Due Date

Begin working on the Research Project in Unit 4 and submit by Unit 7.

Research Project Parts

1. Introduction
2. Development of research project (cite sources)(citations in MLA or APA format)
3. Summary of Data/Conclusions
4. References

Description

This paper may be written as a Word document by an individual or a small group. It may also be developed as a PowerPoint presentation using slides instead of pages. Citations must be footnotes on the slides in the Notes area with a References slide(s) at the end. Students will select a broad topic, narrow it, and perform in-depth work on that topic. The project must be sufficiently complex to require the expertise of junior-senior level students. Project topics assigned will be in the general areas listed below.

If a PowerPoint format is used, then evidence of advanced PowerPoint techniques must be incorporated into the final presentation–timings, mobile graphics, use of effective transitions, etc.

Suggested broad topics to narrow:

A. Information Technology’s Role in Business
B. E-Business, Business and the Internet
C. Globalization
D. Biographies of Individual Business Entrepreneurs
E. Social Networks and their impact on Business

Learning Objectives

• Work as an individual or as a group by narrowing the topic and developing the paper.
• Read and research problems created by technology in society and some ways to modify or prevent these problems. Discuss these in the paper.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the topic by comparing/contrasting
• Sources you may use for your paper include:

1. reading the course textbooks, reading documentation materials,
2. contacting “experts” on the topic
3. researching library materials.
4. using the Internet

• All  sources will be documented in the research paper following MLA or APA format (not a combination of both). The content of the research paper is fairly open. See the description above.

Additional Considerations

Note a few of the common reasons why the group research term paper would not meet the minimum standards:

• Too easy. As stated above, the work must be “sufficiently complex to require the expertise of junior-senior level students.”
• Too little time spent in research and writing.
• If this is a collaborative project, there must be evidence that all members of the group have participated in and contributed to the final paper.
• Overlap of another course. If the content of the research paper involves concepts covered in another course(s), then it must be of a different or more complex nature. It includes the understanding that the student will complete all of the work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Park University’s honesty regulations as found in the School of Online Learning will be followed.
• Using only one source for the research.

If students wish to work together in a small group, they need to contact classmates (1 or 2) AND  ORGANIZE THE GROUP PROJECT. Members of the group must contact each other and narrow their topic to a more specific area or emphasis. The topics  and the names of the group members must be submitted and approved by the instructor by the end of Unit 4.

1. All topics require the approval of the instructor.
2. Discuss questions relating to the paper with the instructor at any time necessary.
3. Call or e-mail the instructor in an emergency.

Research Project Format

The research paper should follow the grading criteria listed below. The paper may be written in MLA format or APA format. If a PowerPoint presentation is completed, then the font must be readable when shown to a group on a screen. The research should include a minimum of 4 to 6 references cited. The number is largely dependent on the quality of the sources and the research paper topic. The research paper should follow a similar format to that found in technical journals and the format of this syllabus. In particular, it must include the following items::

• Title of Presentation on Title page
• Introduction
• Cite sources
• Discoveries, data found,
• Summary of data/ conclusions
• References
• PDF files will not be accepted
• Students will submit paper through Turnitin.

Social Networks and their impact on Business will be the Title