First - Find Research Paper Topic. Include a minimum one-page explanation about why you chose this topic and how it can potentially benefit you in the future. Full assignment detail is in the attachm
Research Paper: (15% toward final grade) – Due end of Week 5
Prepare an individual research paper (7-10 pages of content - exclusive of title and reference pages) on a topic regarding Organizational Communication, Conflict, and/or Negotiation that can assist you in your own professional development. Possible topics for research papers can include any aspect of organizational communication For example: consider topics from your text as well as the topics covered in the weekly lessons and discussions: communication styles, culture, organizational interdependencies, motivation and feedback, groups and teams, power and politics, leadership, negotiation, conflict management, perception, emotional intelligence, groupthink, communication climates, etc.
This paper is expected to show academic scholarship, both in content and presentation. The paper should be formatted to APA, contain a reference list of at least five sources with in-text citations throughout the paper, be free of plagiarism, grammar, and spelling errors. The paper should have a title page, abstract, an introductory section, a literature review of current journal articles or studies that have been accomplished in the topic area, and a conclusion section.
The title page should include the student’s name, course ID (MG5415), assignment name, date, and professor’s name. Include page numbers top right (beginning on the title page), running head left justified all in caps, headings to separate ideas within the paper, proper spacing, formatting (one inch margins and Times New Roman (or similar), 12 point font), and a reference page (APA format).
The following links can assist you with APA formatting:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html
http://www.apastyle.org/
Research Paper Rubric
| Criteria | Exemplary | Proficient | Needs Improvement | Unsatisfactory - Beginning |
| Paper Focus: | 18-20 points Identifies a relevant research topic and a thesis that provides direction for the paper that is engaging and thought provoking. The thesis clearly and concisely states the position, premise, or hypothesis and is consistently the focal point throughout the paper. | 16-17 points Identifies a relevant research topic and a thesis that provides adequate direction for the paper with some degree of interest for the reader. The thesis states the position, premise, or hypothesis, and is the focal point of the paper for the most part. | 14-15 points Identifies a research topic but may be too broad in scope and/or the thesis is somewhat unclear and needs to be developed further. Focal point is not consistently maintained throughout the paper. | 0-13 points Fails to identify a relevant research topic or is not clearly defined and/or the paper lacks focus throughout. |
| Analysis | 27-30 points Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding and careful, critical analysis of the research topic and thesis (argument). Compares/contrasts perspectives, considers counter arguments or opposing positions, and draws original and thoughtful conclusions with future implications. | 24-26 points Demonstrates an understanding and some critical analysis of the research topic and thesis (argument). Adequately compares/contrasts perspectives, counter-arguments, or opposing positions but broader connections and/or implications are not as thoroughly explored. | 21-23 points Demonstrates general understanding with limited critical analysis of the research topic and thesis (argument). Summarizes perspectives, counter-arguments, or opposing positions. | 0-20 points Demonstrates a lack of understanding and inadequate analysis of the research topic and thesis. Analysis is superficial based on opinions and preferences rather than critical analysis. |
| Evidence (Sources) | 27-30 points Provides compelling and accurate evidence to support in-depth the central position beyond the required (5) research sources with at least 1 source from a periodical database. Research sources are highly relevant, accurate, and reliable and add to the strength of the paper; and are effectively referenced and cited throughout the paper. | 24-26 points Provides essential, accurate evidence to support the central position with the required (5) research sources including 1 source from a periodical database that are mostly relevant, accurate, and reliable. Sources are referenced and cited appropriately throughout the paper for the most part. | 21-23 points Provides some evidence to support the central position with only a few research sources. Some sources may not be relevant, accurate, and reliable and/or appropriately referenced and cited in the paper. | 0-20 points Lacks sufficient research sources to support the central position and/or, if included, are generally not relevant, accurate, or reliable. Contains numerous factual mistakes, omissions, or oversimplifications. Sources, if included, are not properly referenced and cited in the paper. |
| Organization | 9-10 points Paper is effectively organized. Ideas are arranged logically, flow smoothly, with a strong progression of thought from paragraph to paragraph connecting to the central position. Includes all required components (introduction, body, conclusion, Reference List, etc.). | 8 points Paper is adequately organized. Ideas are arranged reasonably with a progression of thought from paragraph to paragraph connecting to the central position. Includes required components (introduction, body, conclusion, Reference List, etc.) for the most part. | 7 points Paper is somewhat organized, although occasionally ideas from paragraph to paragraph may not flow well and/or connect to the central position or be clear as a whole. May be missing a required component and/or components may be less than complete. | 0-6 points Paper lacks logical organization and impedes readers’ comprehension of ideas. Central position is rarely evident from paragraph to paragraph and/or the paper is missing multiple required components. |
| Writing Quality & Adherence to Format Guidelines | 9-10 points Paper is well written and clear using APA guidelines and standard English characterized by elements of a strong writing style. Free from grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage, or formatting errors. Research Paper is at least 7-10 pages in length. | 8 points Paper shows above average writing style and clarity in writing using standard English and following APA guidelines. Minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage, and/or formatting. Research paper is 6 pages in length. | 7 points Paper shows an average and/or casual writing style using standard English and following APA guidelines. Some errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, usage, and/or formatting. Research paper is 5 pages in length. | 0-6 points Paper shows a below average/poor writing style lacking in elements of appropriate standard English and following proper APA guidelines. Frequent errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage, and/or formatting. Research paper is less than 5 pages in length. |
