Research report for advanced communication

COMM 6019-65 Value: 25%, Due: August 1, 2018 before 10pm

Research Report Task: Your boss/stakeholder in your project has asked you to write an informative, interesting, analytical, recommendations research report on one of the topics below (see list of topics or choose a topic of your own and ask me to approve it). Following the report format (Week 4 and 6 Content) you will investigate this topic/issue, provide researched information about various aspects on the topic and conclude with a list of recommendations (based on your research findings). A sample report will be discussed in Weeks 4-6 in class. Research Component: • Include at least five sources from places such as the Internet, newspapers, magazines, books, interviews, etc. • At least one of these sources must be peer reviewed. You must include at least one citation or paraphrase from each source, using the APA style of documentation. • Please ensure you consult the CRAAP/COCOA for reliability of sources (Week 4 Content). • There must be a References page at the end of your report that should be linked to your in-text references. *Note: Wikipedia is not an acceptable source and will not count towards your research component. Requirements: • Format: formal report addressed to me OR to your boss/stakeholder • Length: approx. 12-15 pages long, including graphics and References page • Components: title page, table of contents, list of figures, executive summary, introduction, body, conclusions & recommendations, appendix (if applicable), References • Pattern: direct or the indirect, depending on your audience • Correct APA format throughout, including in-text citations and References page (for information regarding APA format, consult the Purdue University Online Writing Lab: APA Formatting and Style Guide) • Organization: sections with effective headings and subheadings • Full block format; single-spaced, 1 blank line between paragraphs; main sections start on a new page • Font: Times New Roman 12-point for text. You can use larger font for headings. • Style and Grammar: Apply all of the principles of effective business communication, including correct punctuation, grammar, and spelling

This topics for your research reports:

You may choose one among these four.

• How has social media helped solve and/or create problems in North America and throughout the globe? • IS Privacy Issues: If individuals have genetic testing, who should have access to that information? Should healthcare companies have access? Should employers? • Linking Information Systems to Professional Communication: how does technology change they way in which we share/communicate/disseminate information within the professional environment? • How is Google Search changing us? Is Google Making Us Stupid? What the Internet is Doing to our Brains

3 Late Penalty: Late assignments will be penalized at a rate of 10% per day (including weekends). After

3 days, the Dropbox will close and assignments will no longer be accepted. Academic Integrity: All papers will be checked for plagiarism using Turnitin. Please make sure you reference your sources correctly and view your % of copied text. It is acceptable for this report to have approximately 10-15% of

quotations. If you are concerned please check the Turnitin score before the due date. Submissions cannot

be altered after the due date has passed.

Evaluation Criteria:

RESEARCH REPORT GRADE Report structure/ sections: 1. Title page, table of contents, list of figures, executive summary /10

•Topic chosen is specific, focused, and appropriate /10 • Report addresses important questions related to topic

Introduction explains importance of this research, provides background about business situation or problem to be solved •Intro mentions solution/ proposal (for direct pattern reports) /30 3. Findings, Analysis, and Recommendations

•Specific and pertinent facts are provided about topic •Facts and ideas are presented clearly •Recommendations, if applicable, are based on findings

Summary, if applicable, is an appropriate recap of main points Use of Sources •At least 5 appropriate, high-quality sources used effectively to support findings /20 and/or recommendations • Source material integrated well, with appropriate signal phrases, in-text citations, parenthetical references, etc. •APA format used without error /10 Formatting, readability, and usability of document

• Correct report format • Sufficient, consistently written, and formatted headings to guide reader

Some information presented graphically via charts, diagrams, tables, etc. (taken from sources or created by student) • Long paragraphs avoided in favour of manageable paragraphs and/or bulleted/numbered points, where appropriate • Appropriate tone (objective, formal) Free of all grammatical, spelling, and stylistic errors /20

•

• matching text to your references and or in- text

TOTAL /100