dissertation topics on trauma

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Wounds and writing : building trauma-informed approaches to writing pedagogy..

Michelle L. Day , University of Louisville Follow

Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

Document type.

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Degree program.

English Rhetoric and Composition, PhD

Committee Chair

Sheridan, Mary P.

Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)

Kopelson, Karen

Committee Member

Willey, Beth

Sar, Bibhuti

Author's Keywords

trauma; pedagogy; writing; distress; students; resilience

This dissertation builds a trauma-informed approach to writing pedagogy informed by writing studies scholarship about trauma and inclusive pedagogy, clinical social work literature on trauma-informed care, and interviews with nine current University of Louisville writing faculty about their experiences academically supporting distressed students. I identify three central touchstones—“students are coddled,” “teacher’s aren’t therapists,” and “institutions don’t support trauma-informed teaching”—in scholarly and public debates regarding what to do about student trauma/distress in higher education. After exploring the valid concerns and misconceptions underpinning these touchstones, I illustrate how clinical research offers a way forward to help writing instructors develop more complex understandings of and responses to trauma’s impact on their classrooms. I conclude by describing six criteria that define Trauma-Informed Writing Pedagogy (TIWP), an approach to writing instruction that faculty and administrators can adapt to their own teaching styles and contexts. Appendix 2 describes TIWP in detail, offering suggestions, resources, and other materials. This instructional approach has important implications for fostering inclusive pedagogies and responding to mental health crises across college campuses.

Recommended Citation

Day, Michelle L., "Wounds and writing : building trauma-informed approaches to writing pedagogy." (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3178. https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/3178

Since July 17, 2019

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• Aspects of Spirituality as Moderators in the Relationship between Trauma Exposure and Trauma Symptoms The purpose of this quantitative research was to examine the moderating role of different aspects of spirituality, including cognitive orientation to spirituality, the experiential/phenomenological dimensions of spirituality, and religiousness, on the relationship between trauma exposure and trauma symptoms when such symptoms are defined to include both PTSD and DESNOS. Author: Kimberly B. Chase-Brennan, Northcentral University.
• Cognitive Behavioral-based Group Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Following a Natural Disaster The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of a community-based group therapy program for psychological trauma following a natural disaster. Author: Robert S. Cavera, Hofstra University.
• Disability and Disasters: The Role of Self-Efficacy in Emergency Preparedness and Psychological Symptoms This study examined the moderating role of emergency preparedness self-efficacy on the relationships between the perception of threat associated with natural and human-made disasters and outcomes, including behaviors (emergency preparedness) and psychological symptoms (anxiety and distress), for adults with physical disabilities. Author: Jennifer E. Marceron, The George Washington University.
• Dissociation Differences Between Human-made Trauma and Natural Disaster Trauma This study explored for differences in the extent and forms of dissociation, intrusion, and avoidance in human-made trauma and natural disaster trauma. Author: Heather Merrell, George Fox University.
• The Effects of Mortality Salience and Conceptual Focus in CISM Providers: Implications for Mental Health Response to Mass Fatality Disasters The goal of the present study was to replicate previously observed effects of mortality salience on worldview defense in a sample of disaster responders, specifically Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) providers, and to examine the potential moderating effect of conceptual mode (rational versus experiential) on these effects. CISM providers may include personnel from fire, police, military, mental health, and other fields that respond to disasters. Author: Hope E. Morrow, Northcentral University.
• EMDR Integrated Group Treatment Protocol for Secondary Traumatic Stress/Vicarious Trauma in First Responders The proposed study utilized a quantitative quasi-experimental research design. Considerations in this study were whether the proposed treatment, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing-integrated group treatment protocol (EMDR-IGTP) was effective in decreasing PTSD-like symptoms associated with VT/STS and increasing post-traumatic growth (PTG). Author: Michelle D. Morrissey, Northcentral University.
• Is Home Where the Heart Is? Community Resilience and Mass Trauma in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina he study provides details about each of the possible psychological outcomes as a result of experiencing a traumatic event and provides an outline for what the psychological experience of trauma might entail. Author: Monica Powers, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
• Risk and Protective Factors in National Guard Chaplain Responses to Disaster and Trauma Examines the relationship between risk and protective factors associated with burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress in National Guard chaplains and chaplain assistants responding to disaster and noncombat trauma. Author: Michael J. Rakow, Wheaton College.
• The Role of Gender, Social Support, Previous Trauma, and Combat Exposure in the Development of PTSD The present study is intended to provide important information on the risk and protective factors for PTSD in service members. Author: Christina A. Maretta, Hofstra University.
• Secondary Traumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Growth: Risk and Protective Factors among American Red Cross Disaster Responders and Disaster Mental Health Workers This study examined risk and protective factors in disaster relief workers for secondary traumatic stress and posttraumatic growth. Author: Sarah A. Beckmann, University of Minnesota.
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Research questions in pre-hospital trauma care

David j. lockey.

1 Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University, London, United Kingdom

2 London’s Air Ambulance, Royal London Hospital, London, United Kingdom

Noting that a variety of pre-hospital interventions can now be applied to treat traumatic injury, David J Lockey calls for research to determine which of these actually improve survival and reduce morbidity.

The evidence base for pre-hospital trauma care

Twenty years ago, an editorial examining the evidence for, and worldwide expenditure on, pre-hospital emergency care noted that—despite considerable expenditure—the evidence base for the field was less than that of urticaria or constipation [ 1 ]. Much has been published since, but many key questions about the provision of early trauma care still have to be addressed [ 2 ].

Most advanced EMS (Emergency Medical Service) systems are designed to identify seriously injured trauma patients and transport them rapidly to a suitable hospital. Many also dispatch advanced clinical teams with extended skills to the scene. These teams provide interventions to either treat time-critical pathology or to avert deterioration or death before in-hospital interventions are available. In low- and middle-income countries, EMS infrastructure rarely allows advanced on-scene care, and basic infrastructure improvements (e.g., effective ambulance services) are a higher priority.

Advanced trauma systems are inclusive—they quality assure the whole trauma care pathway from point of injury to rehabilitation. This approach encourages parallel development of pre- and in-hospital services and increases attention on the quality of care outside the major trauma centre, usually the priority site for trauma care initiatives. “Early” trauma care interventions are often described as commencing in the receiving emergency department, but as hospital survival improves an increasing proportion of trauma deaths occur in the pre-hospital phase of care. Despite this, significant pre-hospital trauma research with potential for improving outcomes remains limited. Most pre-hospital trauma research studies are based on trauma registry data, sometimes using prospective or before-and-after study designs, and randomised trials are rare. Studies have usually focussed on which interventions deliver benefit and how they can be delivered.

What can be delivered currently?

In Europe, where pre-hospital care is frequently physician-delivered, advanced pre-hospital critical care interventions are often performed at the scene of the injury, and new interventions are reported regularly. Advanced interventions are less commonly reported in the United States, where pre-hospital care is delivered by nonphysicians. Pre-hospital anaesthesia, mechanical ventilation, chest decompression, resuscitative thoracotomy, and advanced monitoring have been performed for many years. More recently reported interventions include pre-hospital transfusion [ 3 ], extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ 4 ], CT scanning with stroke thrombolysis [ 5 ], resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta [ 6 ], and point-of-care testing (e.g., ultrasound imaging, blood gas analysis, plasma lactate, and tissue oxygen saturation). This wide range of interventions indicates that, with sufficient resources and training, most in-hospital interventions can be delivered before hospital arrival.

The delivery of advanced interventions on scene is promoted on the basis that, if left untreated until hospital arrival, some patients will die or suffer morbidity from uncorrected time-critical pathology. The in-hospital intensive care principle of “critical care without walls” [ 7 ]—that patients should be treated on the basis of their compromise rather than their geographical location—can similarly be applied to pre-hospital trauma care. Airway compromise, haemorrhage and tension pneumothorax have been the focus of most time-critical interventions to date. Now that a wide range of interventions that can be applied in the pre-hospital phase of care has been established, the more difficult question of which interventions should be performed is the research challenge for the immediate future.

Key questions

True innovation is rare in pre-hospital trauma care. Most promising interventions are developed in-hospital and, where practical, translated into the pre-hospital phase of care. Major breakthroughs in pre-hospital trauma care are likely to follow the same breakthroughs in in-hospital practice—effective blood substitutes and haemostatic and neuroprotective techniques are, for example, aspirations in both areas. There are exceptions to this, and some technological advances may only be applicable in the pre-hospital phase of care. Examples include vehicle automatic crash notification technology or the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance or for the rapid delivery of equipment or interventions to the scene of injury.

Although surgical interventions receive most attention, they are the most difficult to introduce into routine pre-hospital practice, and less invasive interventions may also have the potential to improve outcomes. Technological advances make many modes of monitoring and investigation readily available to pre-hospital care providers. Diagnostic ultrasound and tissue oxygen saturation [ 8 ] are 2 examples. Pharmacological pre-hospital interventions are straightforward to administer; tranexamic acid [ 9 ] is an example of a drug reported to provide benefit when administered as early as possible after insult. Anticoagulant reversal after head injury [ 10 ] is a more recent pharmacological pre-hospital intervention. Other agents have the potential to modify the response to hypoperfusion and prevent organ damage when administered early after injury [ 11 ].

Studies in the pre-hospital phase of care may improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of hyperacute injury and yield new knowledge of which interventions might influence outcomes, and by what mechanisms. Some early mortality may only be reduced by accident prevention or mitigation techniques, but to reduce mortality on scene in those who are seriously injured requires a deeper understanding of early injury pathophysiology, the timelines of deterioration, markers of severity, and the requirement for early intervention. Current physiological markers, e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, and plasma lactate [ 12 ] are insensitive and often give little indication of which patients will deteriorate quickly. Inflammatory markers have been described as possible indicators of injury severity and prognosis but are not yet available for practical use in resuscitation.

Once efficacy has been established, the question of how interventions should be delivered is more about pre-hospital service infrastructure than the interventions themselves. Although the principles of the US model of trauma care have been influential in many countries, there is surprising variation and disagreement about how care should be delivered. Provider levels, transport methods, and triage and hospital bypass guidelines are all the subject of controversy and still require investigation to maximise benefit in resource-limited systems. In cardiac arrest research early identification, dispatcher advice and instructions to bystanders have been identified as key factors in progress [ 13 ]. Not all trauma patients have the same treatment urgency as victims of medical cardiac arrest, but many of the concepts and priorities are the same.

Barriers to conducting pre-hospital research

The barriers to effective pre-hospital trauma research are substantial. Trials involving acutely injured patients who cannot consent to treatment or trial recruitment are possible but arduous. Even well-designed randomised trials usually compromise to achieve recruitment, for example in using randomisation by provider, vehicle, or region rather than of patients [ 14 ]. The lack of standardisation in case mix, providers, timelines, and endpoints can make generalisability of results difficult. Patients with very severe injuries tend to have many interventions during their hospital stay which may vary both in, and between, trauma centres. Mortality may therefore be an insensitive outcome measure of an isolated pre-hospital intervention. Pre-hospital trauma registry studies are increasingly performed with larger patient numbers [ 15 ], but patient heterogeneity, inconsistency in the care provided, and incomplete data make interpretation of this type of study difficult—particularly with mortality as the primary outcome. Even well-funded studies can encounter major limitations when service providers do not recruit and deliver interventions consistently [ 16 ].

Pre-hospital trauma care is a relatively undeveloped research area. Many advanced interventions are now possible, and future studies need to establish which improve survival and reduce morbidity. Advanced surgical interventions are likely to target a small number of severely injured patients in high-income countries but have shown promise. In-hospital trauma mortality is declining, and research to target accident prevention and reduce the mortality of patients who die before reaching hospital is key to reducing overall trauma mortality.

Funding Statement

The author received no funding for this work.

Provenance: Commissioned; not externally peer reviewed

30 Best Trauma Research Topics

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Best Trauma Research Topics

Getting the best trauma research topics can be a hassle. But we have selected the best ones for you.

• Impacts of trauma on child development
• The use of creative arts in treating childhood trauma
• How does parental care relate to childhood trauma?
• The trauma of child sexual abuse
• Prevalence and impact of child traumatic stress
• Perpetrators of trauma

Interesting Trauma Research Topics

Are you looking for exciting trauma research topics? We have some recommendations for you:

• How to use art to express trauma
• Current status of trauma treatment
• The biology of trauma
• Cultural perspective of trauma
• Impact of traumatic brain injury
• Effectiveness of traumatic brain injury rehabilitation

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• Correlation of brain injuries trauma and seizures
• Correlation of child sexual abuse and chronic trauma
• What is urban trauma?
• Chronic trauma effects of war
• Chronic urban trauma: Violence induced trauma
• Correlation between childhood trauma and chronic depression in adulthood

Expert Trauma Research Topics

Are you looking for expert trauma research topics? Check the list below:

• Correlation between childhood  trauma and chronic fatigue syndrome
• Chronic trauma in impact sports
• Traumatic and chronic depression among patients with anxiety disorders
• Gender difference in traumatic episodes
• Impacts of chronic diseases on trauma
• The impact of COVID-19 traumatic stressors on mental health

Hot Trauma Research Topics

Finally, we have some hot trauma research topics. Once you select one from the list below, ensure you consult us for sources and writing services.

• Impact of COVID 19 on traumatic trends
• Complex Trauma in children and adolescents
• Complex trauma in adults
• Trauma island psychological damage of female genital mutilation
• Complex trauma among psychiatrically impaired children
• Trauma in the family business

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Also check out: The Best Child Psychology Research Topics

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Psychology Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 10th, 2023 , Revised On April 16, 2024

Introduction

Psychology entails the study of mental processes and behaviour. Over the last several years, the demand for psychology graduates has continuously risen due to the growing number of people with psychic problems.

As a psychology student, you can explore one of the many areas of psychology as part of your dissertation project. You can specialize in industrial physiology, mental health, behavioural psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology, social psychology, biological psychology, and psychosocial psychology.

While there are many topic options for psychology students, make sure that you choose one where there is a gap in the literature and more work needs to be done.

To help you get started with brainstorming for psychology topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your psychology dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the topic,  research question ,  aim and objectives ,  literature review  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  dissertation examples  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

Review the full list of  dissertation topics here.

2024 Psychology Research Topics

Impact of automation in the manufacturing sector on employee distress and happiness in the uk- an exploratory study finding the psychoeconomic factors.

Research Aim: This study intends to find the impact of automation in the manufacturing sector on employee distress and happiness in the UK. It will explore the moderating Psychoeconomic (Psychological and Economic) factors affected by the increasing automation in the manufacturing industry, affecting the employees’ distress and happiness levels. Furthermore, it will examine the strategies implemented by the manufacturing companies to prevent their employees from the anxiety and unhappiness induced by automation after the technological revolution.

Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance Among Adults Working from Home during COVID-19 in the UK

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance among adults working from home during COVID-19 in the UK. It will identify how sleep deprivation during COVID-19 affected various mental abilities of employees who were forced to work from home. It will also see how these abilities affect the employees’ productivity during COVID-19. Additionally, it will show the policies adopted by the companies to prevent their employees from working overtime to have a proper sleep. And how does it improve their cognitive performance and productivity?

Effects of Bad Incidents on the Children’s Intelligence- A Critical Assessment through a Clinical Psychology Lens

Research Aim: This research shows the effects of bad incidents on children’s intelligence. It will use a clinical psychology lens to show how clinicians see the relationship between bad incidents in childhood and their impact on children’s intelligence in later life. And in which was these incidents shape the intelligence of children while growing up. Furthermore, it will present a wide range of clinical procedures to overcome the lingering effects of bad incidents on children’s intelligence in later life.

Impact of Marriage Satisfaction on Job Performance in High-Stress Jobs- A Case of Individuals Working in Investment Firms in the UK

Research Aim: This research analyses the impact of marriage satisfaction on job performance in high-stress jobs. It will use investment firms in the UK as a case study to analyse how marriage satisfaction affects the performance of men and women working in these high-stress jobs such as trading and investments. Moreover, it will explore various psychological parts of the job affected by the problems in a marriage. Lastly, it will recommend ways to offset the bad effects of unstable marriage to improve job performance.

The Role of Educational-Psychological Counseling in Career Selection among Immigrant Children in the UK

Research Aim: This research investigates the role of educational-psychological counselling in career selection among immigrant children in the UK. It will show how educational-psychological counselling different aspects of their academic life and help them decide what to pursue in later life. It will also show how this counselling can help them believe that despite coming from outside of the UK, they still have a chance to succeed.

Covid-19 Psychology Research Topics

Topic 1: impacts of coronavirus on the mental health of various age groups.

Research Aim: This study will reveal the impacts of coronavirus on the mental health of various age groups

Topic 2: Mental health and psychological resilience during COVID-19

Research Aim: Social distancing has made people isolated and affected their mental health. This study will highlight various measures to overcome the stress and mental health of people during coronavirus.

Topic 3: The mental health of children and families during COVID-19

Research Aim: This study will address the challenging situations faced by children and families during lockdown due to COVID-19. It will also discuss various ways to overcome the fear of disease and staying positive.

Topic 4: Mental wellbeing of patients during Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: This study will focus on the measures taken by the hospital management, government, and families, to ensure the mental wellbeing of patients, especially COVID-19 patients.

Psychology Dissertation Topics for 2024

Topic 1: kids and their relatives with cancer: psychological challenges.

Research Aim: In cancer diagnoses and therapies, children often don’t know what happens. Many have psychosocial problems, including rage, terror, depression, disturbing their sleep, inexpiable guilt, and panic. Therefore, this study identifies and treats the child and its family members’ psychological issues.

Topic 2: Hematopoietic device reaction in ophthalmology patient’s radiation therapy

Research Aim: This research is based on the analysis of hematopoietic devices’ reactions to ophthalmology’s radiation.

Topic 3: Psychological effects of cyberbullying Vs. physical bullying: A counter study

Research Aim: This research will focus on the effects of cyberbullying and physical bullying and their consequences on the victim’s mental health. The most significant part is the counter effects on our society’s environment and human behaviour, particularly youth.

Topic 4: Whether or not predictive processing is a theory of perceptual consciousness?

Research Aim: This research aims to identify: whether or not predictive processing is a theory of perceptual consciousness?

Topic 5: Importance of communication in a relationship

Research Aim: This research aims to address the importance of communication in relationships and the communication gap consequences.

Topic 6: Eating and personality disorders

Research Aim: This research aims to focus on eating and personality disorders

Topic 7: Analysis of teaching, assessment, and evaluation of students and learning differences

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse teaching methods, assessment, and evaluation systems of students and their learning differences

Topic 8: Social and psychological effects of virtual networks

Research Aim: This research aims to study the social and psychological effects of virtual networks

Topic 9: The role of media in provoking aggression

Research Aim: This research aims to address the role of media and in provoking aggression among people

Psychology Dissertation Topics for 2023

Topic 1: assessing the advantages and disadvantages of positive reinforcement in special education.

Research Aim: The strength and importance of praise in the workplace can have a significant impact on employees and move them from apathy to more happiness and satisfaction. Positive reinforcement motivates and encourages people for their respective tasks. This research aims to assess the advantages and disadvantages of positive reinforcement in special education.

Topic 2: Assessing the relationship between depression and anxiety from the perspective of student academic performance

Research Aim: Emotional disturbance is considered to be a psychological element that can lead to the deterioration of the daily activities of students. Since academic achievements are an integral dimension of students’ lives, depression, anxiety, and other emotional disturbance might lead to poor academic performance. Therefore, this research aims to assess the relationship between depression and anxiety on student academic performance.

Topic 3: How cognitive behaviour therapy helps in dealing with depressed adolescents

Research Aim: Cognitive behavioural theory is regarded as a well-established therapy for depression and other various mental illnesses in children and adolescents. It might be because CBT can reduce suicidal behaviour and thoughts amongst adolescents. The main purpose of this research is to identify how cognitive behaviour therapy can help in dealing with depressed adolescents.

Topic 4: Analysing the psychological impact of bullying on children’s personality and development

Research Aim: Any public humiliation can result in a child’s misconceptions, confusion and misunderstanding about their own personality and the surrounding world. Public humiliation can damage the psychology of children and hinder their overall physical and mental development. The key purpose of this study is to analyse the psychological impact of bullying on children’s personalities and development.

Topic 5: Assessing the impact of psychological pricing on consumer purchase intention

Research Aim: Psychological pricing, also known as charm pricing and price ending, is a market pricing strategy in which certain prices can have a psychological impact on consumers. This strategy also includes a slightly less than a round number, e.g. 2.99, which could incline consumers to make purchase decisions in favour of the seller. Hence, this research aims to assess the impact of psychological pricing on consumer purchase intention.

Topic 6: Borderline Personality Disorder and Self-Cutting Behaviors – Are they Inter Related?

Research Aim: Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental health disorder that impacts the thinking process of an individual. This disorder impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others. Relationships are unstable. There are extreme emotions and distorted self-image when a person is suffering from a borderline personality disorder. This research will discuss this disorder in detail and evaluate whether self-cutting behaviours are a result of this disorder or not.

Topic 7: Depression and its risk factors – How can it be prevented?

Research Aim: Depression is a psychological issue that needs immediate attention. There are a lot of factors that lead to depression. This research will talk about the various risk factors that contribute to depression in an individual. The research will also discuss ways and strategies through which depression can be managed and eliminated in some cases. Case studies will be a part of this research.

Topic 8: Childhood trauma and its long-lasting impacts on individuals in adulthood

Research Aim: This research will talk about an important issue i.e. childhood trauma. This includes emotional and physical trauma that a child had experienced in his childhood. This research will discuss whether this trauma will impact the individual further in his life or not. If an adult’s future life is likely to be affected by childhood trauma, then in what ways will it change the individual, and how will it shape his personality? All these questions will be answered with this research.

Organisational Psychology Dissertation Topics

The role of industrial psychologists, also known as organisational psychologists, is to apply the principles of psychology to marketing, sales, management, administration, and human resources problems that organizations face.

Typical tasks that organisational psychologists perform include but are not limited to organisational development and analysis, training and development, employee evaluation and selection, policymaking, and more. The following dissertation topics are developed with respect to organisational psychology:

Topic 1: Research in industrial and organisational psychology from 1980 to 2015: Changes, choices, and trends

Research Aim: This research will compare the choices, trends, and changes in industrial and organisational psychology. The years compared will be 1990-2000, 2001-2010, and 2011-2020.

Topic 2: Computerized adaptive testing in industrial and organisational psychology

Research Aim: This research will explore the advanced technique i.e. computerized adaptive testing in organisational and industrial psychology.

Topic 3: Leader-member exchange as a moderating variable in the relationship between well-being and job security

Research Aim: This research will analyse the leader-member exchange as a variable that moderates the relationship between job security and well-being.

Topic 4: Intelligent leadership and leadership competencies – Developing a leadership framework for intelligent organizations

Research Aim: This research will understand the leadership competencies and intelligent leadership by analysing a leadership framework for intelligent organisations.

Topic 5: Burnout amongst executive staff: What are the main predictors? A review of literature from the UK and Europe.

Research Aim: This research will talk about the most pressing issue at workplaces right now, i.e. burnout, The study will include predictors of burnout by analysing literature from Europe and the UK.

Topic 6: Interior design and Industrial psychology – Investigating the role of employees' reward and motivation in shaping up the look of the factory or office

Research Aim: This research will understand the role of employee reward and motivation in shaping up workplaces with a focus on how interior design can create a working environment for employees that enhance their motivation levels.

Topic 7: Investigating the impact of strategic business partnering for business organisations – A case study of any UK based company

Research Aim: This research will talk about the impact of strategic business partnering for business organisations. You can provide us with the name of the company you would want to base your research on.

Topic 8: Social science strategies for managing diversity: Industrial and organisational opportunities to enhance inclusion

Research Aim: This research will interrogate an extremely important issue of psychology, i.e., diversity and inclusion at the workplace. The study will be conducted with respect to social science strategies.

Topic 9: Studying Influencing Factors in Effective Training Programs in Organisations

Research Aim: This research will talk about the various psychological factors that influence training programs organised by companies.

Topic 10: To understand international branding in light of the concept of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand international branding in light of the concept of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. The research will be descriptive in nature and make use of secondary data.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service !

Clinical Psychology Dissertation Topics

Clinical psychology can be defined as integrating clinical knowledge, theory, and science to understand and prevent psychologically based dysfunction and distress. Another aim of this branch of psychology is to promote personal development and behavioural well-being.

Clinical psychologists’ job responsibilities include conducting research, teaching, drug and alcohol treatment, assessing disorders, testifying legal settings, and creating and managing programs to prevent and treat social problems.

A well-written dissertation in this area of psychology can help students to fetch a high academic grade. Here are some interesting topics in this area:

Topic 1: Which clinical and demographic factors predict poor insight in individuals with obsessions and compulsions?

Research Aim: This research will discuss the clinical and demographic factors that predict poor insight within individuals with compulsions and obsessions.

Topic 2: Anger beliefs and behaviour; An Investigation of associations with Hypomania in a non-clinical sample

Research Aim: This research will investigate anger, behaviour, and beliefs concerning hypomania in a non-clinical sample.

Topic 3: Clinical psychologists’ experiences of accessing personal therapy during training: A narrative analysis

Research Aim: This research will discuss clinical psychologists’ experiences of accessing personal therapy during training. This will be a narrative analysis.

Topic 4: Exploring body image and identity in people who have had a heart or lung transplant

Research Aim: This research will help explore the identity and body image of people who have had a heart or a lung transplant. All related issues will be discussed in this study.

Topic 5: Psychosocial adjustment to renal failure and consequent dialysis

Research Aim: This research will explore psychosocial adjustment required during renal failure. The study will also discuss dialysis, which will result due to renal failure.

Topic 6: Experiences of psychosocial formulation within a bio-psychosocial model of care for psychosis

Research Aim: This research will talk about psychosocial formulation experiences within a bio-psychosocial model of care for psychosis.

Topic 7: Experiences and their association with eating behaviour in adulthood

Research Aim: This research will investigate the relationship between individual experiences and eating behaviour in adulthood. The study will furthermore present suggestions as to how these conditions can be improved.

Topic 8: Barriers to communicating about sexual dysfunction following heart trauma

Research Aim: This research will talk about an important issue i.e. sexual dysfunction. However, the study will be conducted concerning the issue being developed due to heart trauma.

Topic 9: Validation of a new scale assessing the use of strategies to change another person’s mood or emotional state

Research Aim: This research will investigate and try to validate a new scale that will be used to assess strategies for changing another person’s emotional state or mood.

Topic 10: Examining Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) within a cognitive framework

Research Aim: This research will investigate an important psychology issue, i.e. depression. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) will be assessed with a cognitive framework.

Also Read: Construction Engineering Dissertation Topics

Cognitive Psychology Dissertation Topics

Cognitive Psychology can be defined as the study of mental processes such as thinking, creativity, problem solving, perception, memory, language use, and attention through neuropsychology, computer modeling, and experimentation.

Cognitive psychologists are primarily responsible for investigating how the human brain absorbs and interprets information at micro and macro levels. This area of psychology is broad. Therefore you will have many topic options to choose from. Please see below some titles if you are looking to base your dissertation on the field of cognitive psychology.

Topic 1: Adolescent perceptions and beliefs of proactive-reactive aggression explored through the social information processing model of aggression

Research Aim: This research will talk about various perceptions and beliefs of adolescents with respect to proactive-reactive aggression. These will be explored through the social information processing model of aggression.

Topic 2: Analyzing how cognitive flexibility is influenced by emotions

Research Aim: This research will analyze how emotions influence the cognitive flexibility of individuals.

Topic 3: Tractable cognition: The role of complexity theory in cognitive psychology

Research Aim: This research will discuss tractable cognition. The study will discuss the role of complexity theory in cognitive psychology.

Topic 4: Conflict monitoring across sensory modalities

Research Aim: This research will discuss conflict monitoring during sensory modalities. The study will talk about various conflict monitoring methods.

Topic 5: Familiarity and its effect on facial expression recognition?

Research Aim: This research will discuss the concept of familiarity and its impact on facial expression recognition.

Topic 6: Investigating the relationship between cognitive vulnerability and depression

Research Aim: This research will investigate the relationship between depression and cognitive vulnerability.

Topic 7: Effectiveness of mindfulness training on ratings of perceived stress, mindfulness, and well-being of adolescents enrolled in an international baccalaureate diploma program

Research Aim: This research will discuss the effectiveness of mindfulness training on ratings of well-being and perceived stress of adolescents. The participants of this research will be international baccalaureate diploma students.

Topic 8: Assessing the development of implicit intergroup cognition in relation to in-groups and out-groups: social learning or pre-specified?

Research Aim: This research will assess the development of implicit intergroup cognition with respect to out-groups and in-groups. The study will conclude whether this development classifies as social learning or is pre-specified.

Topic 9: Assessing the relationship between impaired social cognition, emotion, and anxiety disorders.

Research Aim: This research will discuss the relationship between emotion, anxiety disorders, and impaired social cognition.

Topic 10: Investigating the relationship between episodic memory and emotional memory

Research Aim: This research will investigate the relationship between emotional memory and episodic memory and the underlying causes.

Also Read : Project Management Dissertation Topics

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• Social Psychology Dissertation Topics

This branch of psychology has gained tremendous importance in the world of academia in recent times. Essentially, it deals with social interactions, including their influence on the individuals and their origin.

According to Baron, Byrne, and Sulls (1989), “the scientific field seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual behaviour in social situations.”

Therefore, it will not be wrong to say that social psychology primarily investigates how human behaviour can influence other people and the surrounding social environment. Some relevant social psychology dissertation topics are listed below:

Topic 1: Cognitive, affective, and social psychological correlates of psychopathic personality traits in offenders and non-offenders

Research Aim: This research will address cognitive, affective, and social psychological correlations of psychopathic personality traits in offenders and non-offenders.

Topic 2: A social-psychological exploration of word-of-mouth traveller information in the digital age

Research Aim: This research will explore the word of mouth exchange of traveller information in today’s age with a social-psychological perspective.

Topic 3: Investigating the concept of contemporary social and cultural psychology

Research Aim: This research will investigate the concept of contemporary social and cultural psychology.

Topic 4: Methods for social psychological research: fundamental qualitative and fundamental quantitative methods.

Research Aim: This will be an interesting study. The research will explore two major social psychological research methods; fundamental qualitative method and fundamental quantitative method.

Topic 5: The impact of gender mistakes on various individual attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender inequality

Research Aim: This research will explore the impact of gender issues on different individual attitudes and behaviours. Moreover, the study will assess their impact and contribution to increasing gender inequality.

Topic 6: Personality, passion, self-esteem and psychological well-being among junior elite athletes in the UK

Research Aim: This research will study the psychological well-being of junior athletes in the UK. This includes assessing their personality, passion, and self-esteem.

Topic 7: Mad, bad, or dangerous? Assessing changing social attitudes to mental illness through a study of magazine and TV advertising.

Research Aim: This research will assess the changing social attitudes to mental illness by studying TV and magazine advertising. The study will focus on the impact of these advertisements on the mental health of the audience.

Topic 8: Use of images of women in corporate website branding – The role of gender, marketing, and internet presence

Research Aim: This research will assess the use of women’s images in website branding. The study will evaluate and analyze the role of gender, marketing, and internet presence.

Topic 9: How the use of music can help to reduce crime rate – A quantitative study of underground tube stations in London

Research Aim: The study will focus on an ignored socio-psychological aspect i.e. music. The research will assess how music helps to reduce the crime rate. A quantitative study covering underground tube stations will be conducted.

Topic 10: The enduring legacy of cognitive dissonance

Research Aim: This research will talk about the history of cognitive dissonance. It will also discuss its enduring legacy.

Also Read: Sociology Dissertation Topics

Abnormal Psychology Dissertation Topics

The abnormal patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviour that may lead to mental disorders are studied under the abnormal psychology branch of psychology. But what is an abnormality, and who decides what abnormal behaviour is? Historically, societies have been quick to observe and tag individuals as abnormal when they encounter situations that they could not understand.

Abnormal psychologists are responsible for identifying the human characteristics that deviate from the norm. This branch of psychology can interest students who wish to explore unusual human behaviour and unusual conditions. Following topics on abnormal psychology can help to ease the dissertation topic selection process for your thesis project:

Topic 1: Assessing and Investigating the concepts of abnormality and mental health

Research Aim: This research will discuss the basics of abnormality and mental health. The literature review will cover the various mental health conditions and what leads them to these issues.

Topic 2: A neuropsychological investigation of frontal brain asymmetry in depression with comorbid anxiety

Research Aim: This research will investigate a neuropsychological issue, i.e., frontal brain asymmetry in depression with comorbid anxiety.

Topic 3: What is the relationship between children’s home routines and treatment for ADHD? A study of the literature

Research Aim: This research will talk about a common yet ignored issue, ADHD. The study will explore the relationship between children’s home routines and treatment procedures.

Topic 4: Investigating the relationship between depression and diet – A qualitative study of how the Mediterranean diet can help to lower depression levels

Research Aim: This research will investigate an interesting relationship – depression and diet. The study will also explore how the Mediterranean diet can help reduce levels of depression.

Topic 5: Promoting mental health and psychological wellbeing in children: A socio-cultural activity theory analysis of professional contributions and learning in a multidisciplinary team

Research Aim: This research will aim to promote mental health and psychological wellbeing in children. The study will be based on a socio-cultural activity theory analysis of professional contributions and learning in a multidisciplinary team.

Topic 6: A critical inquiry into the views of professionals working with families, parents, and children.

Research Aim: This research will help conduct a critical inquiry into the views of professionals working with parents, families, and children.

Topic 7: Exploring ways of managing stress and coping with poor mental health

Research Aim: This research will help to explore stress and coping issues amongst individuals with poor mental health.

Topic 8: The role of positive irrational beliefs in mental health & wellbeing

Research Aim: This research will talk about the positive role of irrational beliefs associated with mental health and wellbeing.

Topic 9: To understand and establish the relationship between social media websites and self-harm in adolescent females

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand and establish the relationship between social media websites and self-harm in adolescent females.

Topic 10: A biographical narrative study exploring mental ill-health through the life course

Research Aim: This will be a biographical narrative study that will explore the mental illness issues that may cause difficulties to lead the course of life.

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Developmental and Educational Psychology Dissertation Topics

According to Kendra Cherry (2001), “Educational psychology involves the study of how people learn, including topics such as student outcomes, the instructional process, individual differences in learning, gifted learners and learning disabilities.” This branch of psychology considers not only the learning process but also the social and emotional aspects of development.

Developmental and educational psychologists are responsible for designing professional development programmes, evaluating programmes and interventions, designing training programmes, consulting with groups and individuals, counselling, designing effective treatment programmes, assessing developmental learning and behavioural problems among individuals, diagnosing disabilities and disorders, and identifying and clarifying problems.

Here’s a list of developmental and educational psychology dissertation topics for you to choose from:

Topic 1: Investigating parents’ concerns with a child’s development: A Case Study

Research Aim: This research will investigate concerns of parents related to child development. A specific case will be examined in this research.

Topic 2: To examine the parent-child relationship issues

Research Aim: This research will explore the issues related to the parent-child bond. Solutions will also be provided as to how these should be tackled.

Topic 3: Managing a child’s difficult temperament or behaviour

Research Aim: This research will help parents understand how they can manage a child who has a difficult temperament.

Topic 4: How educational psychologists can assist a child with disabilities

Research Aim: This research will explore how educational psychologists help in assisting disabled children.

Topic 5: Exploring the causes of sibling rivalries in the family: Studying How These can Be Tackled.

Research Aim: This research will talk explores the causes behind sibling rivalries in families and will also suggest how these can be controlled.

Topic 6: Problems parents, teachers, and children may face in the transition from early childhood to school years

Research Aim: This study will explore issues and problems parents, teachers, and children face in the transition from early childhood to school years.

Topic 7: Exploring the impact of consultation on educational psychology service users, including pupils, teachers, and parents

Research Aim: This research will explore the impacts of consultation on educational psychology services which include pupils, teachers, and parents.

Topic 8: The development of the theory of mind in deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing preschool children

Research Aim: This research will talk about the developmental theory of mind in deaf people, hard of hearing, and hearing of preschool children.

Topic 9: Cultural differences and perceptions of autism among school psychologists

Research Aim: This research will talk about the cultural differences and perceptions of autism amongst school psychologists.

Topic 10: High school special education teachers’ use of positive behaviour: Effects of a behaviour prompting routine on specific praise rates

Research Aim: This research will discuss the use of positive behaviour by high school special education teachers. Furthermore, the dissertation will also study the impact of behaviour that prompts a routine for specific praise rates.

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• Educational psychology dissertation topics
• Clinical psychology dissertation topics
• Counselling psychology dissertation topics
• Forensic-psychology-dissertation-topics
• Criminal Psychology Dissertation Ideas
• Sports Psychology Dissertation Ideas
• Neuro Psychology Dissertation Ideas
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Important Notes:

As a psychology student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing psychology theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

Psychology is vast and interrelated with so many other academic disciplines. That is why it is imperative to create a psychology dissertation topic that is particular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

Keeping our advice in mind while developing a research topic will allow you to pick one of the best psychology dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and adds to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample psychology dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Psychology Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

• A Title Page
• Acknowledgments
• Declaration
• Abstract: A summary of the research completed
• Table of Contents
• Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
• Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analyzing published and unpublished literature on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths while identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic and key terms that can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
• Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
• Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analyzed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
• Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is establishing the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
• References : Make sure to complete this following your University’s requirements
• Bibliography
• Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Ruth Reichl's 'The Paris Novel' is a coming-of-age story set in 1980s Paris

Scott Simon

Food writer and editor Ruth Reichl's new book, "The Paris Novel," is a coming-of age story full of the author's favorite things: Art, fashion, literature, 1980s Paris, and - of course - oysters.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

Ruth Reichl has written a novel that includes, art, fashion literature, the shadow of buried trauma and awakening to the joy of food in 1980s Paris. Let's ask the author to read from a genuine love scene.

RUTH REICHL: (Reading) The oysters arrived on a deep bed of ice. She had never eaten an oyster, and she stared down at the platter. A ruffle of black encircled each opalescent heart. She thought of orchids. Triangles of lemon sat on the ice, and she picked one up and squeezed it, inhaling the prickly aroma. Then she reached for an oyster, tipped her head and tossed it back. The oyster was cool and slippery, the flavor so briny, it was like diving into the ocean. She closed her eyes to savor the experience, make it last.

SIMON: Oysters, where have you been all my life?

REICHL: (Laughter).

SIMON: Her novel is called "The Paris Novel," and Ruth Reichl, the bestselling author, editor of the Le Gourmet magazine and winner of six James Beard Awards, joins us now from our studios in New York. Thanks so much for being with us.

REICHL: Thank you for having me.

SIMON: By the time we read this scene, a young New York book editor named Stella has lost her mother, who left her with the funds to go to Paris. But why does she almost have to force herself?

REICHL: Stella has had a very traumatic childhood, and how she responds to this is by closing her life down. She has a very small life where she does the same few things over and over again. It's how she feels safe. And so the idea of going to Paris, of going anywhere, of getting out of her routine is horrible to her.

SIMON: Then she gets to Paris, and she says yes to a dress. What happens?

REICHL: So she has this experience of walking into a store, and the sales lady says to her, your dress is waiting for you. She puts it on, and she looks in the mirror, and she has disappeared. And in her place is a glamorous, fantastic creature who she had never imagined she could be. And she desperately wants this dress, but it's very expensive.

SIMON: Oh, yeah. I mean, it - almost to her last dime, right?

REICHL: Exactly. And so she walks away from it, and then the shopkeeper says to her, I will make you a bargain. Wear the dress out of the store and do exactly as I say. And if tomorrow, you want your money back, I will give you back every penny. And so she does the first impulsive thing she has ever done in her life. She puts on the dress. She walks out the door, and she follows the shopkeeper's instructions.

SIMON: I mean, what gets set off in Stella by everything - the dress, the Chablis, the oysters, Paris?

REICHL: She discovers pleasure. She discovers life. She - the first thing that the shopkeeper says is, go and eat oysters and drink Chablis. And, you know, I am a person who really believes that food is a way of coming into the world and that if you allow yourself to really experience food, it opens you up to so much else. And that's what happens to Stella. And then, you know, there's art. And, I mean, the whole world comes to her.

SIMON: She becomes, I think it's fair to say, fascinated in the works of an artist who's probably better known as Manet's favorite model, wasn't she?

REICHL: She was. And this is very close to my heart. I have a master's in history of art. And I actually wanted to write my master's thesis on Victorine, who - we know that she became an artist because she showed in the Salon six times, and she has virtually been erased by history. She's famous as a model but not as an artist. And as a woman, it has always really annoyed me that history has just forgotten her because what she did was really extraordinary. She was a woman, a working-class woman. Women weren't allowed to go to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Working-class women certainly weren't allowed anything. I mean, women had no rights in that France.

And here's this woman who somehow managed to make something of herself. And all of the biographies of all of the artists, the male artists that she modeled for all say that she was a prostitute, a drunkard, a failure. And I always wanted to try and find her work and see what it was like. And so Stella learns the story of Victorine, and she makes it her mission to try and find the paintings. It gives her something to do in Paris and a purpose.

SIMON: I feel compelled to point out Parisians themselves sometimes talk about a syndrome - that Americans will come to Paris, and they expect everything to be light and fall into place. And then they - you know, they see there's a little trash on the street, and there's a McDonald's. And at some level, it's recognizable territory. It's not always the Paris of their dreams.

REICHL: Well, that is partly why I set this book in 1983 because in 1983, there was no McDonald's in Paris, and it was the Paris of our dreams. Paris in the '80s was very different than America. You know, that's not so much the case anymore. I mean, the whole world has gotten smaller for all of us. And, you know, I wanted access to Paris of the '80s, which was - the dollar was very strong. The franc was weak. People like me who had no money in the '80s could be in Paris on a couple dollars a day, which was also kind of dreamy.

But I also wanted the earlier Paris, which is, you know, the Paris of the '20s, which - you know, it's the Paris of Hemingway and Fitzgerald. And it's also a kind of an American dream of Paris. And so Jules, this wonderful old man that Stella meets who is in his 80s, remembers that Paris and offers that to Stella, as well. And it was important to me to sort of have the entire 20th century.

SIMON: Yeah. Can I get you to talk about the role of your old editor, the late Susan Kamil, and the role she played, really, for the inspiration of this book?

REICHL: So Susan, who was a legendary editor, I mean, truly one of the great editors - and my last book, "Save Me The Plums," I had a chapter about a little black dress that I tried on. And this is a real story. I tried it on, and it transformed me, and I desperately wanted it, but it was $6,000, and I didn't buy it.

SIMON: This is uncomfortably close to the novel, isn't it?

REICHL: It - well, it is. And because Susan said to me, you know, I love that Paris chapter in "Save Me The Plums" so much. Couldn't you write a novel about it? And the minute she said it, I saw the novel. I mean, I had this notion, I mean, who the characters were. And so I wrote this book very much for Susan, who sadly passed away before she could read the book. And it just - it makes me so sad because I know she would love this book.

SIMON: May I ask, Ruth, is there a lot of the younger you in Stella?

REICHL: No, not at all. I'm not this repressed person that she is. And no, I mean, I tried very hard to make someone who was not me. After all, I've written a lot of memoirs. But what there is in it is everything that I love - art, food, fashion, literature. I got to just put all of my passions into the book.

SIMON: I'm not proud of this last question, but I have to ask it. Favorite oyster?

REICHL: I really - this is a very arcane answer, but Olympia oysters, which are native to the Pacific Northwest in America and which almost vanished and were brought back. And they are exquisite, tiny, little oysters, and I love them. Love them.

SIMON: Ruth Reichl's newest is "The Paris Novel." Thank you so much for being with us.

REICHL: Thank you, Scott. It was really a pleasure.

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