Purpose

You will write an APA research paper about a neurological or psychological topic of your choice from a

psychobiological point of view (i.e. biological aspects of the disorder, NOT historical or clinical).

Paper Requirements

Topic: The plasticity of the brain of a toddler born from a mother who abused crack cocaine during pregnancy

1. Title Page →

a. On its own page before every other section

b. Includes the title, running head, author, institution, and date

2. Abstract →

a. One, succinct and well-worded paragraph

b. No more than 250 words

c. On its own page right after the title page

d. Provide the reader a snapshot of every section of your paper

e. This paragraph should be wrapped-up with a powerful final sentence that grabs the reader’s

attention and makes them want to continue reading

f. Write this section last because it is a summary of the rest of the paper

3. Introduction →

a. One, succinct, thorough, and well-worded paragraph with a summarizing concluding

sentence that effectively wraps-up the paragraph

b. Provide the reader with a clear foundational understanding of the biopsychological topic

c. Describe the major concepts and mention some general knowledge supported by relevant

research, all appropriately cited in APA

d. This section should provide the reader with a clear idea of the focus of the paper, a thesis

statement, and a statement of how you propose to validate the thesis statement

4. Body →

a. Six paragraphs total – two paragraphs devoted to each peer-reviewed journal article

b. Each 2-paragraph subsection is a summary of one of the three scholarly/scientific (peer-

reviewed) journal articles…2 paragraphs per article = 6 Body paragraphs total

c. Well thought and thorough, telling the story of each journal article and how each are related to

the physiological AND psychological aspects of the disorder

d. Connections made between each article through the use of thoughtful transition sentences

e. Validate your thesis with the research you summarize

5. Conclusion →

a. One, succinct, thorough, and well-worded paragraph that wraps all of the presented

information together

b. Restate your thesis, and briefly summarize why it is supported (mention the main points)

c. Real-world implications/applications should be discussed

d. Close with a powerful concluding sentence that leaves the reader thinking

6. References/APA Formatting →

a. References on their own page right after the end of the conclusion

b. Sources in the references section listed in APA format….left-justified, hanging indent, no bullets

c. If a source is included in the references section, it MUST ALSO BE CITED correctly in the body

of the paper using correct APA, in-text citation format

d. Know and use APA formatting correctly! PLEASE use all of the resources provided on Canvas:

https://www.citefast.com/?s=APA#_Journal

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_

author_authors.html

TOTAL → 190 points possible

CHECK THIS LIST BEFORE YOU SUBMIT

APA Formatting →

□ An excellent paper will be typed, double-spaced, have 1-inch margins, and use a typical 12-point font

□ The paper will abide by the paragraph requirements of each section, and Pages are numbered

□ Headings used to indicate the five main sections – Abstract, Introduction, Body, Conclusion, References

o Centered, bold, not italicized

□ Subheadings used between each Body paragraph – be creative with subheading titles

o Left-justified, not bold, italicized

□ If a source is included in the references section, it MUST ALSO BE CITED correctly in the body of the

paper using correct APA, in-text citation format (checkout our Canvas page to be sure of formatting)

Editing →

□ Even if you got a good grade on the draft submission of a part of your paper, READ ALL FEEDBACK

and make the necessary changes

□ READ ALL FEEDBACK – All professor-suggested edits are made before turning in the final draft

□ An excellent paper will have sentences that are well-structured, and there are no (or very few)

grammatical or spelling errors – It will be clear that the paper has been proofread and edited frequently

□ Submit final paper to TurnItIn.com directly through the Canvas link with 8% OR LESS similarity

Writing →

□ Your sole focus should be on the biological, physiological and neurological aspects of the disorder

□ Paragraphs have clear topic sentences that are followed by supporting, relevant information

□ Transitions between paragraphs help the paper flow and not seem like separate chapter summaries

□ DO NOT provide symptoms, treatment, or patient-related information about the psychological disorder

□ DO NOT use direct quotes…instead, summarize the material in your own words

o No more than 3 words in a row can be the same as the source

□ DO NOT copy sentences/phrases from sources…instead, summarize the material in your own words

o No more than 3 words in a row can be the same as the source

□ DO NOT write in first-person