Objective Analysis

Final Paper The purpose of the Final Paper is to apply your understanding of industrial/organizational psychology to a specific job and organization. This paper should be an objective analysis of a specific job in a particular work organization. It may be a place that you or a friend or family member is currently working. Your paper should be based on material from the class and the textbook. You are expected to write an eight- to ten-page paper (not counting title and reference pages) that integrates relevant topics and theories from industrial/organizational psychology. Utilize a minimum of three scholarly, peer-reviewed sources document in APA style. Be sure to address the following discussion points in your paper:

1. Describe the organization as a whole and a specific job within this organization.  Is there a formal job description?  Include a complete job description (if available) as an appendix. Does this organization use a formal job analysis? If so, describe it.  

2. Explain how employees are recruited and selected by the organization. Do they use tests, interviews or application blanks?  If there is a standard application, include a copy with your paper as an appendix). Is there a formal job evaluation that determines the appropriate pay levels for different jobs and employees?

3. Explain the criteria that are used to appraise employee performance.  How are employees appraised?  How often are they evaluated and by whom?

4. Discuss the kinds of training/development which are a part of this job.  How effective is the training?

5. Describe some of the specific stressors in this job and the company’s communication process.

6. Discuss how the organization or your specific supervisor motivates his/her employees.  What motivation theory best seems to apply?  Identify the leadership approach or theory which best explains this organization and discuss how it is applied.

7. Describe some of the various groups that exist in your workplace. What factors affect group performance in your job? Use at least one theory in your analysis of this setting.

8. Describe changes you would suggest for improving this job and/or organization.

Writing the Final Paper The Final Paper:

1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style.

2. Must include a title page with the following:

a. Title of paper

b. Student’s name

c. Course name and number

d. Instructor’s name

e. Date submitted

3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.

6. Must use a minimum of three scholarly, peer-reviewed sources published within the last five years (not including the course text).

7. Must document all sources in APA style.

8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style.

Helpful Hints:

Your final project asks you to tie all the information that we have covered into a practical application of the material. This can be overwhelming to think about, so I wanted to give you some suggestions on the different topics.  Please feel free to contact me with any other questions you might have.  When discussing the recruitment and selection processes, appraisal process, and training, provide readers with the pros and cons of what the company is doing currently.  When discussing the motivation, leadership and communication strategies of the company in relation to the job, convey to the reader what is working and what is not.  Use the theories discussed in class to support these strategies or explain how the theory accounts for the ineffectiveness.  To gain full points on the critical thinking aspect of the paper, you can suggest ideas to improve the process and back up your choices with the theoretical knowledge that supports those changes.  I have included more information on the project in the weekly guidance. When discussing ideas that will improve the job or organization, be sure to back up your ideas with theoretical concepts from the text or research articles.  How do these theories address the deficits of the job or organization?   How will these theories, concepts, strategies, etc support your proposed changes and bring about the desired results.

The purpose of the Final Paper is to apply your understanding of industrial/organizational psychology to a specific job and organization. This paper should be an objective analysis of a specific job in a particular work organization. It may be a place that you or a friend or family member is currently working. Your paper should be based on material from the class and the textbook. You are expected to write an eight- to ten-page paper (not counting title and reference pages) that integrates relevant topics and theories from industrial/organizational psychology. Utilize a minimum of three scholarly, peer-reviewed sources document in APA style.

Be sure to address the following discussion points in your paper: Describe the organization as a whole and a specific job within this organization.  Is there a formal job description?  Include a complete job description (if available) as an appendix. Does this organization use a formal job analysis? If so, describe it.    Explain how employees are recruited and selected by the organization. Do they use tests, interviews or application blanks?  If there is a standard application, include a copy with your paper as an appendix). Is there a formal job evaluation that determines the appropriate pay levels for different jobs and employees?   Explain the criteria that are used to appraise employee performance.  How are employees appraised?  How often are they evaluated and by whom?  Discuss the kinds of training/development which are a part of this job.  How effective is the training?   Describe some of the specific stressors in this job and the company’s communication process.   Discuss how the organization or your specific supervisor motivates his/her employees.  What motivation theory best seems to apply?  Identify the leadership approach or theory which best explains this organization and discuss how it is applied.   Describe some of the various groups that exist in your workplace. What factors affect group performance in your job? Use at least one theory in your analysis of this setting.   Describe changes you would suggest for improving this job and/or organization.   Writing the Final Paper The Final Paper:                                                                                                                                                   

·   Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style. Must include a title page with the following:  Title of paper  Student’s name  Course name and number  Instructor’s name  Date submitted  

· Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.                                                                                            

· Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.                                                                                                                                   

·  Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.                                                                                                                                      

· Must use a minimum of three scholarly, peer-reviewed sources published within the last five years (not including the course text).              

· Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.                                                                                              

·  Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing  Center.                                                                                                                                                     When writing the paper, be sure to support your ideas with research.   You might describe one of the topics above and look at it critically by applying what we have learned.  For example, if you discuss performance appraisals and state that they are only done once a year, you could support how this is not as effective as more frequent appraisals by using the information in the text.  This could also be an area you use for ideas to improve the organization.  Then be sure to explain how this benefits the employees and organization.