GRP

BUS6150 Graduate Research Paper Overview

The Complete GRP is due Day 1 (Monday) of Module Eight.

The purpose of this Graduate Research Project (GRP) is to have students compare, contrast, evaluate, synthesize, and apply theoretical concepts covered in this course to practical cases. The GRP comprises 27% of the overall grade for this course. Select one of the options (Change, Culture, or Diversity) detailed below.

Option #1 – Change: 

The student is to write a comprehensive research paper analyzing the impact of change in the workplace. The analysis should include the impact on both the organization and the employees, and consider multiple elements of the impact i.e., social, competitive, economic, political, financial, etc. Multiple organizational viewpoints from your current workplace should be considered: front-line, mid-management, senior management, customer, shareholders. The student should provide business examples to clarify and support their arguments. This paper should be balanced, based on sound business principles, and be supported by reliable research.

· Introduction: Include a depiction of the context and scope of the situation associated with a “Change” within your workplace. Examples might include a wide-sweeping policy change, process change, leadership change etc. Include the research question to be addressed in the paper.

· Literature Review: Review of literature associated with change management and leadership theories that are most closely aligned with your research question.

· Analysis: Analysis of the current situation and change management approach that is grounded in research, literature, and theory. In this portion, you will apply what you learned from the Literature Review to the context of your research question.

· Synthesis/Integration: Identify alternative approaches to successfully implementing the change that is justified and grounded in research, literature, and theory. Provide a recommendation and discuss implementation.

· Conclusion: Prepare a compelling conclusion that not only summarizes but also compels your reader to take action. Demonstrate that the research question has been answered.

Option #2 – Corporate Culture: 

The student is to write a comprehensive research paper analyzing corporate culture and its impact on their current workplace. The analysis should include the impact on both the organization and the employees, and consider multiple elements of the impact i.e., social, competitive, economic, political, financial, etc. Multiple organizational viewpoints from your current workplace should be considered: front-line, mid-management, senior management, customer, shareholders. The student should provide business examples to clarify and support their arguments. This paper should be balanced, based on sound business principles, and be supported by reliable research.

· Introduction: Include a depiction of the context and scope of the “Corporate Culture” within your current workplace. Examples might include the type of culture, acceptance or presence of the culture, apparent appropriateness of the culture as related to the strategic goals, etc. Include the research question to be addressed in the paper.

· Literature Review: Review of literature associated with corporate culture and relevant organizational management theories that are most closely aligned with your research question.

· Analysis: Analysis of the current corporate culture that is grounded in research, literature, and theory. In this portion, you will apply what you learned from the Literature Review to the context of your research question.

· Synthesis/Integration: Discuss the position of changing or maintaining the corporate culture with justification grounded in research, literature, and theory. Provide a recommendation and discuss implementation.

· Conclusion: Prepare a compelling conclusion that not only summarizes but also compels your reader to take action. Demonstrate that the research question has been answered.

Option #3 - Diversity:

The student is to write a comprehensive research paper analyzing the impact of diversity in the workplace. The student may approach the topic of general diversity or may focus on diversity as it relates to one of the following: age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability. The analysis should include the impact on both the organization and the employees, and consider multiple elements of the impact i.e., social, competitive, economic, political, financial, etc. Multiple organizational viewpoints should be considered: front-line, mid-management, senior management, customer, shareholders. The student should provide business examples to clarify and support their arguments. This paper should be balanced, based on sound business principles, and be supported by reliable research.

· Introduction: Include a depiction of the context and scope of the level of diversity within your current workplace. Examples might include elements of diversity, issues with diversity, benefits of diversity, etc. Include the research question to be addressed in the paper.

· Literature Review: Review of literature associated with diversity, the changing workforce, and organizational strategies designed to benefit from diversity that are most closely aligned with your research question.

· Analysis: Analysis of the current impact of diversity in the workplace that is grounded in research, literature, and theory. In this portion, you will apply what you learned from the Literature Review to the context of your research question.

· Synthesis/Integration: Discuss the options to further develop levels of diversity within the workplace with a focus on the benefits and with justification grounded in research, literature, and theory. Provide a recommendation and discuss implementation.

· Conclusion: Prepare a compelling conclusion that not only summarizes but also compels your reader to take action. Demonstrate that the research question has been answered.

Format the paper using correct APA 7th edition guidelines and review to ensure the paper is free of grammar and punctuation errors.

The paper should be at least 10 - 20 pages in length, not including title page, reference pages or appendix.

At least 15 current and reliable sources are required with at least 8 of those being peer-reviewed/scholarly sources.

The GRP should be submitted using the Submit Assignment button by Day 1 (Monday) of Module 8.

The paper will be evaluated using the rubric shown below.

Introduction
Exemplary	In addition to the satisfactory and accomplished criteria, the student effectively transitions into the body of the paper and models introductions consistently found in scholarly and professional literature.	27-30
Accomplished	In addition to addressing the three primary components of an introduction, the student captures the reader by including a forecast that is compelling, clear, and convinces the reader to read on.	24-25
Satisfactory	The student addresses all three of the three primary components of an introduction: a) context, b) thesis statement, and c) importance of main idea.	21-23
Approaches Satisfactory	The student addresses one or two of the primary components of an introduction: a) context, b) thesis statement, and c) importance of main idea.	18-20
Below Expectations	The student does not address any of the three primary components of an introduction: a) context, b) thesis statement, and c) importance of main idea	0-17

Literature Review
Exemplary	The student presents the current state of knowledge for the topic being addressed utilizing a diversity of scientific opinions. These various, and possibly conflicting, opinions are presented in a balanced manner and seamlessly woven together to illustrate a complete grasp of the literature across multiple research approaches utilizing appropriate peer-reviewed journals.	54-60
Accomplished	In addition to the satisfactory criteria, the reader has the foundation necessary to understand the various ideas and association to the given situation.	48-53
Satisfactory	Various salient research is summarized, compared and contrasted and sufficient in depth.	42-47
Approaches Satisfactory	The summary of the literature is relevant but is insufficient in depth.	36-41
Below Expectations	Summary of the literature on the topic is inadequate. Literature is not clearly connected with the context or thesis statement. The reader is left with little information about or little understanding of the topic.	0-35

Analysis
Exemplary	Analysis contains a clear sense of scope and context, including an assessment of the audience, relates alternative views, and qualifies analysis with personal experience, literature and theory.	54-60
Accomplished	Analysis contains a critique of the context with multiple positions, identifies assumptions, addresses ethical dimensions, and is grounded in literature.	48-53
Satisfactory	The student presents key topics and uncertainties in the situation, analysis that is grounded in the literature.	42-47
Approaches Satisfactory	Although analysis exists, it is limited to categorizing and summarizing the topic. Incorrect analysis or poorly developed analysis may exist. Analysis focuses on a single perspective and fails to discuss other possible perspectives, especially those held by others.	36-41
Below Expectations	Analysis is nonexistent or incorrect. Analysis is difficult to comprehend and lacks utility in demonstrating the student’s grasp of the content.	0-35

Synthesis/ Integration
Exemplary	The student engages in effective interpretation and integration of challenging and contrary views with supporting evidence through reflective judgment and justification. In addition, the student integrates own ideas with justification from personal experiences, literature, and theory.	54-60
Accomplished	The student engages in difficult, challenging, and discomforting ideas. Clearly presents and justifies these ideas while identifying implications and respecting other views.	48-53
Satisfactory	The student engages ideas that are accurate but limited, obvious or agreeable. Alternative views are critically critiqued to justify analysis and integration.	42-47
Approaches Satisfactory	The student discusses only a single perspective and fails to discuss other possible perspectives. Comparison of ideas and perspectives are superficial and loosely or unevenly integrated.	36-41
Below Expectations	Synthesis, integration and options are non-existent.	0-35

Conclusion
Exemplary	The student’s solution is novel and qualified as the best available, providing new direction and consideration in light of the given context and the breadth and depth of the evidence. Overall the conclusion presents a sound scholarly position.	27-30
Accomplished	The student extends beyond the satisfactory conclusion to address implications and consider ambiguities. Implications and consequences consider context, assumptions, and evidence.	24-25
Satisfactory	Conclusion is technically sound, appropriate, and supported by the literature. Conclusion may be presented as absolute and only attributed to external authority.	21-23
Approaches Satisfactory	Conclusion only loosely follows the analysis and/or the student’s fails to support the position with literature, research or theory.	18-20
Below Expectations	Conclusion is nonexistent, incorrect, or unsound. Conclusion is a simplistic summary.	0-17

Style, Format & Mechanics
Exemplary	The paper consistently models the language and conventions used in scholarly literature. The manuscript would meet the guidelines for submission for publication in a peer reviewed journal.	27-30
Accomplished	Paper follows normal conventions of spelling, grammar, and APA format throughout. Transitions and organizational structures such as subheading are effectively used which help the reader move from one point to another. The reader has little difficulty referring back to cited sources.	24-25
Satisfactory	Paper is in correct APA format, grammatical conventions are primarily correct, and appropriate scholarly references are utilized. The paper flows logically and is comprehendible.	21-23
Approaches Satisfactory	APA format is attempted but incorrectly used. Writing does not flow smoothly from point to point. There are insufficient or inappropriate citations. Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors are present.	18-20
Below Expectations	Paper contains numerous errors in spelling, grammar, and/or sentence structure, which make following the logic of the paper extremely difficult. Fails to demonstrate thoroughness and competence in documentation. Overall style and format make reading and comprehension problematic.	0-17

TOTAL

270

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