Analytic Thinking
tamikab86
MPA613OnlineStudiesStudentSyllabus.pdf
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MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
PROJECT CAPSTONE
MPA 613
Online Studies Student Syllabus
© Belhaven University | June 2015, Revised March 2020
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Course Description Management Research - Project III is the third and final level of the three-part course that culminates the integrative capstone project of the MPA degree. Students illustrate mastery of research skills learned during the process of coursework in a closing evaluation, assessment, or
analytical project of their own choosing by producing a formal research case study. During MPA603 Research Methods-Phase I, students conceptually selected the preliminary subject for their capstone project, either a program or organizationa l issue, secured the necessary
permissions for research, developed a timeline for capstone completion, identified the primary and secondary sources for use in research, and began development of the formal project proposal. During MPA608 Research Methods-Project II, students presented their formal research proposal for peer and instructor evaluation, both oral and written. MPA613 Management
Research –Project III, finalizes the components from the formal research proposal in MPA608 but adds critical research components, the Research Case Study Presentation section, and the Findings section, in concluding the individua l capstone research projects.
Student Competencies • Recognize that man’s pursuit of knowledge begins with the admission that God exists.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of k nowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)
• Understand that absolute and universal truth exists. “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23)
• Develop a completed, formal research project.
• Be able to articulate a coherent research project.
• Explain how the research was conducted.
• Explain what the research found.
• Develop and present an oral presentation of completed research.
• Develop and present a professional, written research case study.
• Develop a thorough and comprehensive bibliography of primary and secondary research and reference sources in the American Psychological Association format.
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Assessment Criteria
As s ignme nts Points Pos s ible
Written Assignments (7 @ 40 points each) 280
Discussion Questions (14 @ 10 points each) 140 Unit Quizzes (6 @ varying points each) 170
Oral Presentation 100
Written Research Capstone Project 310
Total 1000
Grading Scale: 930+ A 93-100%
900-929 A- 90-92%
870-899 B+ 87-89%
830-869 B 83-86%
800-829 B- 80-82%
770-799 C+ 77-79%
730-769 C 73-76%
700-729 C- 70-72%
670-699 D+ 67-69%
630-669 D 63-66%
600-629 D- 60-62%
0-599 F 0-59%
Resource Inventory
Kumar, R. (2014) Research Methodology (4th ed.). Sage Publications. ISBN: 978-1446269978 Salkind, N. J. (2014). Exploring Research (8th ed.). Pearson Education Limited. ISBN: 978-
0205093816
The Holy Bible (New Living Translation)
Re s earch Article s : Locate articles by accessing the Belhaven Library Online
http://belhaven. libguides.com/a z.php
Additional Re s ources:
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American Psychological American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
Anderson, K. (2002). Where to find it in the Bible: the ultimate A to Z resource . Thomas Nelson Inc. ISBN: 978-0785250036
Elder, L., & Paul, R. (2007). The think er's guide to analytic thinking: How to tak e thinking
apart and what to look for when you do: the elements of thinking and the standards they must meet (2nd ed.). Foundation Critical Thinking. ISBN: 0944583199 Item #595m.
Hammond, J. (2002). Learning by the Case Method. Harvard Business School. Retrieved from https://www.study.net/sample/pdf/Learning_by_the_Case_Method.pdf
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Expectations of Online Studies Students
Atte ndance
For the attendance policy, please see the Student Online Handbook in Blazenet.
Due Date s A unit is considered to be Monday- Saturday. You are encouraged to “Observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” Good time management is essential to career and academic success. Early
submissions of assignments and discussion responses are encouraged. Assignments submitted late will be subject to a 30% reduction for each day they are late up to two days and will not be accepted late after two days. Due dates are posted to the assignments.
Communication
Communicate questions directly to the professor, except in cases where you need to contact technical support. Your Belhaven University email address will be utilized for the class, so check it frequently.
Ame ricans with Dis abilitie s Act (ADA)
Belhaven University offers students disability accommodation in accordance with the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The student must make his or her disability known to the
Office of Student Care, must provide current documentation of the disability from an appropriate licensed professional, and complete the Belhaven ADA Request Form for accommodation. The student must provide such a request to the Office of Student Care at least two weeks prior to the beginning of each semester for which the accommodation is requested. Approved
accommodations will be communicated to the student and made within a reasonable time period after completion of the official request. Apply under the Quick Links on the Student Life/Services tab.
Re quire d Formatting
The required formatting for your papers, assignments, projects, discussions, or anything else that may be research based is the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). APA information can be located by clicking on Resources and then Academic Help on
the Canvas course page.
Re s ponsible Research
Responsible research is a critical component of education, and any individual conducting
research must learn how to investigate, read, understand, systematize, interpret, and finally explain complex ideas and issues in writing. An individua l conducting research must also understand that ideas found in literature, media presentations, interviews or any other form of media do not belong to the researcher and therefore must be given credit through proper
documentation. It is required that every person conducting research provides proper credit through correct use of documentation not only to prevent plagiarism, but also to demonstrate respect to the originator of the idea. To ensure that all papers possess originality, faculty members will use Turnitin. Any paper exceeding 20% of non-origina l material or noticeable
undocumented information will be subject to a discount in points at the discretion of the faculty.
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Originality
Unit writing and papers will be evaluated for originality using Turnitin. Belhaven University encourages a high degree of originality in writing. Quoted material should seldom be used and
must be limited to phrases that cannot be paraphrased or summarized without losing their effectiveness. Students are required to cite and reference all sources of information and images using APA style. APA information can be located by clicking on Resources and then Academic Help on the Canvas course page. Non-origina lity exceeding 20% on papers will be subject to
discount at the professor’s discretion and students may be referred to a writing lab for assistance with originality.
Spe cific Practice s to Avoid
• Do not attempt to get a research paper from the Internet (or anywhere else) and submit as your paper. This is dishonest and unethical.
• Do not copy from any book, article, or encyclopedia and submit this for your paper. This
is not acceptable research.
• Include references (including source and page numbers) which document every source upon which you have in any way relied for each paragraph of your paper. If sources are not properly referenced, the student has cheated the sources out of deserved credit and
cheated readers out of valuable information.
• Do not use material from any other student’s paper or work unless you give that student full credit in reference notes.
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Summary of Assignments Writing As s ignments
Writing assignments must be APA compliant and include a title page, appropriate citations, and
references. The professor will post Unit Assignments on the first day of each unit. Assignments are due no later than 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Saturday. Earlier submissions are encouraged.
Dis cus s ion Que stions
The professor will post discussion questions on the first day of each weekly unit. You should respond to the initial discussion questions no later than 11:59 p.m. (CT) each subsequent Wednesday. Responses to classmate’s discussion questions are due Saturday at 11:59 p.m. for each unit. Early postings are encouraged.
Initial discussion question responses must be a minimum of 250 words each. When indicated, a response to a classmate must be at least 100 words. Fewer than this will automatically result in a significant reduction in one’s grade. One initial response and one response to a classmate's
posting are required for each question. You must mention the person’s name to whose comments you are responding and quote what aspect of his or her post you are addressing. Without either, it is not possible to see the direction
of your comments and the comments will not receive any points. Unit Quizze s
Students will complete unit quizzes on all reading assignments and lectures. Quizzes are
available once all unit lectures have been viewed. Unit quizzes must be completed by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. (CT). Only after 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Saturday will correct answers for quizzes be posted.
The Formal Caps tone Re search Cas e Study Proje ct Pre s e ntation The formal capstone research project covers the array of topics discussed and presented in the course and is due Saturday of Unit 7. The project paper will be evaluated using the Unit Assignments and Portfolio Paper rubric (Appendix E).
Prepare the formal capstone research project using the following guidelines :
• A minimum of 20-30 pages, typed, double-spaced, size 12 Times New Roman font, using
APA standards for reference sources
• The format of the capstone research project must follow Appendix D – Major Components of Research Case Studies
• Written in the third person, past tense (because the research is now complete, over, and
finished) • An appropriate and applicable biblical principle associated with each major section and
subsection of the research proposal • A Literature Review of existing secondary research sources on your chosen subject of
research (minimum 5 pages) • A bibliography (also called Reference Page or Works Cited) with a minimum of 10
references are required, including the text, The Holy Bible (New Living Translation), books and articles from academic sources (Net Library), and other periodicals.
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UNIT ONE Unit Activitie s
• Review the course module.
• Explore the online Library and Academic Help pages.
• Read assigned materials.
• View lectures.
• Post your introduction to the discussion forum.
• Complete unit quiz.
• Respond to discussion questions.
• Submit writing assignment(s).
Re ading As s ignme nts
• Part 1: Understanding the Basic Theory of Analysis (Elder and Paul text)
• Haggai 1:7 and Romans 2:8-10
Dis cus s ion Que stions : Post your initial responses to the discussion forum by Wednesday 11:59
p.m. and respond to the discussion of others by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 1 (10 points) o Prompt: Post your preliminary discussion of your understanding or definition of
the term or concept of analytic thinking.
o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 2 (10 points) o Prompt: Respond to another student’s posting to the discussion of their concepts
and/or definitions of analytic thinking. Comment on the accuracy of their assessments, as well as writing skills (or lack thereof) and the validity of their definitions and/or understanding of the terms and concepts. Make appropriate recommendations to other student posting discussions for improving the
professionalism and academic (graduate-level) scholarship of their understanding and comprehension of the term and concept of analytic thinking.
o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
Writing As s ignment: Submit by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• As s ignme nt (40 points) o Prompt: Define analytic thinking in your own words and from your understanding
of the subject. Explain any similarities and/or differences with critical thinking. o Requirements: Two pages; not more than 500 words. Properly cite, in APA
format, a minimum of two reference sources to support your interpretation of the terms and concepts.
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UNIT TWO Unit Activitie s
• Read assigned materials.
• View lectures.
• Complete unit quiz.
• Respond to discussion questions.
• Submit writing assignment(s).
Re ading As s ignme nts
• Hammond, J. (2002). Learning by the Case Method. Harvard Business School. Retrieved from https://www.study.net/sample/pdf/Learning_by_the_Case_Method.pdf
• Chapter 1 - What Research Is and What It Isn’t; A Model of Scientific Inquiry (Salk ind text)
• Chapter 1 - Research: What Does It Mean? (Kumar text)
• Psalm 119:125 and Proverbs 14:8
Dis cus s ion Que stions : Post your initial responses to the discussion forum by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. and respond to the discussion of others by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 1 (10 points) o Prompt: Post your preliminary discussion of the purpose of your research,
explaining what you hoped to find or problem to be solved, and its contribution to society or human welfare.
o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 2 (10 points)
o Prompt: Respond to another student’s posting to the discussion of their research purposes. Comment on the accuracy of their writing skills (or lack thereof), the validity, application, usefulness, or potential contribution of proposed research to humanity and/or society. Make appropriate recommendations to other student
posting discussions for improving the professionalism and academic (graduate - level) scholarship of their research proposals.
o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
Writing As s ignment: Submit by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• As s ignme nt (40 points)
o Prompt: Explain why you chose the topic or subject you selected to research; what you hoped to learn, gain, or problem to solve through your research effort.
o Requirements: Two pages; not more than 500 words. Properly cited in APA format.
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UNIT THREE Unit Activitie s
• Read assigned materials.
• View lectures.
• Complete unit quiz.
• Respond to discussion questions.
• Submit writing assignment(s).
• Submit final paper topic for approval (if applicable)
Re ading As s ignme nts
• Part 2: Getting Started - Think About Purpose, State the Question, and Check Your
Assumptions (Elder and Paul text)
• Chapter 1 - Asking the Question and Formulating a Hypothesis (Salk ind text)
• Chapter 4 - Formulating A Research Problem (Kumar text)
• Numbers 13:17-33
Dis cus s ion Que stions : Post your initial responses to the discussion forum by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. and respond to the discussion of others by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 1 (10 points) o Prompt: Post your preliminary discussion of the assigned biblical passage and its
application to the research process. o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 2 (10 points)
o Prompt: Respond to another student’s posting to their discussion of the assigned biblical principle. Comment on the accuracy of their writing skills (or lack thereof), the validity of their analysis (analytical thinking skills) regarding objectivity or subjectivity (bias) of research, and demonstrated scholarship. Make
appropriate recommendations to other student posting discussions for improving the professionalism and academic (graduate-level) scholarship of their understanding of the purpose of research (analysis, evaluation, assessment).
o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
Writing As s ignment: Submit by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• As s ignme nt (40 points)
o Prompts: Submit your revised Section I, subsections A., B., and C. (each with an appropriate, applicable biblical principle) from Appendix D at the end of the syllabus (written in third person, past tense).
AND
o Write 1-2 pages on the question: Have you changed or revised your MPA608 research proposal purpose, research question, and/or hypothesis? Explain.
o Requirements: Minimum of two pages in APA format
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UNIT FOUR Unit Activitie s
• Read assigned materials.
• View lectures.
• Complete unit quiz.
• Respond to discussion questions.
• Submit writing assignment(s).
Re ading As s ignme nts
• Chapter 7 - Data Collection and Descriptive Statistics, The Data Collection Process, and especially, The Ten Commandments of Data Collection (Salk ind text)
• Chapter 9 - Selecting a Method of Data Collection, subsection Collecting Data Using Primary Sources; and Appendix D: Major Components of Research Case Studies, Section III - Research Methodology, subsection A. Data Collection, subcomponent 2.
Primary Sources of Data (Kumar text)
• Psalm 25:21, Proverbs 11:18, and 12:13
Dis cus s ion Que stions : Post your initial responses to the discussion forum by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. and respond to the discussion of others by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 1 (10 points)
o Prompt: Post a preliminary discussion listing of your primary research data sources. If you conducted interviews, how many did you conduct? If you distributed surveys, how many did you distribute? How many did you collect? If you conducted observations, how many did you conduct?
o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 2 (10 points) o Prompt: Respond to another student’s posting to the discussion forum of their
research data collection efforts of primary research data. Comment on the validity
of their primary research data sources: does it appear that a sufficient number of interviews, surveys, observations were conducted to provide valid information for meaningful analysis? Also comment on the accuracy of their writing skills (or lack thereof), and demonstrated scholarship. Make appropriate recommendations
to other student posting discussions for improving the validity of their primary research data collection efforts.
o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
Writing As s ignment: Submit by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• As s ignme nt (40 points) o Prompt: Based on the responses received from other students to the weekly forum
discussion, present (or revise) your narrative description of primary research data sources: who, how many?
o Requirements: Two-three pages (500-750 words) in APA format
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UNIT FIVE Unit Activitie s
• Read assigned materials.
• View lectures.
• Complete unit quiz.
• Respond to discussion questions.
• Submit writing assignment(s).
Re ading As s ignme nts
• Appendix D. Section IV. Research Case Study Presentation
• Chapter 14, subsection: Method (Salk ind text)
• Chapters 16-17 (Kumar text)
• Proverbs 16:3 and Proverbs 23:23-24
Dis cus s ion Que stions : Post your initial responses to the discussion forum by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. and respond to the discussion of others by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 1 (10 points) o Prompt: Post a preliminary discussion of your research case study presentation,
Appendix D- Section IV (your narrative description of what you did and how you did it). List any revelations, illumination, or obstacles incurred from your
research effort. o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 2 (10 points) o Prompt: Respond to a minimum of three (3) other student postings to the
discussion forum of their research case study presentations. Comment on the accuracy of their writing skills (or lack thereof), and demonstrated scholarship. Make appropriate recommendations to other student posting discussions for improving the professionalism and academic (graduate-level) scholarship of their
case study presentation narrative discussions. o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
Writing As s ignment: Submit by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• As s ignme nt (40 points) o Prompt: Provide a narrative-descriptive summary of your research case study
presentation: how, what, when, where. This may, and should, be expanded in the week 7 final written research case study project (Portfolio, 15-25 pages).
o Requirements: Five-six pages (1250-1500 words) in APA format
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UNIT SIX Unit Activitie s
• Read assigned materials.
• View lectures.
• Complete unit quiz.
• Respond to discussion questions.
• Submit writing assignment(s).
Re ading As s ignme nts
• Appendix D, Section V – Findings
• Chapter 14, subsections: Results and Discussion (Salk ind text)
• Chapters 15 - 17 (Steps 7-8) (Kumar text)
• I Kings 3:12 and Proverbs 14:8
Dis cus s ion Que stions : Post your initial responses to the discussion forum by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. and respond to the discussion of others by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 1 (10 points) o Prompt: Post your preliminary discussion of your most significant research
Findings. Was there anything of interest, surprising, illuminating, or any revelations of your primary research findings?
o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 2 (10 points) o Prompt: Respond to a minimum of three (3) other student postings to the
discussion of their Findings. Comment on the accuracy of their writing skills (or
lack thereof), the validity of their analysis (analytical thinking skills), and demonstrated scholarship. Make appropriate recommendations to other student posting discussions for improving the professionalism and academic (graduate - level) scholarship of their Findings presentation (forum discussion postings).
o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
Writing As s ignment: Submit by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• As s ignme nt (40 points) o Prompt: Present your research findings. You must answer, specifically, your
research question; you must respond, explicitly, to your research hypothesis (your preliminary assumption about what you thought the research would reveal before you actually conducted your research); and you must, explicitly, compare your
primary research Findings against secondary research sources (your literature review). Do your primary research findings agree with and support the secondary research sources on the subject or do your primary research findings disagre e with and refute the findings of secondary research sources on the subject?
o Requirements: Three-five pages (750-1250 words) in APA format
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UNIT SEVEN Unit Activitie s
• Read assigned materials.
• View lectures.
• Complete unit quiz.
• Respond to discussion questions.
• Submit writing assignment(s).
Re ading As s ignme nts
• Appendix D of the syllabus. Follow the proscribed format (almost like a table of contents) for organizing and presenting your oral presentation in the proper order.
• Chapter 14 (Salk ind text)
• Chapters 16-17 (Kumar text)
• Proverbs 15:2 and 23:12, Ecclesiastes 1:8-9, and 7:23-25
Dis cus s ion Que stions : Post your initial responses to the discussion forum by Wednesday 11:59
p.m. and respond to the discussion of others by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 1 (10 points) o Prompt: Provide your advice and recommendations to other students in this
course for developing professional PowerPoint slides based on your knowledge
and experience. o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
• Dis cus s ion Que stion 2 (10 points) o Prompt: Respond to a minimum of three (3) other student queries, questions, or
requests for advice and suggestions in developing lecture slides to make them professional, interesting, attractive and eye-catching, including size and type font (or font style) for clear viewing, contrasting colors, etc. What is the most useful and illuminating component of this course of instruction? Which component of
this course of instruction requires revision, and why? o Requirements: 250 words minimum initial post, 100 words minimum reply
Writing As s ignment: Submit by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• As s ignme nt (40 points) o Prompt: Submit the three critical elements that your Findings must contain, as
explained in the lecture for this week’s assignment. First, state the issue or question and then answer the question or issue. There are three essential elements
that your Findings must address. o Requirements: Two (2) pages; not more than 500 words in APA format
Oral Pre s e ntation: Submit by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
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• As s ignme nt (100 points) o Prompt: Integrating your understanding from the assigned readings from the
textbooks, develop and submit Microsoft PowerPoint slides of an oral presentation of Appendix D from the syllabus as if you were going to present your formal, completed capstone research project in front of an actual audience.
Formal Caps tone Re search Proje ct: Submit by Saturday 11:59 p.m.
• As s ignme nt (310 points)
o Prompt: Portfolio assignment will be reviewed by Turnitin.com for originality review and APA format compliance of secondary research sources.
o Prepare the formal capstone research project using the following guidelines : ▪ A minimum of 20-30 pages, typed, double-spaced, size 12 Times New
Roman font, using APA standards for reference sources ▪ The format of the capstone research project must follow Appendix D –
Major Components of Research Case Studies ▪ Written in the third person, past tense (because the research is now
complete, over, and finished) ▪ An appropriate and applicable biblical principle associated with each
major section and subsection of the research proposal ▪ A Literature Review of existing secondary research sources on your
chosen subject of research (minimum 5 pages) ▪ A bibliography (also called Reference Page or Works Cited) with a
minimum of 10 references are required, including the text, The Holy Bible (New Living Translation), books and articles from academic sources (Net Library), and other periodicals
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APPENDIX A
STUDENT SUPPLEMENTS
EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND RELEASE FORMS Templates (may be modified)
AGENCY CONSENT FOR BELHAVEN UNIVERSITY STUDENT GRADUATE RESEARCH Age ncy Information: (Name , addre s s , location)
Point of Contact: (Name , title or pos ition)
Graduate Stude nt Rese arche r: (Name )
TERMS AND RELEASE
1. Belhaven University agrees to treat this case with the highest degree of professionalism and
accepts the relationship of trust and confidence with the client agency by this agreement 2. All efforts will be made by Belhaven University to keep all information received and
developed in the course of conducting the report in strict confidence. However, the client agrees not to sue Belhaven University for any breach of this confidence by the student researcher.
3. The client agrees to provide the necessary information through the Freedom of Information
Act and support Belhaven University to permit timely and acceptable completion of the case requirements. Both the client and Belhaven University agree to focus the work of the student researcher according to the specifications of this agreement.
4. Belhaven University and its representatives cannot, for any reason, be held responsible for
any effects on the client and/or agency directly or indirectly from the research conducted by the student researcher. The client/agency agrees that the research report resulting from this contract are voluntarily provided as resource material. Any implementation of recommendations or undertaking of activities as a result of the research effort is performed
at the full discretion of the client and/or agency with all risk and liability assumed by the client and/or agency.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE ABOVE TERMS AND RELEASE AND AGREE TO THEM.
___________________________________
Clie nt’s Signature
___________________________________
Stude nt Re s earche r’s
Signature
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APPENDIX B
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT
In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the Belhaven Graduate Research
Program as a student researcher, I hereby state that I am informed and fully aware of the necessity of insuring that the affairs of my clients remain confidential. I agree that, unless I am authorize d in writing by my client to do so, I will not reveal any information about my client’s business to any unauthorized person, except as provided by law on public agencies. I understand that no person
other than faculty advisors, project team members, and my client are authorized to discuss this case with me. I will not:
Solicit or accept compensation for any services to clients assigned to me while operating under the terms of the research effort.
Recommend the purchase of goods or services from sources in which Belhaven University
or I have an interest or represent.
Request or accept fees or commissions from third parties associated with the research effort who have supplied goods or services to a client upon the University counselor’s or
advisor’s recommendation.
I will assure that all surveys, questionnaires, studies or other material developed by the student research effort are provided to the client or client agency only, and not used by
third parties.
___________________________ DATE: _______________________
Student Researcher’s Signature
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APPENDIX C
STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
I, the undersigned, hereby confirm that all work and information that has been revealed
between the client agency, its representatives and/or official, and the undersigned is of utmos t confidentiality. Therefore, any operating records and/or statements that are contained herein or that I, the undersigned, may have seen will be discussed with no one outside of Belhave n University except that provided by law. Only one copy of the research report will be provided to
Belhaven University for grading purposes and retained for record purposes. _____________________________________ DATE: _______________________
Student Researcher’s Signature
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APPENDIX D
Major Components of Research Case Studies Cover page, containing title, contact information, etc.
Executive Summary (or Abstract) – this is a page separate from the case study, following the Table of Contents (TOC). Research Case Study
I. Overview of the organization and your focus.
A. Statement of purpose – description of situation, the issue or problem researched, your reason for selecting it, and a needs statement (justification for the study, what problem
will it solve). (Add appropriate biblical principle).
B. Research question or management decision to be made – the question you asked to try to solve the problem mentioned in the statement of purpose. The question should not be
open-ended or too broad. In the case of a program or policy decision, it should be stated succinctly, with supporting items for analysis (the elements that you must investigate for the decision to be made). The research question helps to narrowly define the scope of your research. (Add appropriate biblical principle).
C. Hypothesis – an educated guess. If you are conducting primary research to gather and
analyze data based on your research question, you will have an assumption about what the research will reveal. (Add appropriate biblical principle).
D. Plan of study (Add appropriate biblical principle).
1. Major descriptive tasks (to complete the research) 2. Working objectives (to complete the research)
II. Theoretical perspective (how your research contributes to the existing base of knowledge
about your subject – you have to know what the current base of knowledge is before you can contribute to it). (Add appropriate biblical principle).
o Literature Review (Add appropriate biblical principle) a. Review of current theory or literature (secondary research sources) b. Review of empirical studies (these are studies you will find in your research
that have tested existing theories and may provide you with an idea of what
has recently been done in the field, types of survey instruments used, etc.)
III. Research Methodology (Add appropriate biblical principle) A. Data Collection – how you collected your primary research data: conducted surveys,
interviews, analyze records collected from the organization, etc. 1. Define your protocol for how you collected your primary research data
(quantitative or qualitative)
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2. List Primary sources of data 3. List Secondary sources of data
B. Data Management and Analyses
1. How did you analyze the data you collected? Remember that data is plural; datum is singular
2. Did you use statistical analysis? If so, what kind? Did you look at mean, median, and mode? Why did you choose the form of analysis chosen?
C. Case study application discussion 1. What are the advantages of case studies?
a) List primary and secondary/universal advantages of your case study b) Use the library and the Internet for support for additional case study methodology
texts 2. What are the limitations of case studies?
a) List both primary and secondary/universal limitations of your case study.
IV. Research Case Study Presentation (Add appropriate biblical principle) This is the individua l research narrative story of what the researcher did and how s/he did it. Written in the third person, past tense, it is the integration of all research components learned to-date in a completed capstone analysis. It is usually the most lengthy,
voluminous section of the written capstone project because it is the researcher’s own research story.
V. Findings (Add appropriate biblical principle)
First, the researcher’s primary findings must specifically answer the research question and the preliminary research hypothesis. Secondarily, the individua l case study findings must agree with and reinforce the secondary research sources (the literature review), or disagree and refute the secondary research sources on the research subject.
List of References
A bibliography or works cited list of all secondary research sources (in APA Manual format) which contributed to the development of the capstone project.
Appendices
If applicable. Examples of surveys, interview questions, voluminous graphs, charts, or tables not appropriate for placement within the formal, written research case study
manuscript.
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Appendix E
Total
Points
Dis cus s ion Rubric
10 Excellent – a contribution that demonstrated sound critical thinking skills in analyzing, evaluating, and or applying s ubstance of the weekly content and was submitted on time
8 Very Good – a contribution that fell slightly short of the excellent guidelines and may have either been submitted late or left a few points unaddressed from the discussion criteria
6 Good – a contribution that needed additional development in using sound critical thinking skills in analyzing, evaluating, and or applying substance of the weekly content.
4 Needing Improvement – a contribution that needed additional development in using sound critical thinking skills in analyzing, evaluating, and or applying substance of the weekly content.
2 Unsatisfactory – a contribution that did not reflect the use of sound critical thinking skills in analyzing, evaluating, and or applying substance of the weekly content.
0 Did not submit posts by close of the weekly forum
Note to student Please use this rubric to support your response and follow-up replies in the discussion forums. It is necessary to also understand the substance of the discussion question and your responses
should reflect applying the learning content up to and including the week of the discussion forum. Personal experience, workplace examples, and scriptural support are always encouraged
to support your response. However, it is important to avoid any proprietary information from the workplace.
If your score is lower than expected, use the rubric as a guide to evaluate your responses for improvement efforts. If unsure as to what steps to take try:
1. Reading the discussion question thoroughly and repeatedly before replying 2. Including additional depth in your responses 3. Tightening your focus; be more concise 4. Working on application of content to your workplace or area of ministry
Making sure your response is compatible with a sound Christian Worldview
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Rubric for Evaluation of Unit Assignments and Portfolio
Crite rion Be low Ave rage
0.0-0.33
Ave rage
0.34-0.67
Above Ave rage
0.68-1.00
Communication
Originality
Critical Think ing
Integration
Christian Worldview
Communication evaluates the proper attention to format, grammar, punctuation, and the student’s ability to develop thought in an organized structure that exhibits graduate level work.
Originality evaluates the attention to proper citing and referencing of source materials and the student’s ability to summarize, paraphrase, and effectively quote the work of others, while developing original ideas and thoughts from researched material. Critical thinking evaluates the exhibited understanding of the process for reasoning and the elements of thought as illustrated in the student’s written work.
Integration evaluates the appropriate inclusion of thoughts, ideas, and information from assigned reading in context with the topic, question, or task. Christian worldview evaluates the appropriateness of referenced scripture to the topic, question, or task.
