PSY341–Research Methods in the Social Sciences
PSY341 – Research Methods in the
Social Sciences
Unit 2 Journal Assignment
Due Date:
Points: 100
Overview:
This assignment is meant to help you reflect on your experience in PSY341 over the
past two units and demonstrate what you have learned about the science of
psychology. You are expected to use information from the Readings and Resources
under Units 1 and 2 to support your answer to the prompt below. While you are not
required to cite and reference your sources in APA style, you are expected to write in
your own words.
Journal Entry Prompt:
Before enrolling in this course, did you think psychology was a science? Why or why
not? Over the past two weeks, have your thoughts about the science of psychology
changed because of what you have been learning in this course? Also, what are the
steps of the scientific method? Why is it important that a researcher conduct the steps
of the scientific method in precise order? Finally, why is it important for you, as a future
professional psychologist, to be able to find, read, analyze, and research?
Be sure to read the criteria below, by which your journal entry will be
evaluated, before you write, and again after you write.
Evaluation Rubric for Journal Assignment
Criteria Exemplary Proficient Needs
Improvement
Deficient
Content
Reflection
55 points 44-54 points 33-43 points 0-32 points
Reflection
demonstrates a
high degree of
critical thinking in
applying,
analyzing, and
evaluating key
course concepts.
Insightful and
relevant
connections made
through
explanations and
examples.
Reflection
demonstrates
some degree of
critical thinking in
applying,
analyzing, and/or
evaluating key
course concepts.
Connections made
through
explanations,
and/or examples.
Reflection
demonstrates
limited critical
thinking in
applying,
analyzing, and/or
evaluating key
course concepts.
Minimal
connections made
through
explanations
and/or examples.
Reflection lacks
critical thinking.
Superficial
connections are
made with key
course concepts.
Personal
Growth
35 points 29-34 points 23-28 points 0-24 points
Conveys strong
evidence of
reflection on own
work with a
personal response
to the self-
assessment
questions posed.
Conveys evidence
of reflection on own
work with a
personal response
to the self-
assessment
questions posed.
Conveys limited
evidence of
reflection on own
work in response to
the self-
assessment
questions posed.
Conveys
inadequate
evidence of
reflection on own
work in response to
the self-
assessment
questions posed.
10 points 6-9 points 2-5 points 0-1 points
Writing
Quality
Well written and
clearly organized
using standard
English,
characterized by
elements of a
strong writing style
and basically free
from grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and spelling
errors.
Above average
writing style and
logically organized
using standard
English with minor
errors in grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling.
Average and/or
casual writing style
that is sometimes
unclear and/or with
some errors in
grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling.
Poor writing style
lacking in standard
English, clarity,
language used,
and/or frequent
errors in grammar,
punctuation,
usage, and
spelling. Needs
work.
- Due Date:
- Overview:
- Journal Entry Prompt:
- Evaluation Rubric for Journal Assignment
