Assignment Instructions
- Select a research topic from the list included or consult your instructor about a different topic.
- Conduct research on your topic using at least two sources.
- Write a Research Paper with a body length of 2-3 pages using APA style.
- Double-space your Research Paper.
- Include a Title Page, an Abstract with Key Words, a Body, and References.
- In the body of your Research Paper begin with an Introductory Paragraph and end with a Concluding Paragraph.
- Submit a Draft Paper to receive a SafeAssign report about potential problems with plagiarism.
- Consider using the Writing Lab to provide assistance with editing your paper.
Email a writing assignment (optional): [email protected] to receive feedback within 48 hours. You can then use this feedback to revise the assignment before submitting it for a grade.
Enroll in the Writing Lab:
- Select Organizations and Tutoringtab on top of your Blackboard page.
- Select Tutoringin the Organization Catalog box next to The Writing Lab.
- Select Enroll, then Submit, and then OK.
- Contact the Tutorto email an assignment.
- Talk with the Tutorfor private assistance with an assignment.
Suggested Research Topics
You are free to choose your own topic. Here is the procedure:
- Decide on an area of microeconomics that you are interested in researching such as: health care economics, environmental economics, behavioral economics, public policy, agricultural economics, market structure issues, or issues in income inequality.
- Develop a narrowly defined research question that focuses on the economics of the issue such as: Obamacare (opportunity cost of repealing, positive externalities, negative externalities, how it changes market structures, compared to a single payer system, what will happen if the Supreme Court rules against subsidies in states without exchanges.
- Send a Message to your instructor to discuss your research topic, especially if you decide on a topic that is not on the list below.
- Here are some suggested topics:
- College tuition is increasing. Provide a cost/benefit analysis describing your own decision to pursue higher education. What is the opportunity cost of continuing your education?
- Using the tools of economics analyze the effectiveness of a specific gun control proposal. What social costs will this legislation attempt to mitigate? Do you think this goal will be achieved by the specific gun control proposal.
- Is progressive taxation “fair”? What arguments are made that it is fair or unfair?
- “Is Wal-Mart good for America”? You may have heard or even watched movies about such a topic. What are the pitfalls and disadvantages you see associated with Wal-Mart to your local area, and to you as a consumer.
- Provide an analysis of the changes in the market for marijuana where it has become legal. What social costs are affected by legalization?
- What can the individual do about global warming? What are the economic problems of individual action by a business, individual, or nation?
- Should We Sweat About Sweatshops? After exploring the two sides of the argument (research the pros and cons of sweatshops), draw your own conclusion by taking sides on the issue of Sweatshops.
- Should Social Security be changed to include Personal Retirement Accounts? What are the costs and benefits to you as a far future retiree?
- Evaluate on line dating sites such as EHarmony and Match.com at improving the efficiency of meeting a significant other.
APA style should be used to cite all of your sources of information.
Grading Standards
| Beginning (25 points) |
Developing (30 points) |
Accomplished (35 points) |
Exemplary (40 points) |
Score | |
| Economic Ideas: Are economic terms, theories, and ideas clearly defined and correctly used? Is appropriate economic terminology used in your paper? | The writer does not focus this paper on economic ideas. Or, there may be significant errors defining, explaining, and analyzing economic ideas and terms. There may also be significant errors in applying economic policy solutions to particular economic problems. | There are very few economic ideas and economic terms in this paper. Reveals limited understanding of the economic ideas for this topic. Some ideas may be improperly understood or not clearly explained. | The writer shows good understanding of many economic ideas. Most economic terminology is defined and explained correctly. There may be a few economic concepts or ideas that need revision. | Economic ideas are explained correctly and effectively. Proper terminology is used throughout the paper. The writer shows a thorough understanding of the economic ideas used in the paper. | |
| Mechanics: Does the paper have grammar, spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure errors? | Extremely difficult to read or understand the author’s ideas due to systemic mechanical errors in many categories. | Multiple mechanical errors interfere with the readability of the paper. Another draft is needed. | The paper is readable, but there are errors that detract from the writer’s ideas. Careful proofreading is needed. | Exemplary work. A clean paper, or the most minor of errors. | |
| Citations: Are all ideas, statistics, and information borrowed from outside sources clearly identified in the body of the paper? Are direct and indirect quotes appropriately identified and cited? Is all borrowed information properly cited using APA standards? | Lacks understanding of when and how to cite sources. | Limited understanding of when and how to cite sources. | Knowledgeable of the correct procedure to cite sources. There may be flaws in the actual citations. | Well executed, proficient. | |
| Organization: Does your main idea (thesis statement), introduction, body, and conclusion flow in a logical direction? Do you effectively use transition words and statements? Does the paper include an abstract with key words, a title page, and a reference page using correct APA style? | Borderline “random” writing. There may be limited separation of different ideas into paragraphs. Movement from one idea to another may be disjointed. Introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion may be missing. | Some disruptive inconsistencies and incoherence across the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction and conclusion may not be correctly used. The abstract, title page, or references may have significant errors, or may not be included. | Demonstrates good organization with some possible minor lapses in focus. All components of the paper are present, but there may be errors in execution. | Demonstrates excellent organization and smooth transition between ideas. Presents a coherent, well-organized paper that effectively presents ideas in a logical flow throughout the paper. Provides an effective Abstract with key words. | |
| Topic: Does the paper effectively address the topic? Does the writer effectively combine information and analysis to present support for his/her ideas? | Below expectations. The writer does not show evidence that he/she understands the topic. It is difficult to understand what ideas the writer is trying to present. | Some problems explaining or analyzing the topic. There may be overgeneralizations or inadequate support for ideas presented. | The writer addresses the topic appropriately. There is a thesis and support for the thesis. | The student shows polished competency in both presentation and support for ideas and conclusions. | |
