Welcome to Module 5

In this module, you will dive into the literature review process, a crucial step in building a strong foundation for your capstone research project. You will learn how to find, analyze, and synthesize peer-reviewed sources to support your research questions. Additionally, this module will introduce ethical considerations in psychological research, ensuring that your work aligns with professional and academic integrity.

Ethics play a critical role in research, particularly when studying sensitive psychological topics. You will explore ethical guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA), understand how to evaluate ethical concerns in research, and apply these principles to your own literature review.

By the end of this module, you will have identified key research sources for your literature review and developed an understanding of ethical standards in psychological research.

Module Learning Outcomes

Week 5 Focus: Finding & evaluating research articles, addressing ethics.

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

Conduct an effective literature review by identifying and evaluating peer-reviewed psychology research related to your capstone topic. (CLO 1, 3)
Apply ethical principles and considerations to psychological research, evaluating how they impact study design, participant rights, and data interpretation. (CLO 4)
Synthesize research findings into a coherent review that connects to your research questions and broader psychological theories. (CLO 1, 3)

(CLO = Course Learning Outcome)

To Do

Please read/watch all of the module learning materials (readings, presentations, videos, etc.) and complete all assignments/assessments listed below. If you have questions, please contact the course instructor or ask in the Questions About This Course forum.

Readings and Presentations:

Burke, L., & Dempsey, R. (2023). Undertaking Capstone and Final Year Projects in Psychology.
- Chapter 5: Positioning – Understanding how to position your research within the broader field.
- Chapter 6: Methodology Spectrum – Introduction to various research methodologies and their ethical implications.
APA Code of Ethics – Review APA’s ethical standards for conducting research, particularly focusing on sections related to informed consent, confidentiality, and integrity in research. 🔗 Read APA Ethics Code
Reading and Taking Notes on Scholarly Journal Articles - This guide provides practical advice on setting aside adequate time for thorough reading and understanding of academic texts, emphasizing the importance of comprehension in the note-taking process. 🔗 Access the guide here.
Finding & Evaluating Peer-Reviewed Research Articles - Review the guides that outline key characteristics of scholarly articles and provide tips on distinguishing them from non-scholarly sources:
https://library.sjsu.edu/start-your-research/i-do-not-know-if-article-scholarly-or-peer-reviewed
https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/faq/scholarly
https://guides.library.uq.edu.au/how-to-find/peer-reviewed-articles/check
Quincy College Anselmo Library Resources
- Library Website & Catalog – Find books, eBooks, and research materials.
- Databases – Access EBSCOhost, JSTOR, and PubMed for peer-reviewed articles.
- Remote Access – Log in with Quincy College credentials for off-campus use.
- Library Assistance – Email library@quincycollege.edu or call (617) 984-1680 for support.

Videos:

Use Google Scholar for Academic Research: Google Scholar Search Tips & Tricks [25:58]

Source: Smart Student. (2021c, May 23). Use Google Scholar for academic research: Google Scholar Search tips & Tricks [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8_CW6FV8Ac
[Priming the information] Writing the Literature Review (Part One): Step-by-Step Tutorial [5:21]

Source: Scribbr. (2021, February 12). Writing the literature review (Part One) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IUZWZX4OGI
[Priming the information] Writing the Literature Review (Part Two): Step-by-Step Tutorial [7:40]

Source: David Taylor. (2010, June 28). Writing the Literature Review (Part Two): Step-by-Step tutorial for graduate students [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoYpyY9n9YQ
How to Find Peer Reviewed Journal Articles on Google Scholar [12:51]

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GC_6x_x1F8
How to Quickly Find Scholarly Articles for your research paper/essay [6:20]

Source: Survivingresearch- Bernard. (2023, February 16). How to Quickly Find Scholarly Articles for your RESEARCH PAPER/ESSAY [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shR4o_tgzZA
How to Read, Take Notes On and Understand Journal Articles [5:32]

Source: Tom Nicholas. (2017, March 9). How to read, take notes on and understand journal articles | Essay tips [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfTpYruV7AE
Literature Reviews: An Overview for Graduate Students [9:38]

Source: ibncsu. (2009, July 30). Literature Reviews: An Overview for Graduate Students (2009) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2d7y_r65HU

Assignments/Assessments:

Complete the following assignments by the date and time indicated on each assignment page.

Mod. 5 Discussion: Finding & Evaluating Peer-Reviewed Articles.
Mod. 5 Assignment: Finding and Evaluating Peer-Reviewed Research Articles (4 Articles).

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