Career Research Paper Outline: Integrated Theory of Career Development

Textbook:
Your outline submission will consist of two sections, a written description, and a table.
Written Outline
Your written outline must include the following elements.
Introduction
Write a paragraph, including a clear thesis statement, describing what you plan to do in your paper and how you intend to do it.
Framework
Write a maximum of three double-spaced pages for this section. It must be written in sentence/paragraph format—do not use bullets.
Choose only Option 1: Counselling Phases or Option 2: Client Issues (not both) for your paper, and explain your choice.
Identify two or three elements under “Counselling Phases” from Option 1 or two or three elements under “Client Issues” from Option 2.
You will need to talk to your tutor about how many elements you include. For instance, some client barriers can be discussed in a short paper, while others may be too complex to take on here (for example, a client with multiple barriers, such as low self-esteem, racial discrimination, learning disabilities, and a history of sexual abuse).
References to and citations of the course materials (textbook, online readings, and study guide commentary) are required. Remember that you must support (with references and citations) and justify your assertions.
Provide at least two examples of how you propose to relate the elements that you chose in Step 2 above to personal/professional practitioner beliefs, to clients, to theories, and to the counsellor workplace.
Conclusion
Write a few sentences summarizing the key points you have come to understand from completing the outline.
Table
Using the table in either Option 1 or Option 2, below, as a guideline, create a table that summarizes how you intend to relate the counseling-phases or client-issue elements that you have chosen to the factors of theory, practitioner beliefs, client characteristics, and counselor workplace. Append it to your written outline. You may use bullet format in your table.
Options for Integrated Theory of Career Development Paper
OPTION 1: COUNSELLING PHASES
Option 1 allows you to discuss theories, practitioner beliefs, client characteristics, and counsellor workplace in relation to a series of phases in the counselling process. For instance, in identifying the problem or setting goals in the counselling process, you might refer to Super’s life stages or career maturity. In a clarifying self-awareness step, you might refer to type theory, life-space mapping, life roles, spiritual meaning-making, and so on.
Counselling Phases Theory Practitioner Beliefs Client Characteristics Counsellor Workplace (Context)
assessment
problem identification and formulation
goal setting
development of means
implementation
evaluation
review
exiting

Marking Guidelines for Outline Option 1: Counselling Phases
Introduction States the thesis statement /5
Outlines what you plan to do in your paper, and how you intend to do it
Counselling Phases Three phases are chosen from the list provided. N/A
Note: No marks are associated with this part; however, the phases must be included in the write-up. Otherwise, the outline receives a zero “0” grade.
Theory Options Appropriate theories applied to each of the three counselling phases chosen and rationales provided for each /15
More than one theory may apply per counselling phase.
Practitioner Beliefs Appropriate practitioner beliefs described as they relate to each of the three counselling phases and theory options /20
Client Characteristics Description of the client population: appropriate client issues identified and described /15
Counsellor Workplace The counsellor workplace where you are interacting with the client is described. /15
Conclusions A complete, concise summary of the paper’s structure and/or points made is given. /5
APA Style There is correct and consistent use of APA (6th ed.) in title page, references, and citations (primary and interpreted, and secondary where applicable). /15
There is a full list of the references you have selected for your final paper, written in APA 6th edition style.
Discretion Do the parts fit together to present a persuasive and cohesive paper? Do your ideas flow logically throughout the paper? /10
Did you support your arguments and assertions with more evidence than your own opinion?
How well do you express your ideas? This is influenced by appropriate wording, economy of language (i.e., concise language), academic tone, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
Have you displayed thoughtfulness, creativity, and originality?
Subtotal /100
Final Mark /10
OPTION 2: CLIENT ISSUES
Option 2 allows you to organize your integrated discussion around a set of client issues or barriers, such as lack of self-knowledge, distorted beliefs, low self-esteem/efficacy, family responsibilities, unrealistic perceptions of the work world, career immaturity, and so on.
The client issues listed below are examples only. These are simply provided to help you get started. You are expected to come up with your own issues.
Examples of Client Issues
(you are to identify specific issues) Theory Options Practitioner Beliefs Counsellor Workplace (Context)
low self-esteem
acceptance of credentials
lack of knowledge
family responsibilities
unrealistic beliefs about the workplace
distorted beliefs about commitment
external locus of control
fear of failure
financial mismanagement
problem with authority
conflicting aspirations
lack of support
Marking Guidelines for Option 2: Client Issues
Introduction States the thesis statement /5
Outlines what you plan to do in your paper, and how you intend to do it
Client Issues Three issues are chosen from your own list (not the example list provided). N/A
Note: No marks are associated with this part; however, the issues must be included in the write-up. Otherwise, the outline receives a zero “0” grade.
Theory Options Appropriate theories applied to each of the three counselling issues identified and rationales provided for each /20
More than one theory may apply per counselling issue.
Practitioner Beliefs Appropriate practitioner beliefs described as they relate to each of the three counselling issues and theory options /20
Counsellor Workplace The counsellor workplace where you are interacting with the client is described. /20
Conclusions A complete, concise summary of the paper’s structure and/or points made is given. /10
APA Style There is correct and consistent use of APA (6th ed.) in title page, references, and citations (primary and interpreted, and secondary where applicable). /15
There is a full list of the references you have selected for your final paper, written in APA 6th edition style.
Discretion Do the parts fit together to present a persuasive and cohesive paper? Do your ideas flow logically throughout the paper? /10
Did you support your arguments and assertions with more evidence than your own opinion?
How well do you express your ideas? This is influenced by appropriate wording, economy of language (i.e., concise language), academic tone, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
Have you displayed thoughtfulness, creativity, and originality?
Subtotal /100
Final Mark /10
Part II: Integrated Theory of Career Development Paper
Weight: 30%, although the grade out of 10% that you will have received for your approved paper outline will be added for a total out of 40%
Length: 10–12 double-spaced pages (excluding title page and references)
Due: after you have received your tutor’s approval of your paper outline
You must get your tutor’s approval of your outline before you write and submit your final paper. You will not be able to access the assignment drop box for the final paper until you have received your tutor’s approval of your outline.
Before you begin writing this assignment, read the Academic Integrity section of the Student Manual and watch the Academic Integrity video tutorial on our main course page.
The paper must be an original work; that is, not copied from someone else, and not used in this course in a previous registration or in any other course taken at Athabasca University or elsewhere. Otherwise, this constitutes plagiarism and academic misconduct.
For the purposes of this assignment, all direct quotes and paraphrased information must be cited appropriately, accurately, and completely—also, page numbers or paragraph numbers (where page numbers are not available) must be given for both direct quotes and paraphrased information. See APA tutorial.
Structure
Your essay should be an academic paper complete with a title page, introduction, body (an elaboration of your outline for either Option 1 or Option 2), conclusion, and reference page, using APA 6th edition format.
Your introduction should include a clear thesis statement of what you plan to do in the paper and how you intend to do it. You can structure the body of your paper using the four headings (from the option you choose) as your main sections. The elements that you address under each of the headings can form sub-headings.
For example, for Option 2:
Title Page (including header and page numbers throughout)
Introduction (main heading)
Description of Practitioner’s Workplace (sub-heading)
General Clientele (sub-heading)
Client Issues (main heading)
Acceptance of Credentials (sub-heading)
Lack of Support (sub-heading)
My Beliefs (main heading)
Acceptance of Credentials (sub-heading)
Lack of Support (sub-heading)
Theory (main heading)
Acceptance of Credentials (sub-heading)
Lack of Support (sub-heading)
Counsellor Workplace (main heading)
Acceptance of Credentials (sub-heading)
Lack of Support (sub-heading)
Conclusion (main heading)
Reference Page
Remember to write a conclusion for your paper that summarizes what you have learned (in thinking about and writing the assignment) or the implications of what you have written about.
The Four Stages of Writing Research Papers section in the Course Information gives you an outline of the research essay writing process.
Your paper must be written in sentence/paragraph format (do not use bullets). It should be double-spaced, in 12-point font, with 2.5 cm (or 1 inch) margins.
Your paper must be submitted as a DOCX, DOC, or RTF document. Do not submit your paper as an ODT or ODF, WPS, or PDF document, as your tutor will not be able to open and/or grade it efficiently or completely.
Marking Guidelines for Integrated Theory Paper
Introduction States the thesis clearly /10
Provides a detailed description of practitioner’s workplace and clientele
Review and Integration of Literature In-depth description of information in the course textbook and readings that is relevant to the topic (Option 1 or Option 2) /30
The thesis statement, theory options, practitioner beliefs, and counsellor workplace are addressed with a balanced perspective, and are well discussed in some depth in an integrated presentation format (rather than a linear format).
Critical Analysis Integrated discussion of the thesis statement, theory options, practitioner beliefs, and counsellor workplace is based on the course textbook and readings (referenced and cited) and independent analysis. There are comments on anticipated problems, ethical issues, and outcomes. /20
Conclusion Complete, concise summary of the paper’s structure and/or points made in the report /10
APA Style There is correct and consistent use of APA (6th ed.) in title page, references, and citations (primary and interpreted, and secondary where applicable). /15
Writing Skills Excellent organization. No errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Transitions from one section to the next are clear and logical. A well-organized report may use headings. Direct quotations and paraphrasing are complete and accurate (no patch writing). Paper is free of plagiarism and interpretation errors. /15
Sub Total /100
Final Mark /30
This assignment has two separate parts, please complete them separately.