Worksheet 2: Identifying A Research Gap
Table of Contents
Identifying A Research Gap
For this worksheet task, you will identify a gap in abnormal psychology research and begin to develop a basic research question to address the identified gap.
First, review the literature from the five articles in your chosen track (three that were provided for you and two that you chose on your own). Using the Research Gap Worksheet as a guide, identify a gap in the research from your articles. Based on that research gap, develop a question to address the gap.
To complete this assignment, review the Module Four Worksheet Guidelines and Rubric document.
Note: The Research Gap Worksheet is filled out to provide an example for you to follow. Use the sheet as a template by deleting the highlighted portions and replacing them with your own content.
PSY 215 Module Four Worksheet Guidelines and Rubric Overview: For this worksheet task, due in Module Four, you will identify a gap in abnormal psychology research and begin to develop a basic research question to address the identified gap. First, review the literature from the five articles in your chosen track (three that were provided for you and two that you chose on your own).
Using the Research Gap Worksheet as a guide, identify a gap in the research from your articles. Based on that research gap, develop a question to address the gap. This process of reviewing the current body of knowledge and addressing areas that need further investigation is one that psychology researchers engage in on a regular basis. Ultimately, your completion of this assignment will better prepare you to be a wise consumer and producer of research.
Note: The Research Gap Worksheet is filled out to provide an example for you to follow. Use the sheet as a template by deleting the highlighted portions and replacing them with your own content. Prompt: The following elements must be addressed, as also outlined in the worksheet and the Final Project Part I Guidelines and Rubric document:
A. Identify a gap in abnormal psychology research presented in the course that is unexplored or underdeveloped. For example, is there an unexplored aspect of abnormal psychology you believe could be further explored?
B. Develop a basic research question addressing the identified gap. In other words, create a question that you could answer in potential research further investigating your identified gap. Be sure to support your developed research question with examples from research to support your claims.
Please refer to the Research & Citations page on the SNHU Online Writing Center website for proper APA formatting of sources. Guidelines for Submission: Your worksheet must be submitted with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and APA-style citations.
Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value Research Plan: Gap Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
response demonstrates keen insight into an unexplored or underdeveloped area of abnormal psychology based on the research presented in the course
Identifies a gap in the abnormal psychology research presented in the course that is unexplored or underdeveloped
Identifies a gap in the abnormal psychology research presented in the course that is unexplored or underdeveloped, but identification contains inaccuracies
Does not identify a gap in the abnormal psychology research presented in the course that is unexplored or underdeveloped
40
Research Plan: Research Question
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and developed research question demonstrates keen insight into how to develop research questions that address the identified gap
Develops a basic research question addressing the identified gap that is supported by examples from the research
Develops a basic research question addressing the identified gap, but developed research question is cursory, contains inaccuracies, or lacks examples from the research
Does not develop a basic research question addressing the identified gap
40
Articulation of Response
Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to- read format
Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization
Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas
Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas
20
Total 100%
PSY 215 Research Gap Worksheet
This worksheet will help you complete the Module Four Worksheet: Identifying a Research Gap.
In order to complete this worksheet, you will need to review all five studies you have selected for
your final project.
This worksheet is filled out to provide an example for you to follow.
Note: Use this sheet as a template by deleting the highlighted portions and replacing them with
your own content.
Gap Identification
Based upon your review of the articles in your chosen track and the additional articles you
selected, identify a gap in the abnormal psychology research presented in the course that is
unexplored or underdeveloped. For example, is there an unexplored aspect of abnormal
psychology you believe could be further explored? When reviewing a resource, one good way of
identifying a research gap is to look at the author’s own conclusions and any suggestions for
future research, which may point his or her readers to areas of the study that require further
research.
Family and other forms of social support have been shown to benefit patients who are suffering
from schizophrenia. Current trends indicate that family-oriented therapeutic interventions might
be even more beneficial amongst racial/ethnic minority populations if they are conducted within
a cultural and spiritual context. While treatment outcomes appear to be largely unaffected by a
therapist-patient mismatch with regard to race/ethnicity/spirituality, it is unclear whether or not a
patient’s treatment outcomes are affected by a similar mismatch between the patient and his or
her family members.
Research Question
Develop a basic research question addressing the identified gap. In other words, create a question
that you could answer in research further investigating your identified gap. Remember: An
effective research question should be clear and focus your research. Ideally, it should also be
something that you are interested in or care about.
Within family-focused treatment for schizophrenia, are therapeutic outcomes impacted by a
race/ethnic/spiritual mismatch between a patient and his or her family?
