For your Final Project, select a topic related to human services that furthers the research in this area and might inform practice, program development, program evaluation, advocacy, and/or policy development. This topic should be relevant in the human services field today. You will use this topic throughout the course in various Discussions and Applications. Most of the components below are submitted as individual assignments throughout the course. Please note that you might have to expand or revise the initial assignment in order to meet the requirements of the Final Project. In addition, be sure to incorporate feedback from your Instructor and colleagues into your Final Project. Please see the corresponding weeks for additional details on individual sections.
Your research paper should be 18–25 pages, not including the title page, abstract, or references. Please note that quantity does not always correspond to quality, and a well-written Final Project that includes all of the necessary information might contain fewer than the maximum number of pages. The Final Project is evaluated according to all four indicators in the “Application Assignment and Final Project Writing Rubric” located in the Course Information area.
You should compose an 18- to 25-page paper, referencing at least 15 resources, including the following:
Introduction 3-4 pages
think about how you might pique the reader’s interest in the Introduction section of your Final Project. Also, consider the context for your research paper, the importance of your topic to field of human services, and your argument.
Theoretical Framework 5-6 pages
A theoretical framework may help establish a vantage point, a perspective, or a lens through which you may view an issue. It may also help establish gaps in previous research or solidify a methodological approach. In addition, the theoretical framework should help you and the reader make sense of your research. Using existing theories as the theoretical framework of your research can lead to a new understanding of, or solution to, a research topic.
•Compose the Theoretical Framework section of your Final Project.
•Provide a description and rationale for each theory.
•Include the strengths and limitations of each theory.
Literature Review 5-6 pages
Performing secondary research includes evaluating existing literature for strengths, limitations, and ethical considerations. When evaluating literature, think about questions such as the following:
•Were the author’s interpretations and conclusions supported by the evidence he or she presented?
•Was there any apparent bias?
•Were there other ways that specific data could be interpreted other than how the author approached it?
•Were any important variables left out of the study?
•Was every assertion supported by fact?
•Did the text use reliable resources?
(Walden University Online Writing Center, 2009, p.1)
When conducting secondary research, you have the responsibility of evaluating your own research to avoid ethical issues.
Choose 15 peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles related to your Final Project topic. Consider strengths and limitations when evaluating the articles. Finally, consider potential ethical issues in conducting secondary research.
•Briefly summarize each article you selected.
•In your summary, provide an evaluation of the articles (accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency, and coverage).
•Finally, explain one potential ethical issue of conducting secondary research. Include how you might avoid this ethical issue.
•Be specific, and provide examples to support your answers.
•Compose the Literature Review section for your Final Project.
•Include a comparison and evaluation of research methods.
•Include a reference list of scholarly resources using APA style.
•Practical Application 2-3 pages
think about how human services professionals might use your research in practice, program development, program evaluation, advocacy, and/or policy development.
•Compose the Practical Application section of your Final Project.
•Include how the research might be used in human services practice, program development, program evaluation, advocacy, and/or policy development.
•Be specific, and provide examples to illustrate your explanation.
•Social Policy 3-4 pages
think about a current (new or reformed) social policy at the federal, state, or local level you related to your Final Project, and think about how this policy impacts your Final Project topic. Search for scholarly resources that support whether or not you believe the policy is for the betterment of human welfare.
•Compose the Social Policy section of your Final Project.
•Explain one current social policy (new or reformed) at the federal, state, or local level related to your Final Project.
•Explain how this social policy impacts your Final Project topic, including whether you believe it is for the betterment of the human services field. Include references from scholarly resources to support your answer.
•Be specific, and provide examples.
•Conclusion 1-2 pages
Reference Page 1-2 pages
compile an initial reference list for your Final Project using APA style. Keep in mind that this list will most likely change as you continue to develop your Final Project. This week’s reference list should consist of 15 scholarly resources. Please include 5-6 books, 6-7 peer-reviewed journal articles, and 3-4 articles from the Internet.
•Compile an initial reference list for your Final Project.
•Include the 8–10 scholarly resources you selected.
Bibliography 3-4 pages
choose atleast 15 resources you plan to use for your Final Project to compose an annotated bibliography. You may use the resources from the reference list you composed:
•Compose an annotated bibliography.
•Include in each summary:
?A critical evaluation of the resource
