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Research Paper

Your research paper will be based on the two required books for this class:  Covey and the book of your choice.   

 Format requirements:

· title page

· single spaced with double space in between paragraphs--no indents

· Microsoft Word

· font size 11 points

· one inch margins

· paginated

· appropriate headings—each section starts on a new page and each section clearly identified with headers

· altogether approximately 5-7 pages single spaced with double space in between paragraphs

· professionally designed

Content requirements: 

 1.       Catchy designed title page with an interesting title, your name, name of your chosen book, and author of book prominently displayed.  I expect you will incorporate a professional report format—not an academic format.  You may use a report template that you find online, or you can create your own.

2.       Summary of your chosen book.  

· 250 word synopsis/summary/highlights of your chosen book.  Do not go over 250 words! 

3.       Criticism: List any criticisms you have or points you disagree with in the book and why. 

· 500 word critical analysis that refers to specific statements, theories, or concepts that you find not usable, inadequate, or irrelevant.  Also, you may point out areas in the book that are over explained, under explained, not supported by adequate research,  and/or that deviate from the primary purpose/message of the book.

· You must use at least one outside research source in this section.  This source must in some way provide support for your critical analysis. Look for experts and leaders who have written on the same topic and/or written critically about the author and the book.

· It’s common for students to say “I can’t find anything to disagree about in my book.” When I hear that, my response is you are not looking hard enough.

4.       Synthesis with 7 Habits and Critical Analysis

· This section is the heart of the research paper!  This section must showcase your analytical, critical thinking, and research abilities

· 1500-2000 word critical analysis of how your chosen book overlaps with Covey 7 Habits. What would Covey say about this book? Where do these two books intersect (agree)? Where do they disagree?  How does each one of the Habits correlate to one of the key points in your chosen book?          

· You must include a discussion of implications of acting on the information in the two books that you see for individual behavior, for group processes, and for managers/supervisors’ effectiveness in the workplace. In other words, how are the two books practically applied in the real world?

· Report research you find that supports, detracts from, or adds to both books’ effectiveness as a guide to becoming a better person. This section should address the question of whether the information in the books is supported in the current literature as improving a person’s effectiveness.   

· This section must include a minimum of three outside researched sources.

5.       Include a bibliography and citations.

· A minimum of four quality research sources are required

· The Covey book and your chosen book are not to be included in your bibliography, nor are they considered researched sources.  However, I do expect that you will quote heavily from these books.

· May use MLA or APA format—whichever is most familiar to you 

 

Required Course Materials

TEXTBOOK   

Covey, S. R. (1989). Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

ISBN: 9781476740058

You can buy this book on half.com for .75 cents.

Or you can get the book free online at

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/upwardbound/books/the-7-habits-ofhighly-effective-people.pdf  

 Additionally, at the end of this syllabus, a list of approved books is provided.  Students are required to buy, read, and present on one of the books in the list.  No two students may choose the same book, so all book choices must be approved by me.  By the first week of class, you should have chosen and purchased your book from the list.  (If you want to present a book not on the list, you must first okay it with me.) If you start reading a book and decide you don’t like it, you are free to change books at any time.  By the third week of class, I expect you will have read both the Covey book and your chosen book in their entirety.  Take copious notes while you are reading.

COMPUTER EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE

· Reliable computer and internet service provider

· Recommended browser:   Chrome   or  Firefox .  Internet Explorer is strongly not recommended.

· Speakers to hear lectures

· Microphone to submit audio-based assignments

· Word-processing software programs (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Publisher)

· Adobe Flash

· Adobe Reader