Theories and Research in Developmental Psychology – PSYC 725
CG • Section 8WK • 07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
Critical examination of current theory and research in developmental psychology. Focus on physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development across the lifespan.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
This course provides a foundation in advanced developmental psychology for doctoral students in a research-based program with an experimental focus. A firm foundation in theories and research of physical, cognitive, emotional and social development across the lifespan is essential to the formation of research skills, advanced knowledge of the field, and the ability to think critically as a developmental psychologist. The course provides a basis for students to begin to critically evaluate, interpret, design, and conduct research in developmental psychology.
Course Assignment
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be at 300 words, use at least 2 citations in current APA format, and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 100 words. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F, G)
The student will write 2 article summaries of 1 to 3 pages in length. One summary must cover a research-based, peer-reviewed journal article of the student’s choice. The second summary may be of another research-based, peer-reviewed journal article or of a chapter/article from the Handbook of child psychology and developmental science (2015). These summaries may later be incorporated into the research paper if the student chooses to use them. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F)
The student will submit a research paper topic and 3 scholarly peer-reviewed journal article references, in current APA format, related to the topic. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F)
The student will write a 7-8-page (excluding the title page, abstract, and reference page) research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on research on a developmental psychology topic of the student’s choice. The paper must include at least 8 scholarly journal articles as references. Other references, including the course textbook and the Bible, may be incorporated in addition to the 8 journal articles, but the majority of the content of the paper must be supported by research-based scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F, G)
There will be 2 quizzes: one in Module 4 covering Modules 1-4 and one in Module 8 covering Modules 5-8. Each quiz will cover the textbook readings for the assigned modules/weeks. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice questions and an essay question, and have a 2-hour time limit.
