Aspect of Practicum Experience

II. Literature review   The purpose of this section is to demonstrate the student’s ability to relate current research and theory to a specific aspect of the practicum work. This section of the paper will focus on a literature review as described in the following guidelines:   1. The review should focus on a specific aspect of the practicum experience (e.g., work with a specific population, treatment of a particular diagnostic category, the use of a particular technique of therapy, or the implementation of a particular theoretical model). The topic must be related to the practicum experience.   2. Carefully select a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow. The advisor will assist the student in defining a suitable topic.   3. The review should cover current research and theory about the topic, generally emphasizing the past five years but not omitting pertinent classic studies. Most references should be from recent professional journal articles and original sources. Excessive numbers of references from textbooks, self-help books, and the popular literature should be avoided. It is permissible to reference workshops, conferences, and other unpublished sources. For examples of published literature reviews see the Annual Review of Psychology or Psychological Bulletin. A minimum of 25 references is required.   4. As appropriate, the literature review should discuss the topic from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Important controversies about etiology and treatment approaches should be presented. Methodological issues relating to empirical research on the topic should usually also be addressed.   5. The student is responsible for evaluating and drawing conclusions about the research and theory presented.   6. The student may discuss how the material reviewed in the literature relates to his/her clinical experience. It is appropriate to illustrate and evaluate studies with examples from the practicum work.   7. All sources cited in the text must be included in the reference list. The reference list must include only sources cited in the text. II. Literature Review         Focuses on specific aspect of clinical experience _____                 Includes current thinking, research & theory _____     Majority of references are from recent professional journals and original resources ____           APA (6th Ed.) format is observed (margins, font size, referencing, unbiased language) _____       Important controversies or differing perspectives are presented _____      Critical evaluation of research is present _____      Student illustrates literature with personal clinical examples _____             Understands the fundamentals of research _____               Integrates psychological research into practice _____             Frames vital questions clearly _____                    Evaluates relevant information and its sources _____                Demonstrates respectful engagement of others’ ideas, behaviors, and beliefs _____                  Applies diverse frames of reference to decisions and actions _____                                               Resolves issues based on evidence weighed against relevant criteria _____