Overview
The Proposed Study Essay assignment is designed to assist students with conceptualizing a new research study that builds on what they’ve learned about psychological disorders and treatment and some of the newest, peer-reviewed scientific literature on the topic. In the process of your work, you will:
1. read and digest a portion of the scientific literature (2 peer-reviewed journal articles),
2. analyze the articles for their content, strengths, and limitations, and
3. design a proposed study that would extend the literature on this disorder in a meaningful way.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this assignment, you will learn how to:
· Identify and explain key terms and concepts in psychological science and research.
· Discuss the biological, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social factors that influence this specific disorder / syndrome.
· Explain research methods used in the study of this specific disorder / syndrome.
· Integrate reflective thought and scientific reasoning to develop novel and relevant research questions.
· Predict / hypothesize potential outcomes of research questions on the basis of existing knowledge from the textbook and scientific articles.
Tasks
In this written essay, you will build on the information presented in the two articles to propose a new study of the disorder that will address the limitations of past research and contribute to the scientific knowledge base. You will detail the rationale, goals, design, research questions, hypotheses, variables, and potential implications of their proposed study.
Preparation:
· Ensure that you have completed all readings and assignments in the PSY 101 course to date / prior to this assignment.
· Review APA style for reference pages, including how to use capitalization, italics, and indentation in listing each cited article in your essay.
· Review APA style for parenthetical (in-text) citations so you can effectively cite information you did not generate yourself and avoid plagiarism.
To successfully complete this assignment, you will:
1. Read the 2 peer-reviewed, scientific journal articles. The first article is about the etiology of the disorder, and the second article is about the treatment of this disorder.
2. Article 1: Proudman et al., 2021 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8134814/)
3. Article 2: Karrouri et al., 2021 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8610877/)
4. Design a proposed study in essay format.
Please use this chart to help you organize your assignment:
Step with Directions
Description and Details
Step 1: Read the 2 peer-reviewed, scientific journal articles. The first article is about the etiology of the disorder, and the second article is about the treatment of this disorder.
· Article 1: Proudman et al., 2021
· Article 2: Karrouri et al., 2021
Step 2: Organize the structure and content of your essay into the following 5 sections.
· It is strongly recommended that you follow this suggested structure to assist with organization and clarity of your essay.
· Each paragraph / section should start with a strong topic sentence, followed by several sentences containing information to support your claims.
· Each paragraph/section should include at least one citation in APA format.
1. Description of the disorder. This section should discuss the incidence and prevalence of the disorder, its symptoms, and any important sex/gender or age differences in its presentation.
2. Risk for developing the disorder. This section should identify at least 3 evidence-based risk factors (i.e., factors that have been shown to be related to the development of the disorder in research) and explain why each is relevant in the etiology of the disorder.
3. Common treatments for the disorder. This section should briefly review and explain at least two existing treatments for the disorder. At least one of the treatments reviewed MUST be psychological (non-pharmacological) in nature.
4. Identify gaps in our understanding of treatment for this disorder. Identify at least one limitation of existing treatment research for this disorder. Explain why this gap in our understanding is important to address in future research.
5. Propose a study that would help us better understand and improve treatment for this disorder. This proposed study may directly address the gap in our understanding of the disorder’s treatment (identified in the previous section). You must include:
6. At least one research question and associated hypothesis . In stating your research question and hypothesis , clearly identify your independent variable (s) and your dependent variable (s).
7. The sample of people to be studied. In describing your sample of participants, include important demographic characteristics of participants (e.g., age, sex, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, sexual orientation , etc.) and how you would recruit these individuals for participation.
8. The research methods you would use to measure your variables. In explaining your research methods, include what type of research design (correlational/experimental), timeline (cross-sectional or longitudinal) and measures (surveys, observations, experimental tasks, etc.) you would use.
9. The importance of this study. Include the potential implications of your study results for extending the scientific literature on treatment of this disorder.
Step 3: Prepare a References page that lists each of your 3 sources in APA style. Note that you will need to list your textbook as one source as well as each of your 2 peer-reviewed journal articles as the other two sources.
The References page will be the last page of your research paper. You do not need to have more than 3 references.
Requirements
This essay will be graded according to inclusion of specific content, but also basic use of APA style (e.g., parenthetical citations and reference page) and adequate scientific writing mechanics (e.g., strong topic sentences with accompanying evidence).
Your Proposed Study Essay should be approximately 2 pages double-spaced in length (500 words minimum), using 12-point font and 1-inch margins.
Title:
Proposed Study on Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Description of the Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce distress (compulsions) (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). OCD affects approximately 2–3% of the population worldwide, with a typical onset in late adolescence or early adulthood (Proudman et al., 2021). Men often experience an earlier onset, while women are more likely to have symptom onset during the perinatal period (Proudman et al., 2021). The disorder can significantly impair occupational, academic, and social functioning, making effective treatment essential.
Risk for Developing the Disorder
Several risk factors contribute to the development of OCD. First, genetic vulnerability plays a significant role, with heritability estimates ranging from 40% to 50%, indicating a strong familial component (Proudman et al., 2021). Second, neurobiological differences, such as altered functioning in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuitry, have been implicated in symptom persistence and severity. Finally, environmental stressors, including early-life trauma or significant life changes, can trigger symptom onset or exacerbation in genetically predisposed individuals. Together, these factors illustrate the multifactorial etiology of OCD.
Common Treatments for the Disorder
Standard treatment for OCD often combines pharmacological and psychological interventions. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine and sertraline, are first-line pharmacological options, showing efficacy in reducing both obsessions and compulsions (Karrouri et al., 2021). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is the most effective psychological treatment. ERP involves gradual exposure to feared stimuli and prevention of the associated compulsive behavior, leading to symptom reduction through habituation. While these treatments are effective for many, a substantial portion of patients experience partial response or relapse.
Gaps in Current Treatment Research
One notable limitation in OCD treatment research is the limited exploration of culturally adapted interventions. Most ERP studies have been conducted in Western contexts, with little consideration for cultural beliefs, stigma, and differing explanatory models of illness (Karrouri et al., 2021). This gap is significant because cultural mismatch can reduce treatment adherence and perceived relevance, potentially leading to poorer outcomes in diverse populations.
Proposed Study
Research Question: Does culturally adapted ERP integrated with mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) improve treatment adherence and symptom reduction in adults with OCD compared to standard ERP?
Hypothesis: Participants receiving culturally adapted ERP + MBSR will demonstrate greater improvement in symptom severity and adherence rates than those receiving standard ERP.
Independent Variable: Treatment type (standard ERP vs. culturally adapted ERP + MBSR).
Dependent Variables: Symptom severity (measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale) and treatment adherence rates.
Sample: 120 adults aged 18–50 with a clinical OCD diagnosis, recruited from urban outpatient clinics serving racially and ethnically diverse populations. Participants will represent various cultural backgrounds and be balanced by gender.
Methods: This will be a randomized controlled trial (experimental design) lasting 12 weeks, with assessments at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Data will be collected through clinician-administered interviews, standardized symptom scales, and adherence tracking.
Importance: This study could inform culturally sensitive OCD treatment protocols, potentially increasing accessibility, engagement, and effectiveness across diverse populations. Findings would address a key gap in the literature and contribute to more inclusive mental health care.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Karrouri, R., Ouanes, S., El Asri, A., Najib, K., Ouanes, S., & Otheman, Y. (2021). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: A review of treatment options. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 14, 1423–1435. Proposed Study on Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder appeared first on Skilled Papers.
