Develop recommendations that are evidence-based and include peer-reviewed articles that support your choice(s).

/in /by

Psychological assessment reports are written by psychology professionals who work in a variety of settings. In addition, professionals in many different subfields within psychology, education and health must be able to read, understand and apply information provided in psychological assessment reports in order to effectively serve their clients. For your Final Assignment, you will demonstrate your knowledge of psychological assessment by applying the information you have learned throughout this course in the interpretation and write up of a psychological assessment report.   Your Final Project will be based on one of the case information/data tables that have been provided in the course.  The three cases consist of one adolescent assessment, one adult assessment, and one geriatric assessment.  It is expected that your Week Five final project case will be the same case that you selected in Week Two and that you incorporate feedback provided to you by your instructor on the Week Two assignment when developing your final project. To complete this assignment, you will choose the client from the list below which you chose for your Week Two assignment.

Timothy Childers (Adolescent Male)

  • Butcher, J. “Contemporary Use of the MMPI-2 in Forensic Assessment”, Continuing Education Course presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, August 2014. ABS 300 Week Five Sample MMPI-A School Adolescent Male Interpretive Report Timothy Childers [PDF].
  • Kennedy, N. & Harper, Y. (2014). ABS 300 Week Five Final Paper Adolescent Male Case Study Timothy ChildersPreview the document [PDF]. College of Health, Ashford University: San Diego, CA.

Mr. Kyle Jones (Adult Male Personal Injury Case)

  • Butcher, J. “Contemporary Use of the MMPI-2 in Forensic Assessment”, Continuing Education Course presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, August 2014. ABS 300 Week Five Sample MMPI-2 Adult Male Personal Injury Interpretive Report Mr. JonesPreview the document  (Links to an external site.)[PDF].
  • Kennedy, N. & Harper, Y. (2014). ABS 300 Week Five Final Paper Adult Male Personal Injury Case Study Mr. Jones [PDF]. College of Health, Ashford University: San Diego, CA.

Mr. Jeremiah Smith (Geriatric Male Case)

  • Butcher, J. “Contemporary Use of the MMPI-2 in Forensic Assessment”, Continuing Education Course presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, August 2014. ABS 300 Week Five Sample MMPI-2 Geriatric Male Interpretive Report Mr. SmithPreview the document [PDF].
  • Kennedy, N. & Harper, Y. (2014). ABS 300 Week Five Final Paper Geriatric Male Case Study Mr. Smith Preview the document[PDF]. College of Health, Ashford University: San Diego, CA.

As you write up your assessment report you will be taking on the role of a clinician who is conducting an assessment and providing treatment recommendations for the client that you choose from the list provided. You must use the information provided in case history and identify the most salient information that belongs in each section. Do not simply copy and paste the information provided. You must make a professional judgment about which information is the most important information to include in the psychological report and where to include that information in your report. Your assessment report must follow the format below and it must include each of the sections and their headings listed below:

I. Identifying Information 
Within this section, you will record basic information on your client including the person’s name, sex, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, handedness, and occupation or grade level. For the purposes of this assignment, you are free to create any relevant demographic information that is not explicitly stated in the case scenario. All information you create must be consistent with the information provided and any conclusions you draw in subsequent sections of your paper.
II. Reason for Referral
Within this section describe the referral source and the purpose of the assessment. The information you provide in this section must justify the decision to conduct a formal psychological assessment based and must model ethically and professionally responsible assessment practices.
III. Current Symptoms/Presenting Concerns
The information in this section of the report would typically come from an interview with the client and family (if applicable, e.g., if the client is a child or person with suspected dementia).  You must use the information provided in case history to identify the most salient information that belongs in this section. Choose information to include in this section based on the consistency with the reason for referral and purpose for testing. Here is where you will apply your methodological and theoretical assessment formulations of the client that will justify the decision to conduct a psychological evaluation on this client.
IV. Psychosocial History (complete each of the sections below based on the information in the case you selected)

  • Educational history
  • Occupational history
  • Medical history (including substance use/abuse)
  • Psychiatric history
  • Social history

V.  Interpretation of the Results
In this section explain your interpretation of the results in the data table provided for the case you selected.   Utilize the information available and create appropriate subheadings to organize the results.   For example, if your data table contains information on intelligence and achievement, then you should create appropriate subheadings to organize your findings in this section of the report. Create a sufficient number of subheadings to allow you to provide interpretations for all assessment instruments administered. If you have more than one measure of a particular psychological construct (e.g., personality and emotional functioning), present your interpretations of all measures that apply to that construct under the same subheading.
VI. Diagnostic Impressions
Based on the history provided and interpretation of test results, use the DSM-5 to provide a diagnosis (or diagnoses) for the client in a manner that demonstrates the ethical and professional use of assessment results.  You must justify your diagnostic conclusions based on your knowledge of the validity and reliability of the assessment instruments.  If there are multiple potential diagnoses to consider, then these must be explained and justified as well.   Also include information about alternative diagnoses and why these were not chosen.
VII. Recommendations
Within this section, provide treatment recommendations for the client based on the diagnosis and information about the client’s current living situation.  Develop recommendations that are evidence-based and include peer-reviewed articles that support your choice(s).

The Assignment:

  • Must be 5 to 7 single-spaced pages in length (not including title and reference pages).
  • Must include a separate title page with the following:
    • Title of assignment
    • Student’s name
    • Course name and number
    • Instructor’s name
    • Date submitted
  • Must use at least 5 scholarly sources, including a minimum of 2 peer-reviewed articles published in the last 10 years from the Ashford University Library.
  • Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  • Must include a separate title page and reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

 Summarize at least three research studies that pertain to the problem. A  summary will provide your reader with a clear understanding of the  purpose of the study, the methods, and the findings.       Describe the research designs and methods used in the studies.

/in /by

Write a 6–8-page action plan to resolve issues in a case study  based on evaluation of relevant psychological theory, research,  principles, and standards.

When faced with a problem that involves psychology, you could merely  rely on lessons drawn from your own personal experience, but of course,  your education in this field has given you greatly enhanced sources of  guidance.

Preparation

Return to the case study that you considered in Assessments 1 and 2.

  • Identify two or three psychological theories and principles that  help to explain the reasons for the problem and point toward potential  solutions for it.
  • Use the Capella University Library to locate at least three  scholarly research studies in an area of psychology relevant to the  problem. If you have had the opportunity to conduct or assist formal  research in an academic or professional context, you may be able use the  study in this assessment. However, if you wish to do so, e-mail a copy  of the study to your instructor and ask for confirmation that it is  appropriate for the assessment.

Instructions

Complete the following:

  • Create a title page: Write a brief title that  concisely conveys the purpose of this report. It is suggested that you  use the APA Paper Template, linked in the Resources under the APA  Resources heading, to format your paper to format your work according to  the APA manual (current edition).
  • Write an introduction: For the introduction section of your paper, include the title at the top of the first page. (In APA format, the word Introduction is not used as a heading.) Briefly summarize:
    • The case you have chosen.
    • A high-level summary of ethical and cultural issues that you identified in the case.
    • How theories and research, in general terms, help explain the problems in the case and point toward solutions.
    • How the case relates to a larger societal problem or problems.
  • Create a heading titled Case Issues: Review the case issues, including the ethical and cultural issues, in more detail.
  • Create a heading titled Theoretical Framework:  Analyze how two or three psychological theories help explain the  problem and point toward potential solutions. In doing so, cite relevant  principles or concepts derived from these theories. For example:
    • Let us say that we are assisting an adolescent from Germany  who has moved to the United States and is having a rough time adjusting  to her new high school. In addition to information gathered from her,  her parents, and the school, we could consider Erikson’s psychosocial  theory and the stage of identity and role confusion in which adolescents  search to establish their own values, beliefs, and goals. During this  important time of identity development, the teen has been immersed in an  entirely different culture with values and beliefs different from the  one which she knows. We could consider to what extent she was mastering  the stage prior to and then after the move. Based on sociocultural  theory, we would enquire about the differences in culture that may be  impinging on her success in interacting in her new environment. By  integrating the two theories, we can get a better understanding of how  her developmental stage is clashing with her sociocultural context. We  might search for research on adolescent development and cross-cultural  experiences to get a better understanding of what research demonstrates  is effective in assisting teenagers in this position.
  • Create a heading titled Related Research:  Summarize at least three research studies that pertain to the problem. A  summary will provide your reader with a clear understanding of the  purpose of the study, the methods, and the findings.
    • Describe the research designs and methods used in the studies.
    • Use principles of critical thinking to evaluate the quality of the research and analyze the relevance to the problem.
      • Evaluate how the research methods employed support the studies’ findings.
      • Analyze how the studies’ findings explain reasons for the problem and point toward potential solutions.
      • Analyze how the studies’ findings relate to the psychological theories you previously cited.
      • Compare findings of the studies and assess how they support or contradict each other.
      • See if any contradiction is apparent. If so, try to  explain why the contradiction may have developed and which position is  more credible and why.
  • Create a heading titled Action Plan:  Based on your theoretical and research findings as well ethical and  cultural considerations, provide an action plan with recommendations for  how to resolve the problem you researched in a fair and just manner.
    • Make clear how the objectives of your plan are specific,  measurable, achievable, and relevant to the problem, and the timeline  for implementation should be.
    • Integrate information from your sources to support your recommendations.
  • Create a heading titled Conclusion:  Briefly summarize the importance of the problem, how psychological  theories, principles, and research may point to ways improve the  problem, and the implications for a larger societal problem or problems.

Keep in mind throughout this assessment that while your writing must  conform to APA standards, you must explain all information in a manner  that can be easily understood by a nonacademic or nonscientific  audience.

Refer to the Research Analysis and Action Plan Scoring Guide to ensure that you meet the grading criteria for this assessment.

Additional Requirements

Your assessment should meet the following requirements:

  • Written communication: Written communication is well organized and free of errors that detract from the overall message.
  • APA style: Comply with current APA style and formatting.
  • Number of resources: A minimum of three academic resources.
  • Length: 6–8 typed, double-spaced pages, excluding the cover page and references.
  • Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

INSTRUCTORS FEEDBACK

 

Thank you for submitting your u3a1 paper. SafeAssign indicated that  your paper has a 52% match for plagiarism and this is too high. While  you can use some of the same information from other assessments, you  copied verbatim the same information from assessments 1 and 2.  Assessment 3 asks for different information and you need to address  those questions as you will need to use all 3 assessments for your unit 4  presentation.

While the assessments do build on each other, they  do also require very different information. It would not make sense to  submit the same information for 3 assessments and you need the 3  assessments to complete the unit 4 presentation. The first assessment  asks you to choose a case study and analyze an ethical dilemma within  it, based on the application of ethical principles. You were asked to  think of this ethical analysis as a report you would make in a  professional context. Then in Assessment 2, you were asked to report on  cultural aspects of the same case. This is not the same as unit 1. In  Assessment 3, you were asked to apply psychological theories, research,  principles and standards to develop an action plan to resolve the case.  Again, this is not the same as unit 1 or unit 2 so you should not have  the exact same information submitted in all 3 papers. I hope this helps  as Assessment 4 asks you to submit your presentation to communicate your  research and plan based on your 3 assessments.

You  cited most places but had several areas where you did not cite. You are  almost there! You need to write in your own words only and cite properly  in order to demonstrate your own learning and understanding of the  material. In order to demonstrate your understanding of the material,  you need to write in your own words.

You are so close! If you  do include a quote, you need to cite it properly and use quotation  marks and page numbers in your citations. If a quote is 40 words or  more, you need to use block format. You can amend this paper and submit  your next revision. The problem is that you need to cite  properly when you take information from other sources. Please work with  your tutor to cite properly and consistently throughout your paper.

 Summarize at least three research studies that pertain to the problem. A  summary will provide your reader with a clear understanding of the  purpose of the study, the methods, and the findings.       Describe the research designs and methods used in the studies.

/in /by

Write a 6–8-page action plan to resolve issues in a case study  based on evaluation of relevant psychological theory, research,  principles, and standards.

When faced with a problem that involves psychology, you could merely  rely on lessons drawn from your own personal experience, but of course,  your education in this field has given you greatly enhanced sources of  guidance.

Preparation

Return to the case study that you considered in Assessments 1 and 2.

  • Identify two or three psychological theories and principles that  help to explain the reasons for the problem and point toward potential  solutions for it.
  • Use the Capella University Library to locate at least three  scholarly research studies in an area of psychology relevant to the  problem. If you have had the opportunity to conduct or assist formal  research in an academic or professional context, you may be able use the  study in this assessment. However, if you wish to do so, e-mail a copy  of the study to your instructor and ask for confirmation that it is  appropriate for the assessment.

Instructions

Complete the following:

  • Create a title page: Write a brief title that  concisely conveys the purpose of this report. It is suggested that you  use the APA Paper Template, linked in the Resources under the APA  Resources heading, to format your paper to format your work according to  the APA manual (current edition).
  • Write an introduction: For the introduction section of your paper, include the title at the top of the first page. (In APA format, the word Introduction is not used as a heading.) Briefly summarize:
    • The case you have chosen.
    • A high-level summary of ethical and cultural issues that you identified in the case.
    • How theories and research, in general terms, help explain the problems in the case and point toward solutions.
    • How the case relates to a larger societal problem or problems.
  • Create a heading titled Case Issues: Review the case issues, including the ethical and cultural issues, in more detail.
  • Create a heading titled Theoretical Framework:  Analyze how two or three psychological theories help explain the  problem and point toward potential solutions. In doing so, cite relevant  principles or concepts derived from these theories. For example:
    • Let us say that we are assisting an adolescent from Germany  who has moved to the United States and is having a rough time adjusting  to her new high school. In addition to information gathered from her,  her parents, and the school, we could consider Erikson’s psychosocial  theory and the stage of identity and role confusion in which adolescents  search to establish their own values, beliefs, and goals. During this  important time of identity development, the teen has been immersed in an  entirely different culture with values and beliefs different from the  one which she knows. We could consider to what extent she was mastering  the stage prior to and then after the move. Based on sociocultural  theory, we would enquire about the differences in culture that may be  impinging on her success in interacting in her new environment. By  integrating the two theories, we can get a better understanding of how  her developmental stage is clashing with her sociocultural context. We  might search for research on adolescent development and cross-cultural  experiences to get a better understanding of what research demonstrates  is effective in assisting teenagers in this position.
  • Create a heading titled Related Research:  Summarize at least three research studies that pertain to the problem. A  summary will provide your reader with a clear understanding of the  purpose of the study, the methods, and the findings.
    • Describe the research designs and methods used in the studies.
    • Use principles of critical thinking to evaluate the quality of the research and analyze the relevance to the problem.
      • Evaluate how the research methods employed support the studies’ findings.
      • Analyze how the studies’ findings explain reasons for the problem and point toward potential solutions.
      • Analyze how the studies’ findings relate to the psychological theories you previously cited.
      • Compare findings of the studies and assess how they support or contradict each other.
      • See if any contradiction is apparent. If so, try to  explain why the contradiction may have developed and which position is  more credible and why.
  • Create a heading titled Action Plan:  Based on your theoretical and research findings as well ethical and  cultural considerations, provide an action plan with recommendations for  how to resolve the problem you researched in a fair and just manner.
    • Make clear how the objectives of your plan are specific,  measurable, achievable, and relevant to the problem, and the timeline  for implementation should be.
    • Integrate information from your sources to support your recommendations.
  • Create a heading titled Conclusion:  Briefly summarize the importance of the problem, how psychological  theories, principles, and research may point to ways improve the  problem, and the implications for a larger societal problem or problems.

Keep in mind throughout this assessment that while your writing must  conform to APA standards, you must explain all information in a manner  that can be easily understood by a nonacademic or nonscientific  audience.

Refer to the Research Analysis and Action Plan Scoring Guide to ensure that you meet the grading criteria for this assessment.

Additional Requirements

Your assessment should meet the following requirements:

  • Written communication: Written communication is well organized and free of errors that detract from the overall message.
  • APA style: Comply with current APA style and formatting.
  • Number of resources: A minimum of three academic resources.
  • Length: 6–8 typed, double-spaced pages, excluding the cover page and references.
  • Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

INSTRUCTORS FEEDBACK

 

Thank you for submitting your u3a1 paper. SafeAssign indicated that  your paper has a 52% match for plagiarism and this is too high. While  you can use some of the same information from other assessments, you  copied verbatim the same information from assessments 1 and 2.  Assessment 3 asks for different information and you need to address  those questions as you will need to use all 3 assessments for your unit 4  presentation.

While the assessments do build on each other, they  do also require very different information. It would not make sense to  submit the same information for 3 assessments and you need the 3  assessments to complete the unit 4 presentation. The first assessment  asks you to choose a case study and analyze an ethical dilemma within  it, based on the application of ethical principles. You were asked to  think of this ethical analysis as a report you would make in a  professional context. Then in Assessment 2, you were asked to report on  cultural aspects of the same case. This is not the same as unit 1. In  Assessment 3, you were asked to apply psychological theories, research,  principles and standards to develop an action plan to resolve the case.  Again, this is not the same as unit 1 or unit 2 so you should not have  the exact same information submitted in all 3 papers. I hope this helps  as Assessment 4 asks you to submit your presentation to communicate your  research and plan based on your 3 assessments.

You  cited most places but had several areas where you did not cite. You are  almost there! You need to write in your own words only and cite properly  in order to demonstrate your own learning and understanding of the  material. In order to demonstrate your understanding of the material,  you need to write in your own words.

You are so close! If you  do include a quote, you need to cite it properly and use quotation  marks and page numbers in your citations. If a quote is 40 words or  more, you need to use block format. You can amend this paper and submit  your next revision. The problem is that you need to cite  properly when you take information from other sources. Please work with  your tutor to cite properly and consistently throughout your paper.

Conclusion slides: Briefly summarize your presentation. Provide a concise summary about the topics addressed. Reference slides: List all references cited in your presentation.

/in /by

INSTRUCTIONS

Create and record a slide presentation with accompanying verbal  narration, which comprises a comprehensive synthesis of your research  and recommendations concerning ethical and cultural considerations of a  case study and a research-based plan to resolve the case.

The ability to organize and effectively present information is  essential for securing employment and for effective performance as a  professional. Fundamental skills include both appropriate verbal  communication and visual design using presentation software to convey  content to an intended audience.

Create and record a slide presentation with accompanying verbal  narration, which comprises a comprehensive synthesis of your research  and recommendations concerning ethical and cultural considerations of a  case study and a research-based plan to resolve the case.

While examining your previous assessments and making decisions about  the essential information that will be presented, it is recommended that  you begin by creating an outline and comparing it to the Comprehensive  Case Presentation Scoring Guide to ensure you have specifically taken  into account and addressed all of the grading criteria in detail.

Slideshow Instructions

You may use PowerPoint to create this slideshow, or if you wish, you  may use Prezi or some other option. However, PowerPoint is best  supported by the resources provided. You are responsible for making your  presentation work.

For each assessment you have written in the course thus far, create  8–10 slides that provide a high-level explanation or summary. In other  words, you should create a minimum of 24 slides, plus a title slide,  introduction slide, conclusion slide, and references slide. Use a clear  and concise structure.

  • Title slide: On the first slide, enter:
    • A brief title of the presentation. Your name.
    • Course number and title.
    • Capella University.
    • FlexPath instructor’s name.
  • Introduction slides: Provide a brief introduction to your presentation. Describe what you will be discussing in your presentation.
  • Content slides: Provide a high-level overview of the salient points from Assessments 1–3.
  • Conclusion slides: Briefly summarize your presentation. Provide a concise summary about the topics addressed.
  • Reference slides: List all references cited in your presentation.

All slides should include presenter notes (a minimum of three  paragraphs) of what you will say for each slide. You may use information  directly from your previous assessments when writing presenter notes.  However, entries should be edited so that they are written as if you are  speaking to an audience or a potential employer, for example. You can  utilize the presenter notes when recording the audio piece of the  presentation.

Voice-Over Instructions

Your presentation should include a comprehensive audio voice-over  presenting essential information for each slide. Elements of good verbal  delivery include:

  • Appropriate volume and clear pronunciation.
  • Avoidance of audible fidgeting and distracting interjections.
  • Variety of intonation and pacing and appropriate use of pauses.

Important: Before you record your presentation, it  is recommended that you allow ample time to practice your presentation  until you are comfortable with these elements.

Note: If you require the use of assistive technology  or alternative communication methods to participate in these  activities, please contact Disability Services to request  accommodations.

MY INSTRUCTORS FEEDBACK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT

 

Thank you for submitting your unit 4 presentation. You did not  include and present all of the information from your first 3  assessments.

Directions state, for each assessment you have  written in the course thus far, create 8–10 slides that provide a  high-level explanation or summary. In other words, you should create a  minimum of 24 slides, plus a title slide, introduction slides,  conclusion slides, and references slides. You included 8 slides plus  title and reference, introduction, and conclusion slides. You need to  fully develop your work to show your understanding and to meet all of  the requirements.

Directions state “All slides should include  presenter notes (a minimum of three paragraphs) of what you will say for  each slide. You may use information directly from your previous  assessments when writing presenter notes. However, entries should be  edited so that they are written as if you are speaking to an audience or  a potential employer, for example. You can utilize the presenter notes  when recording the audio piece of the presentation.” You need to include  presenter’s notes at least 3 paragraphs per slide.

You did not follow APA formatting rules. Continue to work on APA  formatting – this is an important part of scholarly writing in the field  of psychology – it gives you the author credibility. I recommend  reviewing the 6th Edition of the APA Manual as well.  Thank you for your hard work and best wishes to you as you continue on  in our program and beyond!!

Cheers!

Dr. Gilston