Due Date:
Overview:
Taking the feedback you received on your potential research topics in Unit 1, select the
one that you would like to write about for your research project and provide some
information regarding the topic. You will also draft your thesis statement which will focus
on the argument you plan to support in the body of your paper.
Instructions:
• Select your research topic.
• Include headings/sections in your paper. The topics listed below that you are
expected to cover should be these headings/sections:
• Proposed Topic
• Discuss your topic of choice in detail including target
population, identified problem, and potential treatment
options).
• Topic Relevance
• Explain why you chose this topic including its importance to
you as well as the human services profession.
• Thesis Statement
• Your thesis statement should take a position that can start
a discussion or debate and is backed by evidence. It should
explicitly lay out the specific argument that you plan to
support in the body of your paper.
• Include at least one scholarly source that you can use for your final paper. Be
sure to reference them correctly in APA style.
Requirements:
• Submit a Word document in APA format.
• Maximum 3 pages in length, excluding the Title and Reference pages.
• At least one scholarly resource.
Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be evaluated before you write
and again after you write.
HSV 450 –
Senior Seminar
Research Topic and Thesis
HSV450–Senior Seminar
Research Topicand Thesis
Evaluation Rubric for Research Topic Assignment
CRITERIA Deficient Needs
Improvement
Proficient Exemplary
0-3 Points 4-6 Points 7-9 Points 10 Points
Structure
Well-developed
paragraphs,
complete
sentences, title
page, body of
work meets
requirements,
references,
followed the
example
specifically
Organizational
structure and
paragraphing have
serious and persistent
errors.
Directions were
ignored and
information provided
was insufficient to
meet assignment
guidelines.
Written work
inadequate for
college-level work;
Paragraphing and
transitions are
are inadequate;
inappropriate
guidelines outlined for
paper were
not met with several
problems.
Written work is clear
and adequate
college-level work;
Paragraphing and
transitions are
adequate;
appropriate
guidelines outlined
for paper were met
with a few noted
problems.
Written work is clear
and excellent
college-level work;
Paragraphing and
transitions are clear
and appropriate;
appropriate
guidelines outlined
for paper were
met.
0-3 Points 4-6 Points 7-9 Points 10 Points
Content
Demonstrates
knowledge of
topics, through
discussion of
concepts,
appropriate
integrate of
topics on
directions;
scholarly source
use
Written work does not
cover the topic;
assertions are not
supported by
evidence; paper is
seriously lacking in
content and detail;
scholarly sources
were not used or
used properly.
Written work does not
do an adequate job of
covering the topic;
assertions are weakly
supported by
evidence; paper is
inadequate in
meeting the
page and content
area requirements;
No scholarly
sources were used.
The length of the
written work is
sufficient to cover the
topic; assertions are
supported by
evidence; does
not meet full required
number of pages and
content areas. One
scholarly source was
used.
The length of the
written work provides
in depth coverage of
the topics, assertions
are clearly supported
by evidence; Paper
meets required
length of pages and
content areas; at
least one scholarly
source was used.
0-3 Points 4-6 Points 7-9 Points 10 Points
Mechanics
Spelling;
grammar; use
of APA style
Written work had
serious and
persistent errors in
word selection and
use; sentence
structure, spelling,
grammar,
punctuation was
inappropriate and
with serious errors;
APA style was
completely
unacceptable.
Written work had
several major
errors in word
selection and use;
sentence structure,
spelling,
grammar, punctuation
was
inappropriate;
APA style was
unacceptable with a
few to multiple errors.
Written work was
generally free of
errors in word
selection and use;
sentence structure,
spelling,
grammar,
punctuation was
adequate; APA
style was acceptable
with a few errors.
Written work has no
major errors in word
selection and use;
sentence structure,
spelling,
grammar,
punctuation was
appropriate; APA
style was acceptable
with no to few errors.
