Individual Research Paper

The research paper will be 8-10, double-spaced pages in length, not including cover page, appendices, and references. This paper will be written according to APA format and be carefully referenced with 8-10 academic references.

Note that this is a research paper where you are being asked to avoid all first-person pronouns and personal opinion. Your abstract will be included in your page count.

The purpose of this paper is to take a human resource management topic or issue and do an in-depth review of the current literature on this topic. This is a library research paper and you must use at least 8-10 different credible sources, not including textbooks.

Before your conclusion, you must have a section entitled either "Recommendations for Managers" or "Implications for Managers" where you explain the significance of what you have found for practicing managers.

Be sure to use credible published sources and only reliable Internet websites. Reference your paper very carefully and tightly. Some examples of appropriate source journals include (among others) HR Magazine, Academy of Management Perspectives, Personnel Journal, Fortune, SAM, Advanced Management Journal, Journal of Management, HR Focus, Human Resource Development Quarterly, The Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, The Journal of Leadership Studies, and Organizational Dynamics.

Appearance, punctuation, grammar, neatness, and spelling count. This is to be a professional paper to receive full credit. This paper should have an introduction, body, conclusion, and reference section. This paper should also have appropriate headings and subheadings in the body of the paper. Be sure to use a title page. Write transition sentences between sections so that the reader knows where you are going and why.

Academic integrity is of the utmost importance in this term paper. Your paper will be submitted through turnitin.com which will document any plagiarism, intentional or unintentional.

You will submit the paper to your Instructor in Unit 5 who will then obtain a report from turnitin.com for review and grading purposes.

Directions for submission: Before you submit your Individual final research paper, you should save your work on your computer in a location that you will remember. Save the document using the naming convention: Username_Complete_FinalProject.doc.

When you are ready, submit your paper to the Unit 5 Final Research Paper (Individual) Dropbox.

Grade Content, Focus, Use of Text/Research, Organization Analysis and Critical Thinking Writing Style, Grammar, APA Format 100% 125 points 50% 63 points 30% 37 points 20% 25 points

90-100%

112-125 points

Response successfully answers the research question(s); thoroughly uses the text and other literature. Includes a strong thesis statement, introduction, and conclusion. The main points of the paper are developed clearly. All arguments are supported well (no errors in logic) using outside sources as assigned.

Sources are primarily academic journals, with thoughtfully used web sources. References are applied substantively to the paper topic. Skillfully addresses counterarguments and does not ignore data contradicting its claim. Refers to sources both in-text and in the reference page.

Response exhibits strong higher-order critical thinking and analysis (e.g., evaluation). Paper shows original thought.

Analysis includes proper classifications, explanations, comparisons, and inferences.

Critical thinking includes appropriate judgments, conclusions, and assessments based on evaluation and synthesis of information.

Grammatical skills are strong with typically less than one error per page. Correct use of APA when assigned.

Appropriate to the Assignment, fresh (interesting to read), accurate (no far-fetched, unsupported comments), precise (say what you mean), and concise (not wordy).

Project is in 12-point font. Narrative sections are double spaced. Project is free of serious errors; grammar, punctuation, and spelling help to clarify the meaning by following accepted conventions.

80-89%

100-111 points

Response answers the Assignment question(s) with only minor digressions; sufficiently uses the text and other literature. Provides a good thesis statement, introduction, and conclusion that require some revision, but that form a

Response generally exhibits higher-order critical thinking and analysis (e.g., evaluation). Paper shows some original thought.

Internally, each section has good organization. Transitions found between and within sections are mostly clear and effective. Generally appropriate to the Assignment, accurate (no far-fetched, unsupported claims), precise,

good basis.

Develops the main points clearly.

Supports most arguments concretely (no logical errors) using outside sources as assigned.

Some sources are non-academic with over reliance on web sources. References not always clearly tied to development of ideas. Does not ignore data contradicting its claim, though the refutation may need additional support. Refers to outside sources in the text and reference page.

Analysis includes adequate classifications, explanations, comparisons and inferences.

Critical thinking includes adequate judgments, conclusions, and assessments based on evaluation and synthesis of information.

and concise. Includes a title page and reference page.

Project is in 12-point font. Narrative sections are double spaced. Project contains some generally minor grammatical and punctuation errors. Few misspellings. Citations generally follow APA guidelines (perhaps one or two minor errors).

70-79%

87-99 points

Response answers the project Assignment(s) with some digression; sufficiently uses the text and other literature. Provides a thesis statement that needs revision. The introduction and conclusion do not set up or close the paper very effectively. Shows too little original thought (strings of citations that are not developed to support the thesis).

Main points are adequately defined in only some areas of the paper; points may be over-emphasized or repeated. Some arguments are supported with outside research, but others may not be. Relies too heavily on personal experience or one source. The paper does not meet the source requirements. Some obvious counterarguments are ignored or not well refuted.

Response exhibits limited higher-order critical thinking and analysis (e.g. application of information).

Analysis includes limited classifications, explanations, comparisons, and inferences.

Critical thinking includes limited judgments, conclusions, and assessments based on evaluation and synthesis of information.

Sentences are occasionally wordy or ambiguous; tone is too informal. Grammatical skills are adequate with no more than 2-3 errors per page. The paper is not well organized. Sections lack transitions, and several sentences may be monotonous or confusing. The overall structure of the Assignment is not effective. Appropriate in places, but elsewhere vague writing interferes with the development and clarity of the main points. Numerous grammatical and punctuation errors. Misspellings are more frequent, but they are the sort spell checkers do not catch, such as "effect/affect." An attempt at APA citation was made, but there are multiple errors larger than a misplaced period. Narrative sections are

not double spaced.

60-69%

75-86 points

Response answers the Assignment question(s) but digresses significantly; insufficiently uses the text and other literature.

Response exhibits simplistic or reductive thinking and analysis but does demonstrate comprehension.

Sentences are generally wordy and/or ambiguous; tone is too informal. Grammatical skills are inadequate, clarity and meaning are impaired, typically 3-5 errors per page. Inadequate use of APA format

0-59%

0-74 points

Response insufficiently answers the Assignment question(s); insufficiently uses the text and other literature.

Response exhibits simplistic or reductive thinking and analysis and demonstrates limited knowledge on the subject matter.

Sentences unclear enough to impair meaning; tone is inappropriate and/or inconsistent. Grammatical skills are incompetent for college level; typically 6 or more errors per page. Unacceptable use of APA format.