WRITING GUIDELINES

In OLCU 487 Senior Research project, students select a research topic on a leadership issue and conduct a thorough review of the literature to draw conclusions and make recommendations.

As outlined in the grading rubric, evaluation criteria includes following the writing requirements outlined below, employing critical thinking and analysis in preparing the project paper, and adhering to APA standards.

To ensure an understanding of the Senior Research Project, the Writing Guidelines describe the requirements of the paper. Your final paper must include the following sections:

Title Page

Abstract

Table of Contents

Leadership Issue

Research Purpose and Questions

Literature Review

Conclusions and Recommendations

References

Title Page

A correctly prepared title page includes the project title, student name, course number and name, and submission date.

Abstract (250 words or less)

The abstract provides a comprehensive summary of the paper in 250 words or less. A wellwritten abstract is clear, concise, coherent and easily readable. It summarizes the research purpose, research questions, the literature review findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Table of Contents

The table of contents outlines major sections of the paper as identified by level one, two and three APA headers.

Leadership Issue (1 page)

The leadership issue identified may solve a problem, explore an opportunity or apply a concept to a specific organization or group. Introduce the research by briefly describing the leadership issue (problem, opportunity or concept) providing background information on why the issue
exists and/or why research would be beneficial.

Research Purpose and Questions (1/2 - 1 page)

This is the foundation of your research. After stating the purpose of your research, you will identify the two (2) research questions that must be answered in order to draw conclusions and make informed recommendations about the issue.

Research questions are used to position an objective inquiry that encourages understanding different perspectives and considering multiple alternatives. Unlike a thesis or hypothesis that the researcher must prove or disprove, research questions do not assume or attempt to defend a right answer but seek to fully examine the issue.Review of the Literature (5 - 7 pages)

In your literature review, you must answer the research questions of this study by discussing expert evidence that provides an in-depth understanding of the topic.

Evidence can come from many sources but it is not what you think or believe to be true. Examining what experts have said or written about this issue will enable you understand the issue fully, draw conclusions and make recommendations. In the Literature Review, all perspectives are considered; controversial and differing opinions must be addressed.

Secondary sources are used to explore the research questions by identifying and discussing the theories of respected experts; reviewing the results and conclusions of research studies; and exploring case studies from other organizations that succeeded and/or failed in facing a similar problem or opportunity.

There needs to be at least eight (8) sources of information; seven (7) of the required eight sources must be scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles and include two (2) research studies. Sources including textbooks and web sites may be used but do not count toward the seven scholarly sources. Remember that you include only sources on the list of references that have been cited in the body of the report.

To ensure reliable and objective data for analysis in answering your research questions, students are strongly encouraged do their research using Brandman's Virtual Library databases.

To identify scholarly sources, search for journal articles by checking the option of peer-reviewed articles in databases (such as EBSCOhost, Proquest and Sage). Your results will be limited to articles in which the validity, reliability and objectivity of information has been examined by experts prior to publication.

In Brandman's library, you can also search for full-text articles that are not peer-reviewed; this would include most business publications such as Fortune and Business Week. In addition, data from non-profit domains (such as .edu, .org and .gov) is usually credible and can be used when appropriate.

Information from commercial (.com) sites is not recommended because it may lack credibility and reliability. Community-compiled sources such as Wikipedia are never acceptable for academic research. To prioritize your research paper requirements:

• You must include eight (8) or more sources of which seven (7) must be peer-reviewed journal articles and include two (2) research studies addressing your leadership issue.

• Optional sources beyond the seven peer-reviewed journal articles can include:

o Textbooks

o Full-text articles (but not peer-reviewed) from respected periodicals

o Non-profit web domains

• Commercial sites are strongly discouraged as they are often biased and unreliable.

The Literature Review is not a summary of the articles, nor is it a series of quotations, typed one after another. As a general guideline, no more than 10 - 15 percent of your final paper should be direct quotes.

The Literature Review is written in a narrative style, with your analysis being supported with citations. You can quote experts, state statistics, or paraphrase ideas, but these things should be done only to support your writing. While you are guided by the literature, the focus on the research topic is in your voice. This means you must read the material, analyze and integrate the major findings to answer your research questions.

The literature review is written to include convincing arguments that are well supported; arguments for all sides of a topic; respected sources; factual data cited as required using APA style; direct quotes properly cited using APA style; a logical progression of ideas, separated by appropriate headings.

Conclusions and Recommendations (3 - 4 pages)

You will draw valid conclusions and make recommendations including a specific action plan. Use citations to connect the conclusions, recommendations and action plan to the findings of the literature review.