CO

PSY320 – Language Development
in Young Children

Project – Research Topic Selection

Due: 11:59 p.m. EST, Sunday of Unit 2
Point: 100

Overview:

For the final project, you will be researching a cognitive, genetic or biological delay, or a
specific disorder and its impact on language development.

Your assignment this week is to choose a research topic for your project that is most
interesting to you and provide the following information:

• Identify and define a delay/disorder that impacts speech and
language development.

• Discuss the key characteristics of the delay/disorder.
• Explain why you selected this area of study.
• Share what you hope to learn in your examination of this topic.

Suggested topics include, but are not limited to, Autism Spectrum Disorder (or any related
social communication disorder), Aspergers Syndrome, Dyslexia, Hearing Impairment,
Down Syndrome, or Williams Syndrome.

Guidelines:
• One page minimum, not counting a cover page and any references used in

your initial exploration of the topic.
• Employ 6th edition APA Style Formatting

o Typed, double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font
o Cover page and (if necessary) Reference page

• Add as many sections as needed, but should include at minimum:
o Introduction
o Body
o Conclusion

Be sure to read the criteria, by which your paper/project will be evaluated, before you write,
and again after you write.

Evaluation Rubric for Research Topic Selection Assignment

CRITERIA Deficient Satisfactory Proficient
0 – 16 Points 17 – 21 Points 22 – 25 Points

Identified Research
Topic and Definition

Does not adequately
identify and/or
define research
topic.

Research topic is
presented, though
may not be clear or
complete.

Research topic is
clearly presented
including all criteria
outlined above.

Characteristics of
Delay / Disorder

Key characteristics
are missing or
incorrect.

Characteristics are
mostly accurate;
some key
characteristics are
not mentioned.

Key characteristics
are accurate and
discussed in clear
detail.

Personal Interests

Does not
adequately
address personal
interest in topic.

Personal interests
are mostly
addressed, though
may not be clear or
complete.

Personal interests
are clearly
presented.

APA, Grammar and

Mechanics

Does not meet
APA format.
Has significant
grammatical and
mechanical errors.

Some APA,
grammatical, and/or
mechanical errors.

Minimal APA,
grammatical,
and/or mechanical
errors.