Adulthood and well being in late adulthood

The purpose of this assignment is for you to critically reflect upon how your thinking on two specific issues
covered in the discussions for this course developed in relation to specific intellectual standards, and to
consider how questions that emerge from controversial issues can be studied scientifically. Topic question is What is adulthood and well-being in late adulthood

Dr. Kamil Hamaoui
Lifespan Development
Critical Reflection Paper
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is for you to critically reflect upon how your thinking on two specific issues
covered in the discussions for this course developed in relation to specific intellectual standards, and to
consider how questions that emerge from controversial issues can be studied scientifically.
Instructions
Write a cohesive paper that follows the structure presented below. A cohesive paper is one that is unified; the
sentences and paragraphs are logically connected with transitional words and phrases.
Introductory Paragraph
Identify the two issues/questions that you will discuss in your paper. You can select issues from any of the
discussions covered in this course. There were 11 discussions, one for each of the lessons. After you identify
each issue, explain why the issue is controversial. Why do people have different views or take different
positions on the issue?
After you have identified the issues you will be discussing, define the central concepts in each issue/question
as worded. For example, if the issue is whether should be legal, define physicianassisted suicide. Make sure the definitions are clear and precise and provide a citation for the source you
used to define the terms.
Note that the discussion instructions in the lesson folders include an introduction to the issue. You can use
that content and paraphrase it when introducing the issue. Also, note that some discussions had more than
one question to be discussed. If this is the case, your paper can focus on one of the questions.
Part 1
In a paragraph or two, discuss what you learned about the first issue.
First, describe your position on the issue and your reasoning prior to engaging in the discussion with your
classmates. Paraphrase what you wrote in your Initial Post. Do not just copy and paste the statements
verbatim; rephrase them. Also, incorporate the information/ideas you found in an authoritative online
source related to the issue and include a citation. Note that you do not need to find a new source. You can
use the same one that you used for the discussion. If you did not meet this requirement when completing the
discussion, then seek out a new source.
Second, read through all the initial posts, tally the number of students who took different positions on the
issue, and compile a listing of the different reasons presented in support of the positions taken. Make sure
that your summary of posts includes an (i.e., 3 were supportive, 2 were neutral, and 4
were against), not an approximation (i.e., about a third of my classmates. . . .). There are many ways you
could categorize positions on an issue. It is not always as simple as for and against. Use an approach that
makes the most sense to you given the question and the similarities and differences between the conclusions
presented by your classmates. After you present your summary, discuss how your original position related to
the views of the class as a whole. Was your position in the majority? What were some reasons presented, on
either side of the issue, that you had not considered?
Third, identify specific points or pieces of information shared by your classmates in their Replies to your own
Initial Post that impacted your thinking. Quote the relevant statements and then elaborate upon them in
your own words. If you didnt receive any Replies to your Initial Post, then read through Replies submitted to
other Initial Posts, and discuss those have relevance to your original position on the issue.
Fourth, identify how your thinking on the question improved by applying one or more intellectual standards
(i.e., clarity, accuracy, precision, depth, breadth, logic, relevance, significance, and fairness). For example,
you could state that your thinking is broader now in that you understand the issue from more than one
perspective. Then elaborate upon that development in thinking by discussing the other perspectives that you
did not previously consider. Put the term for the intellectual standard in a bold font or different font color, so
it stands out in your post. Make sure that you explain how your thinking developed in relation to the
standard. Make the reflection specific, rather than general.
Part 2
In a paragraph or two, discuss what you learned about the second issue. Complete all the steps described
above (i.e., first, second, third, fourth) for the second issue.
Concluding Paragraph
What more could you learn about these issues? Select one of the issues, and then present a specific research
question that could be studied scientifically. Focus on something unknown about the issuean implication
(something that could be). Implications are often the reason why people have different positions on an issue.
People have different ideas about what could happen, if you make this or that decision about an issue. But we
dont know what actually will happen, unless and until a scientific study is conducted.
After you have identified a specific question, describe a scientific study that could be conducted to address
the question. Identify the type of method (experimental or correlational) and the variables. Then briefly
describe how you could obtain participants for the study and how you could manipulate and/or measure the
variables (i.e., a survey, interviews, observation, etc.). Note that only experimental studies have a
manipulated variable, which is the independent variable. If you do not have a full grasp of research
methods concepts, review the relevant sections from the text. When describing the study, make sure to apply
the terms for . An excellent (A level) description would apply at least 5 terms.
Formatting
Format your paper in 12-point Arial or Verdana font, with double spacing between lines and 1-inch margins.
There is no need to include a header or title to the paper. Your name is included with the Blackboard
submission. Make sure to submit as a docx or pdf document, so your paper will open in the Blackboard
viewer.
The recommended length for the paper is 2 – 4 pages. A paper less than 2 pages in length likely has
precision and thoroughness weaknesses. Elaborate upon your explanations and present examples to attain
the appropriate level of thoroughness. If you have more than 4 pages, try to narrow it down by improving the
concision of your writing. Your paper should be carefully proofread and free of spelling and grammatical
errors.
Grading
Your paper will be assigned a score based upon the assignment rubric. I recommend reviewing the rubric,
which is accessible in the grade book, prior to writing the paper.
Getting Help
I hope you find working on this paper to be a . Please feel free to send me an
email if you have any questions about these instructions, or if you would like help with a specific part of the
assignment. I look forward to reading your paper!