English homework: research proposal

Topic: Diversity in the Workplace

Everyone will choose a topic related to diversity issues. Your focus will be the impact on the workplace. You will use examples of real people. You will explain the positives and negatives. You will provide a plan for training

Gender

Race

Ethnicity

Regional origin

Nationality

Social Class

Religion

Age

Sexual Orientation

Physical Ability

Assignment 2 Research Proposal in Memo Format

Instructions

The research proposal is an overview of the subject you plan on exploring for your short research report.  You can define your subject, discuss your personal experiences related to that subject, list myths and misconceptions, explain what you need to research, discuss the impact on business, look at ways to educate on this topic, etc.

Write your research proposal following the basic memo format.

Here are grading criteria for the research proposal.

1. Type this as a memo and address it to your instructor.

2. Include headings in the memo:

· Overview (topic, definition, and background information),

· Issues (business related problems related to topic),

· Research (types of sources to support research),

· Audience (who needs to know this), and

· Call to Action (conclusion and request to move forward).

3. Be precise in your writing and get to the point. Provide necessary details.

4. Check your spelling and grammar.

5. Proposal should not exceed one page.

6. Topic should be researchable and lead into the short research report where you will be making recommendations for improvement.

Sample:

October 16, 2013

TO: ENG1131 Class

FROM: Aaron Moyer, ENG1131 Instructor AM

SUBJECT: Proposal to Raise Awareness about the Downside of Multi-Tasking

Overview

Multi-tasking is doing two or more “tasks” at the same time. This practice is also referred to as juggling different jobs or projects. Most people are proud of their multi-tasking skills, but there is a downside to asking workers to work simultaneously on differing projects in a short span of time.

Issues

Here are the problems that arise: confusion, setting priorities, lower quality work, lack of expertise, and burn-out. Some training, education, and workshops would help improve in this area. By having a company-wide effort to support focused work on projects, the quality of our products and services could increase greatly. Also, employees would be able to go deeper into solving problems and creating new products and services. Just raising awareness alone will not change the corporate culture.

Research

Multi-tasking relates to time management, setting priorities, building expertise, stress management, and quality measures. The research needed to support this proposal will be primarily web-based research and some types of experiential research: observation, interviews, surveys, etc. There are several pages in the textbook, Business Communications: Building Critical Skills, that discuss this topic.

Audience

This effort would be geared toward those who are juggling multiple, terminal projects and new initiatives. This does not have any bearing on workers who are doing multiple, repetitive tasks.

Call to Action

I’m happy to provide more details if that will help you in making a decision. I await your decision on whether I can move forward with this research.