Research Methods

Research Paper Guidelines

Everything is past tense. Third person. (Except Future Research which may be in the future or present tense)

Page 1- Title and Your name ONLY
Abstract
Page 2- Abstract and Title (abstract less than 250 words)
Double-spaced, 12 point Times Roman, one inch margins all around the page.
Background
Page 3 begins with the centered heading “Background”. The background should be NO MORE THAN 4 pages; the last paragraph(s) should be the overall purpose

Method
The next section, “Method”, starts with a centered heading immediately after the past paragraph of the Beackground. THERE SHOULD BE NO WHITE SPACE IN THE PAPER EXCEPT ON PAGES 1 AND 2. ALL SECTIONS ARE CONTINUOUS WITH NO ADDITIONAL LINE BREASKS.

Includes search terms, databases searched, inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results
The third section, “Results”, begins with a centered heading following the end of the Method section. This should be a review of papers as done in PowerPoint. As many paragraphs as needed for each study. Use a heading at the beginning of each paper’s section such as:

Dordon and Gordon (2022).  This study examined the impact of volcanic activity on levels of distress on the MMPI=2.  

There will be a new heading for each study.

Discussion

The fourth section, “Discussion”, begins immediately after the Results with the heading centered.

The first paragraph is a short summary of the goals of the study.

Second, an analysis of what the research as a whole showed. This should be at least two pages referring to the specific studies when necessary.

Limitations

Third, an analysis of the limitations (and strengths of appropriate of each study), with paragraphs focusing on such issues (but not limited to) as:
Gender
Ethnicity
Culture
Age
Control groups
Tests used
Overall generalizability

Applications

Fourth, The next section has the paragraph heading “Applications”. This should discuss the applications of your findings and should be at least two full pages. Clinical relevance and use is most important!

Future Research

The next section has the paragraph heading “Future Research” and should be at least two full page.

References

After the end of the discussion section, begin the references section with the centered heading “References”