Topic

Research Paper – Peer Review

This discussion will be based on the research paper you wrote on Medhus and our main textbook.

This is a wonderful exercise that will help you to:

• understand the major theoretical approaches in abnormal psychology
• integrate and identify biological and environmental influences on development of psychological disorders
• expand your ability to assess current research in the area of abnormal psychology specifically
• sharpen your research-based writing skills
• critically assess the work of your peers 

FIRST: Post your research paper as an attached document (Microsoft Word document or PDF) or google.doc

SECOND: Read at least 2 other student papers in their entirety and answer the following in your substantive feedback post to each student.

NOTE before your start reviewing: It is expected that you will provide critical feedback, but do be respectful in your delivery, as you provide substantive and thoughtful answers to each of these questions in their entirety. 

Work to provide solid reasoning for your assertions and also cite our textbook or other sources when useful if discussing content opposition (see number 7). Use essay format and make it clear what question you are addressing with each element of feedback. It is not necessary to include the questions.

Do not offer your opinion of how the paper should be graded, as this is not your purpose in this peer review exercise.

Guidelines and Questions to Answer In Peer Review 

1. a)Did you know what the paper was to focus on and what the overall purpose of the paper was after reading the introduction paragraph? b)How else could it be improved?
2. a)How well are the answers provided by the writer supported by in-text citations from the text and relevant scholarly works? b)Do you find these connection well-chosen and relevant? 
3. a)Does the paper effectively link facts with scholarly research making the topic become more meaningful for the reader? b)How could the writer improve the focus of the paper in this way?
4. a)Does the conclusion provide closure and offer an interesting final insight that helps you to understand the main content of the paper and recommended future directions of research? Did you agree with those findings based on what you read? Does the readers substantively and clearly address all summary questions? 
5. What was in this student’s paper that you did not address in your own (regarding your chosen topic) that you found significant? Again, be specific.
6. What would you like to ask the author of this paper regarding something they wrote? This should be to further your own understanding (not optional). Be thoughtful here.
7. Additionally, you must find at least one place within your feedback to connect with course concepts from our main textbook. Cite properly. Warning: Do not just randomly add a citation or course concept as a stand alone statement. It must relate to a concept or idea presented in your peer’s paper directly. It must make sense as applied.

All questions MUST be answered with substance and clarity. Questions are not part of the word count naturally.

On Receiving Feedback: 

• take it in stride
• honestly assess the feedback (for yourself)
• really try to be open to how others view your work
• take any feedback and consider it moving forward

This feedback is very important for your learning process! And, although it can be challenging, it is a truly a gift to get this honest feedback.

Note: your instructor will be grading your paper separately from this and a student’s feedback in this forum will have no baring on your actual grade for this assignment.

Reminders

Please remember that this is an academic forum and therefore, your responses should be appropriate and well-composed for a college level course. See Discussion Board Guidelines for details on posting requirements before posting.

**As always see course schedule for posting due dates**