ASSIGNMENT #4: RESEARCH PAPER ON A SPECIFIC MENTAL DISORDER
ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER
DUE: APRIL 12
Paper length: 10-12 pages (not including title page and references)
This paper is directly related to the final assignment. Both of your papers must focus on the same disorder.
Through this research paper, students will engage in practice-informed research to identify existing knowledge and gaps regarding a specific mental disorder. This assignment demonstrates their ability to work with the client to make practice decisions based upon existing practice research, supporting the use of evidence-based practice. Further, students will also examine culturally relevant research-informed practice for the identified disorder, detailing its benefits, effectiveness, and limitations. In doing so, students demonstrate a deep appreciation of social justice and the importance of culture and diversity when assessing the empirical data to inform practice.
Directions for the research paper:
1. Students will randomly be assigned a DSM disorder.
2. Research the disorder using a minimum of 7 scholarly books or peer-reviewed journals (internet sources, popular magazines and novels are not acceptable sources) dated within the last 10 years, unless influential work.
3. Using sub-headings, write a research-based paper which including the following:
• Brief overview of disorder – include a succinct summary of major symptomology; etiology; populations affected; prevalence and common symptom presentations; issues of culture, diversity and social justice
• differential diagnostic considerations
• procedures for assessment (e.g. scales, standardized testing, questionnaires)
• current empirically validated treatment approaches (including possible benefits, risks and
efficacy of treatment, revisit issues of culture, diversity, and social justice)
• effects of the disorder on family and caregivers
• Based on learning from this assignment and your field practice experience thus far, discuss your understanding of the research and assess strengths and limitations
4. All papers must be in 3rd person, typed, double spaced and adhere to APA 7th ed. format for references. Papers should have a title page and a reference page in addition to proper references throughout.
Criteria for grading:
Evaluation of your paper will include consideration of the following:
• the degree to which you follow the directions for the assignment
• the quality of and integration of your research
• the degree to which you demonstrate an understanding of the research and
respond to the various elements of the assignment
• the quality and depth of your analysis
• the quality of your writing and professional presentation of your paper (e.g. no
spelling errors, no grammatical errors)
