Research Paper Requirements

Prepare and submit a one or two paragraph abstract of your topic as well as a short outline of your paper's proposed organization. The abstract and outline should be submitted in WORD format.

CONTRIBUTION TO GRADE: The Research Paper score constitutes 20% of your grade in Business 6120.

LENGTH AND FORMAT: The paper should be 10 - 15 pages in length, double spaced, and follow generally accepted APA guidelines for college papers. It should contain a bibliography, and references should be properly noted. Information on APA standards for preparing papers can be found at the Webster online library.

PURPOSE: The purpose of having you write a research paper is to gauge how effectively you can apply information covered in class to real-world situations and circumstances. This course succeeds if you can effectively move economic theory from an academic setting to a valid analysis of past or current world events, your work existence, school environment, or life in general.

EVALUATION: In evaluating your paper, I am most interested in whether your economic analysis and/or conclusions have been thought out, logically developed, clearly presented, and supported with your own analysis and/or that of others. In other words, I want you to think and apply textbook theory to a true managerial situation, real or theoretical.

SUGGESTED REFERENCES / SOURCES: You may reference economic texts, periodicals, speeches, or any other source as long as it is properly credited. Some suggestions are the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, business journals, any major paper or periodical, television or radio newscasts, other classes you have taken, etc. Remember that a reference can provide support even though it may not be considered economic. Original academic sources are always preferred to second or third-hand descriptions of the original work.

TOPIC: Choose an event, situation, issue, or problem from business or society today and analyze the microeconomics aspects of the topic chosen using sound Managerial Economic theory. Provide a description of what you are writing about, but your paper is not the description, but the research and analysis. Some examples of topics to get your ideas flowing are listed below. You should pick your own topic, but the list may perhaps start you thinking towards a meaningful topic to you.

TOPICS - EXAMPLES: (* submitted by past managerial economics students):

Managerial Economic Analysis of the Impact of Social Commerce on E-commerce

Economic Impact and Outlook of E-Readers

The Minimum Wage and Its Effects on the Demand for WalMart Goods

Economic Impact of the Cash for Clunkers Program on the Auto Industry

Consumer Behavior and Prize-Linked Savings

The Creative Differentiation Techniques of IKEA

How the Recent Economic Recession Has Impact French Saddle Makers

Organics and the Recession

The microeconomics effects of government subsidies on farmers

Microeconomics and pricing in the fast food industry

The airline industry's continued losses and its managerial economic implications

Managerial Economics and turnover in the fast food industry

The emergence of computer 'Superstores' and the loss of individual computer outlets - A Managerial Economic analysis

A Managerial Economic analysis of operating a retail store in a city core versus in an outlying area

WalMart; Friend or Foe of Small Towns?

The Impact of gambling casinos on local economies

Why is Downsizing Not Resulting in Wage Increases to Remaining Employees?

The video production industry in relation to an oligopoly

Product differentiation: is there really such a thing?

The Americans With Disabilities Act and its Managerial Economic effects on business

The hidden costs of global outsourcing

Women's economic inequality

The Managerial Economic impact of the EURO.

Microeconomics of merging companies / managerial implications

A managerial economic analysis of prison privatization?

A study of price indexes

The economics of recycling

Demand in the Hotel Industry

The Impact of the War on Terrorism on Managerial Economics and Business Strategy

California's Energy Crisis and Deregulation

Peak Load Pricing as a Means of Increasing Enrollment in the University and College Setting