf download]
Step 2 Research Proposal
One independent variable (a variable you manipulate) with two different levels (versions) of the same variable.
• For the purposes of your PSY4122 research proposal assignment, keep it simple. Use one independent and one dependent variable. You will not get extra marks for a complex idea. In fact, the more complex your question, the more likely you will be to make mistakes and lose marks.
• Example: IV = Depression Treatment type
o Level 1 (group 1) = Drug X
o Level 2 (group 2) = Therapy X
One dependent variable (something you are measuring across all participants)
• Example: DV = Mean scores on a Standard Depression Inventory (be specific and name the inventory)
Step 3
The outline for this assessment will cover five key aspects of the introduction:
Background to the research area
Review of previous literatur++Study rationale
Aim of the study
Hypothesis
1. Background to the research area
•In the introductory paragraph, you will provide a broad overview of the topic indicating the importance of researching the topic (in general). In this outline, you will want to identify at least one article that provides evidence to the global importance of the issue.
2. Review of previous literature
•Succinctly review key papers (to demonstrate evidence of your synthesis of past research). Your supporting evidence (articles) should become increasingly more relevant to your specific aim and hypothesis as you work your way through the introduction. (See the sample paper linked below for an example of how to cite previous literature.
3. Study rationale
•Identify the gaps and/or limitations in the previous research you’ve identified (to show evidence of your critical evaluation). This evaluation should be logical and relevant based on the articles you previously presented. A rationale differs from an aim and hypothesis (and even the importance section listed above) because it provides a justification for why this specific study is important and is being proposed.
4. Aim of the study
This section should include an aim that follows logically from the previous argument formed throughout the Introduction and should directly address the major gap or limitation you identified in the rationale. Furthermore, it should be written in the future tense.
5. Hypothesis
•Your hypothesis should be operationalised, directional and be written in the future tense. You can begin with a phrase such as “It is hypothesised that…”
? You can achieve this by including the type of measure you plan to use. In the sample assignment linked below you will see that ‘long sleepers’ is operationally defined as ‘those who sleep for nine or more hours’ and ‘short sleepers’ is defined as ‘those who sleep fewer than seven hours’.
The hypothesis will be completed by specifically indicating the relationship between the two groups you are comparing. For example, “It is hypothesised that Group A will be significantly higher/lower on your dependent measure than Group B”
NOTE: You will need to cite all of your sources and also provide a complete list of references for this assignment. See the ‘Format’ section below for more information on this.