ASSIGNMENT: Treatment Effectiveness Research Paper (25%)
The purpose of this assignment is to use empirical (research studies) literature to
evaluate the effectiveness of a specific treatment for a particular mental disorder.
You should identify a specific research question that you are examining in your paper
(e.g., Is Prolonged Exposure Therapy an effective treatment for PTSD?) and using
empirical papers from peer-reviewed journals, your essay should attempt to address
that research question.
PSYCH 339-AS02
1. Content:
a) To ensure your topic is appropriate or possible, you are encouraged to discuss
your topic with the instructor and get some feedback prior to beginning the writing
process.
b) Body of the essay (6 pages max.):
o Clear paragraph introducing the research question (½ page);
o Review evidence (relevant empirical studies) to support your conclusion
(4-5 pages). For each empirical article, you should summarize the key
points of the study, which include:
§ purpose of the article (specific research question or hypothesis);
§ brief summary of the sample and methods (including variables and
how they are measured);
§ description of the specific results and an overall conclusion;
§ any limitations and strengths of the study (regarding findings and/or
method used)
c) Concluding paragraph, synthesizing the findings from the studies and any future
directions (½-1 page).
2. Sources:
a) Your essay must be based on 5 empirical, quantitative articles from peerreviewed journals (i.e., secondary references or books are not acceptable).
• Note that empirical articles are actual research studies where data was
collected from a sample of participants. These are original sources that do
not review articles or describe other people’s work. If this is not clear, it is
your responsibility to discuss your choice of articles with your instructor wellahead of the deadline.
b) You may cite the following sources, but they do NOT count as one of the 5
required articles: Case studies, qualitative research, Internet sources, books,
chapters, literature reviews, and meta-analyses. Without the 5 required articles,
major deductions will be made (a failing grade will be given if you do not have
any empirical articles).
c) You are encouraged to consult with the instructor regarding the suitability of your
references.
d) Use Psych INFO, MEDLINE, and other library resources to search for your articles.
Ask the librarian for assistance for identifying some of your sources.
3. Important to Note:
a) Plagiarism is to be avoided at all costs.
b) Do not use quotes. Major deductions will be made if you use quotes. You should
be paraphrasing information from the articles.
c) Proof-read your work.
d) APA formatting is mandatory (typewritten, double-spaced, 12 pt font, one-inch
margins):
o Title page, running heads, and page numbering
o Reference citations in the essay and full reference list
PSYCH 339-AS02
4. Sample topics:
Some examples of potential research questions that could serve as the basis of your
paper include, but are not limited to:
• Dialectical behaviour therapy for Borderline PD
• Exposure and ritual prevention therapy for OCD
• Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD
• Mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy for depression
• 12-step programs for alcohol abuse
• Prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT) for depression
• Panic control treatment (PCT) for panic disorder