PART A

NOTE: This discussion counts toward your final research paper grade by 20% or 40 total points.

Use this discussion topic to post your draft of your research paper and to receive feedback from your group. Attach your individual draft as a word file.

Our schedule calls for feedback on draft research papers to be submitted by the end of the 6th week of our class. The schedule pushes you a bit and you will need time to read the drafts and give meaningful feedback. You will also need time to consider the feedback as received to polish your final paper for submission prior to the end of the 8th week (via the research paper Dropbox).

Remember that a draft is just that, a work-in-progress, and not intended to be the finished product. Likewise, feedback should be candid, constructive, and frank. This is the time to test your work, identify glitches, garner valuable feedback from your peers, and hone the final copy. I suggest that, as you review the drafts, identify 2-3 strong points in each and 2-3 areas that could use improvement or additional attention. Do not short your class mates with just “good job” or “interesting paper” as your sole feedback.

Note that because this is a substantial DT, the point value is up to five points, instead of the usual two points. Because considerable time is needed to read the drafts for your segment, digest the information, and offer feedback, this component of the class needs your significant attention.

PART B

Use this Dropbox to submit the final version of your research paper to me for grading (DUE April 24th). Take time to proofread closely your work. This assignment has a significant point value (135 points) and is graded using several factors (content and format; Master’s level graduate quality; spelling, grammar, punctuation; originality of topic and content; and readability and organization).

Your research paper or project is a key element of your grade; however, it is intended to be an endeavor that will benefit you as you address ethical issues in your current or anticipated work environment. Maybe this should go without saying in a class on ethics but the final write-up is to be your own work product, not merely a collection of cut and paste musings from other authors. Your final submission will be graded on eight primary factors: Draft discussion (40 points), Turnitin Similarity Check (10 points), cover page with honor code (10 points), content and format (30 points), grammar and punctuation (15 points), readability and organization (15 points), originality (30 points), and master’s level work (50 points) for a total of 200 points. Your final product should not be over five double-spaced pages of text, excluding the cover page (10 points) and references or bibliography. The cover page is to include your name, topic title, course designation, date, and class honor code (see Class Honor Code below) and an abstract of your paper. You may use the APA format to organize your paper. Since the paper/project is a significant portion of your grade, I encourage you to begin winnowing ideas early and find a topic that interests you, will be of benefit in your professional area and is do-able within the time frame of this class. Please, please understand that via appropriate services (Turnitin), I do check the sources, originality, and references to your work. Show me what you have gleaned from your readings and/or research (surveys, interviews, etc.), discussions with peers and group-mates, personal experiences, or whatever; however, do not tender as your own the re-encapsulated work of others.

Research Paper