Research Paper Overview
Think of an idea for a new product, if not new – then a significant improvement on an existing product. You may use the same product for this paper as for your final project. (If you are using a family business for your final project, please email me with this info).
For this assignment, assume that you plan to sell the product idea to a company that will then manufacture and market the product. In order to sell your product idea, you need to know a bit about the customer for the product the industry and associated companies (just like when interviewing for a job).
In-class students will spend two class periods with our librarian and work through this material. Once you decide on your product, you should use these resources to answer the questions.
Supply information as requested below, utilizing formal documentation skills (don’t use an outline format). Be sure to cite your sources appropriately.
Format
Title page
Use headings to organize your paper (one heading per question group below).
Include a table of contents (TOC). Use Word’s auto TOC feature. There is a 3-minute video on how to create TOC in D2L (content and dropbox sections).
Utilize footnotes to cite your sources.
Use 1” margins – double space.
Times-New Roman font – 12 Point.
Header – File name
Footer – Page number and date
Begin your paper with a paragraph defining your product and stating why you selected this product.
Describe your target market.
Provide demographic information (age group, gender, education, etc.).
Provide psychographic information (what activities, mind-set, personality, most likely to purchase the product).
Choose a city (outside of SD) that the product may be sold in. What is the potential total market based on the specific demographics that you have identified above (give number of consumers/businesses)?
Provide an overview of the industry.
General description of industry
Current news about the industry? (Summarize the information – do not just include excerpts.)
Name and ranking of major companies within the industry? (You may simply list these rather than write in paragraph form. Supply information that supports your ranking – sales, store size, etc.) List this information in a table with supporting numbers.
Would you invest in this industry? Why or why not? Provide expert opinion regarding the investment climate in this industry?
Choose a company within the above industry that would be most appropriate to sell your product to. Start this section with a statement explaining why you chose this company. Then provide additional information about the company.
Corporate Information. Address. Phone number. Ticker symbol
Important historical information. Year founded. Mergers/acquisitions in past.
Size of company: number of employees, locations of offices.
CEO’s name and background information
Product brand names and product types. Choose a product and supply the NAICS code.
Financial information: assets, liabilities, annual sales, major shareholders
Current news about the company? (Summarize the information from magazines and trade journals – do not just include excerpts.)