Major Research Question

DBA 715

Major Research Paper Guidelines and Rubric

The Major Research Paper is a final project (20-25 pages of content) where you will select a course topic

that may be associated with your proposed dissertation topic. The paper should include a driving

research question and literature review. Make sure your focus is related to issues in the field of

Organizational Behavior (See listing of possible topics below). Your professor must approve your topic.

Your paper should do the following:

1. Identify and define the areas of your study and the fields of theory and research from

Organizational Behavior that make up the background of this area.

2. Evaluate the current methods in Organizational Behavior.

3. Identify how the field and current research might help improve the quality and productivity in an

organization.

4. Identify how the field and present research might lead to more socially-responsible behavior.

5. Indicate the future direction you believe the area of study should take (i.e., identify unresolved or

understudied questions, make suggestion for theory development and possible streams of

research) and explain why you think your observations might be true?

6. Identify and analyze major business trends that have or could have a significant impact on your

area of concentration. Use current research to support your analysis. Explain if and how

answering your research question addresses these trends.

7. Your paper should be from 20-25 pages in length excluding the cover page, table of contents,

executive summary, and reference section. Standard APA format is required.

Some possible topics for the research paper might include:

a. Organizational and Social Justice

b. Organizational Commitment

c. The Human Side of Innovation Management

d. Role of Emotions in Organizations

e. Organizational Theory & Design

f. Corporate Social Responsibility in Industries

g. The Role of Job Satisfaction Relating to Organizational Performance

h. What styles of Leadership Should be Used for Maximum Organizational Effectiveness

i. Managing Teams in Global Organizations

j. Are There Dangers to Having Too Much Diversity on a Team and How Should One Best Manage

a Diverse Team?

The Major Research Paper Question is due in Module 2.

The Major Research Paper is due in Module 7. (This is linked to Turnitin.)

Points Associated with LOM Code No Paper 1-74 75-82 83-94 95-100

Scores of “Excellent” in each section serve as evidence of achieving the Saint Leo University Core Value

of EXCELLENCE through comprehensively researched and scholarly written assignments. Category Weight Excellent Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Paper Content (80%)

Introduction/Thesis

(10%)

Score: __%

Captures reader’s attention,

previews main ideas. Offers a

compelling argument. Provides

specific topic overview.

States the theme of the

paper; captures reader’s

attention. Provides a

general topic overview.

No discernable

introduction. No thesis

statement.

Evidence (10%)

Score: __%

Research presented is

authoritative; compelling,

scholarly; and well supported.

Research is authoritative

& compelling but more

professionally oriented

or web-based.

Uses poor or

unsupported resources.

Body

Structure/Flow

(20%)

Score: __%

Main ideas and arguments

clearly presented and

supported in well-developed

paragraphs. Excellent balance

of paper sections.

Main ideas presented,

but paper lacks clarity

and focus and/or does

not flow well.

Confusing ideas

presented. Poor balance

of paper sections.

Analysis,

Synthesis, &

Evaluation (30%)

Score: __%

Determines most important

points in material. Combines

numerous concepts to develop

new ideas. Compares,

contrasts, and/or appraises

ideas, procedures, and

solutions in literature.

Discovers some

important points.

Combines at least two

concepts. Shows some

signs of evaluation.

Relates unimportant

information. Lacks

synthesis of concepts.

Does not evaluate ideas,

procedures, or solutions.

Conclusion (10%)

Score: __%

Summarizes content and

provides ideas for future

research.

Summarizes paper

content.

No discernable

conclusion.

Content Total: __%

Paper Style (20%)

Grammar/Spelling

(5%)

Score: __%

No errors in usage. Few minor errors in

usage.

Frequent errors in

usage.

Paper Length (5%)

Score: __%

Appropriate length. Within 17-19 pages. Fewer than 18 pages.

APA Style (10%)

Score: __%

All sources accurately

documented in APA; accurate

reference page; effective use of

headers/sub headers.

Some APA citation

errors; references mostly

accurate; minor paper

formatting errors.

Sources are not

documented; numerous

APA errors; no reference

list or headers.

Style Total: __%

LEARNING OUTCOME MANAGER (LOM) CODE 0 1 2 3 4

Final Grade: _____%