Skills involved with researching the literature

Assignment Content

Assessment instruction

As part of your professional development in the area of Developmental Psychology, we will be introducing you to the skills involved with researching the literature on a given topic and presenting a considered overview of your findings in academic critical analysis. After selecting a topic from the list provided in this assessment guide, you will conduct a literature search to identify current research findings on a and its impact across the lifespan on one of the population groups listed below. You will then consolidate and present your findings in a 1500 word (+ 10%) critical analysis.

The following steps apply:

Step 1. Choose from the topics and populations provided below. You must focus on one of the assignations below, otherwise, a grade of zero will be awarded for this assessment.

Step 2. Formulate a research question and identify the research inclusions and exclusions for the literature review you will be undertaking.

Step 3. Evaluate the research articles you find and relate the findings in those articles to your chosen topic.

Step 4. Relate your findings to a theoretical model(s) of developmental psychology and synthesise your findings to provide a coherent discussion on the topic.

Step 5. Writeup your critical analysis in the following format:

The first section of your submission will provide an overview of your chosen topic. Identify your SDG (e.g., good health and wellbeing) and explain how it is important globally (supply prevalence rates). Then tell the reader how it is differentially important to the chosen population (e.g., an indigenous population). Write this first as you will use this to set up the importance of your topic. Detail your specific research question (the aim or focus of the review) because the research question will determine the literature sourced and the focus. A research question in this context is the stated aim/focus of the review that you have set out to have answered by the review process (recommended word limit: 300 words).
After briefly identifying search inclusion and exclusion criteria, present your , critically evaluating the research as it applies to your topic, your aim, your population, and your research question; and provide discussion on how a developmental theory applies or is involved (use a theory from topic 3 in week 1). Narrow to a specific focus. Tell the story of developmental change. In other words, what does the literature say about empirically supported programs that might bring about necessary change that could apply to your chosen population? What might improvements in this area mean for the development of your chosen population? Reflect upon the value of change on the psychological development of your chosen population as well. Can you identify any important gaps in this literature? Depending on the topic and focus, your critical evaluation might involve, for example, weighing up the evidence in relation to what has been supported and not supported, and then providing a for the reader (recommended word limit: 900 words).
The final section of your submission will provide a succinct overview of your findings of the critical analysis and its application to practice or future research (recommended word limit: 300 words).

Notes relevant to your submission:

You must adhere to , and referencing
You must focus on one of the assignations below otherwise, a grade of zero will be awarded.

Topics
Choose one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and one population of focus.

sdg.png

Indigenous populations
Disabled people
Refugees, rainbow refugees, asylum seekers, and the forcibly displaced
Women
Gender diversity
Our ageing population

Here are some topics to get you started:

The impact of quality education on the development of women
Providing a quality primary education embracing gender equality and diversity may lead to improvements in good health and wellbeing, decent work, and economic growth
The power of adult womens education flow-on effects to the community and future generation gender identify development.
Child development and reducing poverty: The impact of fair trade programs.