Professional Development MBA-525-MBOL1 Journal 1

MBA 525 - Module 1: Journal Article Assignment 1

Assignment

You will locate one peer-reviewed journal article related to a topic covered in Module 1 and create a

professionally designed PowerPoint presentation. In the presentation, you must identify and explain the

purpose of the study (article), interpret definitions and variations in definitions, if any. The presentation

should include a minimum of five slides, with audio embedded on each slide (for a total of five-to-seven

minutes). You will also submit a Word document of your audio transcript.

Steps

The following sequence of steps will help you complete this assignment successfully.

1. Read the module content and assigned textbook material thoroughly.

2. Based on the module content and textbook material, decide on a business-related topic to

research. It is helpful if the topic is narrowed and focused. For example, the topic of global

economy is too broad and yields over 5,700 peer-reviewed articles in EBSCO Host. Instead, you

may consider how Argenti discusses global economy in Chapter 1. Based on Chapter 1, how

would you narrow the topic? You may decide you are interested in the role of technology and the

global economy. This search, in contrast, yields a much more manageable list of peer-reviewed

journal articles.

3. Use the SLU online library databases to search for your peer-reviewed journal articles. You will

need to use your SLU ID and password to gain access. From the list of databases, select either

EBSCO Host or Proquest. Both include an option to limit a search to scholarly/peer-reviewed

journals. You can also limit your search to full-text; however, the SLU Library has an excellent

inter-library loan service that quickly gets you what you need. You can request full copies of

articles the SLU Library does not have.

4. Evaluate your search results. Be certain a source is indeed an academic journal, not a book

review, abstract, or “popular” (magazine) article. You do need access to the entire journal article.

Open the complete database entry for your article. Look for “document type” and “author

affiliation.” You most often want a document type of “article”; however, some essays may be

appropriate. If you have doubt, ask your professor. Most authors of peer-reviewed articles will be

affiliated with a university, college, or research institute. See Evaluating sources below for

further information regarding popular versus scholarly articles.

5. Read the article. Most will find it useful to read the abstract first and conclusion second. You will

then want to read the review of literature and the remaining parts of the article. Keep in mind that

scholarly articles are dense, and most people need to read them more them once. Take your time

to process what you are reading and make notes. Use the Swales and Feak textbook to assist

you with identifying the purpose of the article and the definition of key terms.

6. When you have completed reading the article, take time to reflect on it. Remember the hallmark

of graduate studies is original thought. Throughout your studies you will be asked what you think

about something. Try to connect the article with what you already know from undergraduate

studies, other classes, work experience, and life experience. If you need to locate other sources

to back up your point, do that now before moving on.

7. Prepare and organize thoughts for your presentation. Remember that your objective is clear for

this presentation. You are required to summarize the article, identify and explain its purpose, and

define key terms (clarifying any discrepancies in definitions), all packed in a professional

PowerPoint presentation. Be certain to read the grading rubric in the Start Here folder for details.

Evaluating sources

Scholarly/peer-reviewed journals are vital sources of up-to-date information and scholarship. Although

“popular” sources (magazine, primarily) are not without merit and may also contain well-considered

writing, the purpose of distinguishing between these types of works is to determine their degree of

authority and depth of research on a given topic, and thereby their intrinsic academic value. The following

chart points out the distinctions between popular and scholarly periodicals.

Popular Scholarly/peer-reviewed

Broad range of topics, generally presented in

shorter articles

Specific, often narrowly focused topics in lengthy,

in-depth articles

Articles offer overview of subject matter; reportage,

rather than original research; sometimes contain

feature articles and reports on current social issues

and public opinion

Articles often contain previously unpublished

research and detail new developments in field

Intended to attract a general readership without any

particular expertise or advanced education

Intended for specialist readership of researchers,

academics, students and professionals

Written by staff (not always attributed) or freelance

writers using general, popular language

Written by specialists and researchers in subject

area, usually employing technical, subject-specific

language and jargon

Edited and approved for publication in-house (not

peer-reviewed)

Critically evaluated by peers (fellow scholars) in

field for content, scholarly soundness, and

academic value

Articles rarely contain references or footnotes and

follow no specific format

Well-researched, documented articles nearly always follow standard format: abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results,

conclusion, bibliography/references

Designed to attract eye of potential newsstand

customers: usually filled with photographs or

illustrations, printed on glossier paper

Sober design: mostly text with some tables or graphs accompanying articles; usually little or no photography; negligible, if any, advertising; rarely printed on high-gloss paper

Each issue begins with page number '1'

Page numbers of issues within a volume (year) are

usually consecutive (i.e., first page of succeeding

issue is number following last page number of

previous issue)

Presented to entertain, promote point of

view, and/or sell products

Intended to present researchers' opinions and

findings based on original research

Examples: Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Vogue Examples: American Sociological Review, Journal

of Popular Culture, Sustainable Agriculture

(Derived from material created by UC Santa Cruz University Library. Used with permission.)

Statement on graduate-level writing requirements

Your writing reflects your ideas and communicates your understanding of the topic to the instructor. Even

though the writing in this assignment will be done as a presentation (PowerPoint slides and a transcript of

your audio), it is important to adhere to graduate writing standards. This assignment will be graded on the

composition elements listed below, as well as your understanding of the content:

Successful graduate-level writing should demonstrate

• Proofreading skills

• Correct grammar and punctuation

• Logical organization

• Proper content presentation (introduction, body, conclusion)

• Correct formatting for citations, references, and headings

• Correct and consistent use of APA style and formatting

Assignment submission

Submit the Journal Article 1 to Chalk and Wire no later than Sunday 11:59 EST/EDT of Module 1.

The Journal Article 1 Chalk and Wire link is located in the Module 1 folder. Students who do not

submit the assignment to Chalk and Wire will receive a zero. This is a key program assessment; the

results are used to ensure students are meeting program goals. Video and PDF instructions can be

found on the course home page. PDF instructions are also located in the Start Here folder. (Chalk

and Wire is linked to turnitin).