MENTAL HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH

The intent behind the final course project for this course is for you to demonstrate mastery of the course learning goals, especially your understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research found in the literature which is used to address issues in your particular counseling field or discipline.

Since each of you faces unique situations in your professional work, and likely holds different academic and professional goals, you may research a topic of your choosing. Central to the final project is your ability to articulate a set of focusing statements, including a problem statement and research question, and to outline a strategy for addressing the problem that includes reviewing published research on the topic and proposing a set of recommendations for further inquiry or application.

You will be required to conduct a search for relevant literature, review a sample of the literature on the topic you choose (including a critique of published research), and write up the findings from your work in a professional-scholarly format as a report.

Tasks associated with the project will be assigned throughout the term to help you keep on track for completing the project by the end of the course.

To successfully complete this project, you will be expected to:
Articulate a topic, problem, and question for a counseling research study.
Analyze the methodological structure of reviewed research studies.
Evaluate data analysis techniques in both qualitative and quantitative studies.
Apply research findings to practice in the counseling field.
Apply research concepts to special and culturally diverse populations.
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Project Requirements
To achieve a successful project experience and outcome, you are expected to meet the following requirements.
Use the template as a starting point for formatting your paper. Papers must include an abstract (not to exceed 120 words in length), an introduction that includes a clear statement of the problem, research question(s), the body, a conclusion that includes recommendations for further study or application, and references.
Demonstrate graduate-level writing skills, with written communication that is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
Papers should be typed in Times New Roman 12-point font. Papers should be 15 to 20 pages in length, including the references list and excluding the abstract, table of contents, and appendices. APA formatting (6th edition) should be used throughout.
Your critique of research methods must be supported by citation and reference to an authoritative source on research methods, such as the course text or other source.
In your presentation of the literature and examination of the topic, you must provide a clear and concise discussion of how research either has been or ought to be used to examine the multicultural perspectives of those typically under-represented in our society, such as those whose racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, or other demographically-associated factor is outside the mainstream of white, male, or middle- or upper-class America.
Include at least one formatted table or figure in your paper.
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Project Grading Criteria
Research Report Scoring Guide Grading Rubric
Criteria Non-performance Basic Proficient Distinguished
Articulate a problem statement appropriate to the investigation of counseling research.
16% Does not identify a problem statement appropriate to the investigation of counseling research. Identifies a problem statement appropriate to the investigation of counseling research. Articulates a problem statement appropriate to the investigation of counseling research. Articulates a problem statement appropriate to the investigation of counseling research, and provides examples of the problem from the literature.
Analyze the methodological structure of reviewed research studies.
16% Does not analyze the methodological structure of reviewed research studies. Analyzes the methodological structure of reviewed research studies, but omits some basic research concepts. Analyzes the methodological structure of reviewed research studies. Analyzes the methodological structure of reviewed research studies, and analyzes specific attributes of both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Evaluate data analysis techniques in both qualitative and quantitative studies.
17% Does not evaluate data analysis techniques. Evaluates data analysis techniques in both qualitative and quantitative studies, but the analysis is incomplete or inaccurate. Evaluates data analysis techniques in both qualitative and quantitative studies. Evaluates data analysis techniques in both qualitative and quantitative studies, and makes comparisons regarding the appropriateness of using each method in their study.
Apply research findings to practice in the counseling field.
17% Does not apply research findings to practice in the counseling field. Applies research findings to practice in the counseling field, but omits details and lacks clarity. Applies research findings to practice in the counseling field. Applies research findings to practice in the counseling field, and addresses how the impact of findings can change depending on the counseling setting.
Apply research concepts to special and culturally diverse populations.
17% Does not apply research concepts to special and culturally diverse populations. Applies research concepts to special and culturally diverse populations, but is limited in scope. Applies research concepts to special and culturally diverse populations. Applies research concepts to special and culturally diverse populations, and gives specific examples supported with scholarly references.
Illustrate the impact of research methods on theory and practice with examples from the literature.
17% Does not illustrate concepts in research methodology with examples from the literature and practice. Illustrates some concepts in research methodology, but examples are not clearly related. Illustrates the impact of research methods on theory and practice with examples from the literature. Illustrates concepts in research methodology with a thorough explanation of how examples from the literature and practice are related.
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