There are very different views of what types of evidence are most credible in evaluating the effectiveness of psychological treatment research. In this discussion you will analyze basic applied psychological research as well as evaluate how researchers applied a research process in the development of specific components. To begin, read the following articles (which can be accessed through the ProQuest database in the Ashford University Library):

• “Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology: Implications for Research and Research Training”
• “Practice-Based Evidence: Back to the Future”
• “Psychological Treatments: Putting Evidence into Practice and Practice into Evidence”

After reading the articles listed above, select two of them.  Analyze the basic applied research within each of your two selected articles by answering the following questions:

• What is the main point-of-view in each article?
• What are the primary assumptions each author makes?
• Which author are you inclined to agree with?  Support your choice with scholarly reasoning and cite your evidence.

You are required to include one peer-reviewed source that was published within the last five years to support your perspective.  You may not use any of the sources that were assigned for this course.  For assistance finding articles view the “Searching for Articles” and the “Peer-Reviewed Articles” tutorials which are available under Tutorials on the Getting Research Help tab at the top of the Ashford University Library homepage.

Guided Response: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Provide a substantive response to at least two of your peers. As you respond to your peers, consider the following:

• What evidence did they use to support their perspectives?
• Do you agree or disagree with their conclusions?  Support your position with evidence from the articles.
• What alternative conclusions could be drawn from the evidence they discussed?

In this assignment, you will create the thesis statement for your Final Assignment. The thesis is the statement of your perspectives on the literature. It should also include the rationale and relevant empirical and theoretical background supporting your perspectives. The primary objective of this assignment is to outline specific areas of inquiry you intend to answer in the course of the Integrative Literature Review. Although they may change during the course of the review, articulating these areas of inquiry early will help provide focus and direction for your research.

Begin by introducing the areas of inquiry to be included in your Integrative Literature Review. Explain your perspective on the literature and include how you arrived at this viewpoint, how the literature you have chosen to include supports this viewpoint, and why this perspective is relevant to the field of psychology.

Based on your introduction, briefly discuss the literature you have chosen by integrating concepts developed from your four different content domains. Be sure to utilize at least one peer-reviewed source per domain. Construct clear and concise arguments using evidence-based psychological concepts and theories to support your perspectives regarding the literature.

To conclude your assignment, identify any overarching implications shown in the studies and describe how these influenced your perspectives on the literature.

The Integrative Literature Review: Thesis Statement

• Must be two to three double-spaced pages in length (not including title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a separate title page with the following:
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted
• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
• Must use at least four peer-reviewed sources (one source per domain).
• Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a separate reference list that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.