Research Project Proposal

            Working under the professional guidance of the mentor, each student in the Intern/Mentor Program must design and complete a project with outcomes that address the proven needs of an authentic audience.

Part I

      •  What specific area(s) within the field will be investigated, researched and/or studied?

This project will examine mental illness in relation to crime, speficially in the population at Springfield Hospital Center. I will review the admission files for all of the patients and look for any trends in the crimes of the forensic patients in relation to their mental illness(es). I will also examine the cumulative lengths of stay at the hospital in relation to expected lengths of sentences. I will also observe group therapy sessions and other treatment groups to better familiarize myself with the treatment options available to the patients and, to an extent, their behavioral patterns.

      •  How will knowledge or ability in the field be acquired, developed, and demonstrated   through the year? 

I've conducted background research on some of the more common mental illnesses, such as depression or bipolar disorder, and looked at studies of the mentally ill in prison; this has helped me to better understand the emotions and feelings of the incarcerated population suffering from mental disorders, and will hopefully help me prepare to work in the environment at Springfield more effectively.

      •  What will be the product(s) and/or outcome(s) of the internship?

 I hope to collaborate on a research paper that encompasses my findings and conclusions with my advisor, Dr. Swetz, Hopefully my research will help the hospital and they will be able to help their patients tailor programs to fit their individual needs and receive the most effective treatment.

      •  What proven need will be addressed?  What real problem will be solved?  What question will be researched?

I will address the need for classification of crimes in correlation to mental illness to perhaps create preventative treatments and measures. This might solve problems the Springfield staff comes upon when trying to treat people who have committed certain crimes. I'm looking for a correlation between type of crime and type of mental illness.

      •  What is the intended audience for the project?  Who, other than the student, will learn or benefit as a result of the work?  To whom will the outcomes be communicated? For whom is the product or result intended? 

 The staff of Springfield will serve as an audience, as well as any other professionals in the field if they wish to look at my study. My findings are intended to offer insight to those who work with the mentally ill or the incarcerated, both to help indicate the need for treatment in the undiagnosed, as well as treatment of those aware of their condition.

      •  Will the audience be local, state or national?   Note:  The mentor, the student, and the  program coordinator should not be the only audience.

 I'm hoping to publish my paper, so the audience will be as wide as possible; whoever is interested in my findings will hopefully be able to access them somewhere in a database or wherever Dr. Swetz wishes to have the paper posted.

      •  How will the product and outcomes be communicated to or performed for the selected  audience?  What will be the outlet vehicle? 

A collaborative paper with my advisor will outline my findings and conclusions.

      •  What resources will be required for the project? (human, print, organizations, media)

 In order for my project to be completed, I will need to look at admissions records and files. I will also be observing some group therapy sessions in order to familiarize myself further with the mental illnesses being studied.

      •  What are the special considerations of the project? (cost, materials, equipment,             transportation, special permission, printing/distribution)

i will be employed at Springfield Hospital Center this summer and transport myself there.