final paper

Chapter 17

1115 chapter provides a sample research proposal along with an explanation of the

sections. While research proposals are written 10 2 standardized format, your instructor

may have slightly different expectations.

Abstract

1 ٦ع abstract should briefly summarize the entire proposal ٤0[ the reader. 110

abstract 111 ع printed on its own page. Although عا abstract ٧111 appear first 11 the

proposal, it is acttially written last. Abstracts should be between 75 and 125 words. ل5ع

single paragraph. The 110 ه .٧010 abstract the paper should be centered above the ع٤

Introduction

The Introduction should begin 0 ع 022ع following the abstract. 11ع title of the

paper is repeated. The Introduction provides the reader with ه general background 0 ٤ عا

company and introduces the research area. ٨ع reading the Introduction, the reader

should 0ع convinced that the proposal 15 necessary. 111 ع 00ه sentence “It is proposed that research ع conducted 0 ...” 501ل be used in 211 proposals. 11 Introduction

should be about 00 page 1002.

Review 0٤ Related Literattire

The Review 0٤ Related Literattire section should 0221 immediately following the

Introduction. 100 not use ه forced page break following the Introduction. This section

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provides ع reader with literature related to عل research topic. Choose literature from

journals which describe research 0 0201128. This section provides 0e reader WÍ0

additional information هط٤ supports 0e 01000521. 110 research starts from scratch. We

all build on 0e research work 0٤ others. The ٧1٧ 0٤ the Related Literature

demonstrates هال٤ fact. After you have summarized مه article, you should provide another

paragraph demonstrating how 0e literature 15 specifically related 10 the proposal. You

should review (and 020 relate back) at least three sources.

Assumptions

The Assumptions section should begin immediately following 102 Review 0٤

Related Literature . 100 not 18 2 forced page break following the Review 0٤ Related

Literature. 1115 section provides the reader with ا basic 25510001005 0٤ the study.

What must 02 frue for the 80٧٤0 take 012097 100 00٤ assume ل0ال hypothesis to be frue.

sure about an you are 00٤ Assumption section should be one paragraph. 1٤ ع11

2sumption, perhaps you should consider اذ a limitation instead.

Hypotheses

.Hypotheses are statements which 000089 the relationship between variables ع11

٨5 the .gathering data ل tested ع can ألعال way that ع be stated in 512 ع 1150014

heading, the ٧014 Hypotheses 15 centered 00 the page. Hypothesis and Null Hypothesis

are considered subheadings. They should be to the left and underlined. Except for

adding the word 00٤ or 00, 00 00٤ change the wording 0٤ the Hypothesis when writing the

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use a forced page break between the Hypotheses and Hypothesis. Again, 00 00٤ سل11

Assumptions section. You must, however, 1220 the 1220 1028ل subheadings ٧10 their

sentences 0 11 same 022.

Methodology

As the heading, the word Methodology is centered on the page. Subjects,

Instrument, Procedures, and Analysis are considered subheadings. They should be to the

left 20ل underlined. 11 Methodology section tells 00, what, where, when, and how.

Why is 10٤ included. ٨11 ٧ل information should have been addressed in the

Introduction and Review 0٤ Related Literature sections. 100 not use ه forced page break

between the Hypotheses and Methodology sections.

Subjects

Under the subjects subheading, you should describe the people ٧0 will be

included in your study. Give 25 much detail 28 possible about your sample. 1٤ you ه

not using people in your sample, you may use the word sample in place 0٤ the word

subjects. 1 for example, your 520001 18 75 chairs, ٧08 ال 00ل٤ describe those chairs. What

type ofchair? What are they made of? How old are they? Who manufactured them?

Where are they located?

Instrument

Before 001 describe your instrument, you must actually create 0[ choose 00.

While looking ه٤ا instrument, describe 1٤٤0 the reader. 1211 the reader what 1٤

measures, how many items 1٤ includes, 0ه how the items are scored. Provide a reference

307

1٤ appropriate. 1٤ you are 00٤ using an instrument, you may substitute ا word measure.

Then you 105٤ describe your measure. 18 82198 10 dollars? By the hour, day, week,

month? Provide the 10110012 if necessary.

Procedure

I procedure section tells the reader how the data ٧111 9 collected. How will

the subjects 1111 in ع instrument? Tell ط reader the exact steps you ٧111 take when

collecting the data.

Analysis

II analysis section tells طا reader how the 0هاه will ط tested and when طا

hypothesis will be accepted. Formulas are 00٤ needed, but you must ع specific. Use the

10110٤ “if this 18 found, then the hypothesis ٧111 be accepted.”

Limitations

The Limitations section describes things in your study that you cannot 00001.

Weaknesses 0 ٤ عال study should ع included here. 100 00٤ repeat information 010 your

Assumptions section. If you already assumed 10 ذ٤ be true, 0٧٧ then can your study be

limited by it? The Limitations section should be one paragraph. Again, 00 00٤ use a

forced page break between ط Methodology and Limitations sections.

Discussion

This section includes the conclusions of your proposal, 2 statement 0٤ expected

results and the implications of these results. 1٤ also includes recommendations for the

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company based on the results expected ه0ل recommendations for foture research. This

section does 10٤ provide specific results. 118 sections should be ه٤ least one page 1002.

100 not use a forced 022 break between ع Limitations and Discussion sections.

References

عطا all sources cited in 0٤ Reference page should include 00 alphabetized 115٤ ع11

proposal. ARA style should be used. 11ع References should be printed 01 their 01

page.

Appendix

عthe paper from 1 ٤0 separate the 00211 body 0٤ Appendix page 18 used ع11

instruments, charts, graphs, and other supporting material. 11ع page ٧111 only include the

word appendix. The material that appears following the Appendix page 501ل be

included 11 the order 1 which 1٤ was referred 0 11 1 proposal. 100 not include material

in the Appendix that was 00٤ mentioned 20ل referred ٤0 1 the proposal. 100 not include

more than 0 Appendix. 100 00٤ label the materials Appendix وه Appendix B, etc.

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Sample 11000821

The Relationship Between Employee Satisfaction and Performance ٨000121821 Methods:

٨ Research 11000821

Abstract

1٤ is proposed that research 0٥ conducted 0 determine 1٤ the method 0٤

performance appraisal used 11 employee evaluation 15 significantly related to reported

12٧28 0٤ employee job satisfaction. 1٧0 groups 0٤ 50 employees will be surveyed. One

group 18 appraised us1g 1٧080 techniques and the second group receives 2 completed

numerical 0100 completed by the department supervisor. ٨ t-test 0٤٤٧0 102208 will 0ع

used ما determine 1٤ there ه significant differences between the ٤٧0 groups 10 employee

job satisfaction. 1٤ 18 expected 02٤ the results will indicate that job satisfaction is

significantly related 0ا performance appraisal method.

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:Relationship Between Employee Satisfaction and Performance Appraisal Methods ع110

٨ Research 1000821

Wilard’s Consulting has been in business ٤0* 35 years. It began as 2 small family-

owned business ٧الن only two employees. Wilard’s 00٧ has 10 locations throughout

1101102 with over 800 employees. Wilard’s provides consulting expertise in all areas 0٤

bookkeeping and human resource fonctions. Most clients ه[ small ما mid-size

businesses in the medical and trade fields (doctors’ offices, electricians, etc.).

As Wilard’s has grown, the need for formal employee performance appraisals 88

been met with 2 number 0٤ different techniques. Each branch manager 8هط designed ع

performance appraisals used within that office. For example, the Miami office utilizes a

Management By Objective (MBO) 02110110200 appraisal technique, while the 10٤٤

Lauderdale office utilizes 511001 ه numerical ٤0110 completed by the departmental

supervisor. 11ع differences in performance appraisal techniques 102*98 1٤ difficult ٤0 the

home office to 0000022 9000100298 across locations. 1118 12205 to 010012008 in providing

promotion opportunities and allocating merit pay increases.

Before a single performance appraisal method 15 selected, 1٤٧0014 be best ٤0

evaluate the outcomes 0٤ the different methods. 00 such outcome 18 employee

satisfaction. Research has suggested that performance appraisal 1020008 may, 11 fact,

influence the satisfaction 0٤ 21000100228 (Johnson, 2000). Therefore, 1٤ 15 proposed that

research ع conducted 10 determine 1٤ the method 0٤ performance appraisals used 1م

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employee evaluation 2٤ Wilard’s Consulting 18 significantly related to reported levels 0٤

employee job satisfaction.

Review of Related Literature

Johnson (2000) proposed that the method used 10 providing employee feedback

on job performance may be 2 significant factor 111 reported 19٧215 of job satisfaction.

Using 2 sample 0٤ 145 employees, Johnson studied three different appraisal methods.

The results 0٤ 015 study indicated hat job satisfaction was significantly influenced ل

appraisal me0od. While 01 method was 00٤ better for all employees, some appraisal

me0ods were found 10 better match different jobs. 5ع concluded that managers should

make sure they select 0e employee performance method 0 ه٤ best fits with the job

classification being evaluated.

As 800001 72000) 100801 ل), one performance appraisal method is 00٤

necessarily better than another method. The Office Managers 05 ه٤ 7٧11ه Consulting

have each selected 2 200121821 method thought 10 be 2 good fit. However, before

Wilard’s selects 010 method ٤0 use in 211 offices, 1٤ would be best 1٤ each method is

evaluated. Wilard’s 50014 use care to evaluate 22ع method objectively.

Continue with additional journal articles.

Assumptions

1٤ 18 assumed that the employees currently working in the Miami and 101٤

Lauderdale offices have all been evaluated ه٤ least once under the current method ٥٤

performance appraisal. 1٤ 18 further assumed هط٤ there will be no turnover during the

3112

three weeks ٥f the study. 111 addition, it 18 assumed that employees will answer the

surveys honestly.

Hypotheses

Hypothesis

There 15 2 relationship between employee job satisfaction 204 performance

appraisal method used.

Null Hypothesis

There 18 00٤ 2 relationship between employee job satisfaction and performance

appraisal method used.

Methodology

Subjects

Fifty Wilard’s employees from the Miami, Florida 01 and fifty employees

from the 101 ؟٤ Lauderdale, 1101102 office ٧٧111 be surveyed. Each employee has been with

Wilard’s ٤0 at least 010 11 year 214 15ه received 8 ه٤ 12ه٤ one formal performance

appraisal. 11 employees range 10 222 from 21 ٤0 58 and have at least ٤٧0 years 0٤

college education. 10 classifications include accountant, administrative assistant,

computer technician, and sales representative.

Instrument

Job Satisfaction is 112 extent ٤0 011 the respondents ٣2ه satisfied with their

present position. Current job satisfaction will be measured with the short 10110 0٤ the

Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (1492) developed by Weiss, Dawis, England, and

313

Lofquist (1967). 11ع MSQ consiste 0٤ 20 1008عا measured on a five point scale ranging

from Very Dissatisfied (1) 10 Very Satisfied (5). 11018 1452 ع displayed in عا Appendix.

Procedures

Small meetings ٧111 be scheduled 22 ه٤ office for the distribution and collection

0٤ the survey. Each meeting ٧111 ط hosted 10 the conference 10010 109 ل Regional

Manager. 1 ل0 91001009 910ع surveyed directly reports 10 the Regional Manager.

Employees will have 0 opportunity 0 005 0ع meeting which best meets his/her

schedule. 1 ٨ل meetings will be held during regular office hours and all employees will ع

paid their regular wages during the meeting time. Refreshments will be provided.

Employees ٧111 %110٧٧ the directions written 00 ط form and will be given 0

opportunity to complete the survey ه٤ their 0٧1 pace. Completed surveys will ع placed

in 2 sealed 00* designated to ensure confidentiality.

Analysis

The average job satisfaction score ٤0 the Miami office will be compared to the

average job satisfaction score for the Fort Lauderdale office using 2 test 0٤ two means.

If the results indicate that 00 office scores significantly higher than the other, then the

hypothesis will 0 accepted. If the average job satisfaction score 0098 00٤ differ between

the offices, the null hypothesis ٧٧111 be accepted.

Limitations

There are 2 ٤٤٧ limitations in this study that must 09 considered. 10 begin, the

employees within the study serve 11 2 number 0٤ different job classifications. The best

performance appraisal method may 09 different for these different job classifications.

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.uncovered ع ٤0 these potential differences to allow design of this study does 00٤ ع11

11 addition, there may be differences besides 1ع appraisal method between the ٤٧0

offices 1 ه٤ influence the job satisfaction 0٤ 10ع employees.

Discussion

1٤ is expected that the results will indicate that the average job satisfaction score

for the Miami office will be significantly higher than the average 0ز satisfaction score

٤0[ the Fort Lauderdale 01112. 1٤ 18 expected that employees 000 receive performance

evaluations based on the MBO method will 2001٤ greater satisfaction with their jobs.

11282 findings lead ٤0 the conclusions هطا٤ the 11815 ه a better method 0٤ performance

appraisal ٤0 these groups 0٤ employees.

1٤ is recommended that all offices currently using the numerical form of

performance appraisal ط instructed to utilize 1180 ع method in 15ا place. Training ٤0

211 office personnel responsible for conducting performance appraisals should take place

1 .005511 5 ه5 500 ه addition, 1٤ 15 2180 suggested that 2ه office schedule a meeting

10 announce the changes 11 performance appraisal methods. This meeting should be

followed by a written memorandum 000 the Regional Manager which outlines the

reasons for the changes and the procedures ٤0 be followed. By its very nature, عطا MBO

appraisal method requires significant employee 1volvement. ٨8 such, training 82881008

.٤0 ensure the success of the MBO techniques be provided to 21000100228 ل801

The use 0٤ a 21021 0200 0٤ performance appraisal across all ten offices within

the state ٧111 allow the 10002 office ٤0 better compare employee performance across

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locations. These comparisons will allow better opportunity ٤0 advancement within the

company 204 ٧111 ensure that merit increases 10 salary 2٣9 equitably awarded.

The impact of job classifications on appraisal method may ع an important issue

for Wilard’s Consulting ما consider. Therefore, 1٤ 18 recommended that future 12520

consider 10٧ the different job classifications within the branch offices impact the success

0٤ the 14080 performance appraisal method.

References

L. 5. (2000). Testing the effects of performance appraisals 00 employee و100800 job satisfaction. The Imaginary Journal of Employee Behavior. 23(2١٠ 15-21.

Weiss, 10. ل., Dawis, 1. .٧و England,. .٧و & Lofquist, L. 11. (1967). Manual for fog Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (Industrial Relations Center. University 0٤

Minnesota).