5 page IRP report

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014-Module-2-Wr327-U2017-FULL-IRP-Template-Recommendations

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Welcome to Module 2 on Thu03Aug.

Title Page recommendation:

Modify the Title Info for the IRP so that it is unique to your project

Proposed Improvements to OSU’s Student Experience Center (SEC)

—An Investigative Research Project Report

Prepared for Dr. Christine Hynde, OSU Special Projects Office

Submitted by [your name]

Submitted on August 7, 2017

Wr 327 summer 2017 section 002

Abstract paragraph recommendation:

Recommended (informative) ABSTRACT (Bottom-half page 1) :

A) Using compete sentences, create a one-sentence summary of each section of your report.

B) Then blend the sentences so that they have a paragraph structure—so that each sentence flows one into the next.

C) Finally, make sure that you’ve got a topic sentence at the top of your abstract paragraph—taking care not to repeat the title of your report in the abstract [because your report title will be visible on the same page].

Recommended content for the INTRODUCTION (Page 2) Section:

Paragraph#1—use the template verbatim.

Paragraph# 2: Use the template verbatim.

Paragraph# 3: Briefly describe the project that you have identified—what is it, who (students, staff, townspeople) would benefit from improving this aspect of the OSU campus, and where on campus is the problem/issue—what street, building, floor, lab etc.

Paragraph# 4: Introduce your 4-phase IRP Methodology section that follows (with enthusiasm as if you have discovered something)—a) Peer/Client review, b) Online web search, c) Online OSU library search, and d) On-site observation/interviews.

Introduction

The goal of this Investigative Research Project (IRP) report is to identify opportunities for continuing to improve the Student Experience Center (SEC) at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, Oregon. This IRP Report has been prepared specifically for Dr. Christine Hynde of the OSU Special Projects Office, 640A Kerr Administration Building, Corvallis, OR 97331. After review of this IRP report, the author hopes to be considered by Dr. Hynde as an applicant for OSU’s annual Undergraduate Project Management course (USP 407) for winter term 2018. Successful applicants will be asked to create a project team and then submit a Formal Proposal to the Special Projects office before the deadline of August 18, 2017 at 4:59 PM. Upon acceptance of the Formal Proposal, all team members will be enrolled in OSU’s annual Undergraduate Project Management course (USP 407) for winter term 2018. Project teams will be awarded a $3,000 stipend per student, 3 credit hours (USP 407), and an SEC improvement budget of $5,000.

The scope of the IRP report is limited to projects with a budget of $5,000 or less— and all IRP Reports must include evidence of preliminary research that supports a recommended improvement to the Student Experience Center (SEC) at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, Oregon. It is understood that the IRP preliminary research is based on Wr 327 class activities that include brainstorming among peers, web research, and direct observation with on-the-scene interviews.

Paragraph #3 recommended content: Briefly describe the project that you have identified—what is it, who (students, staff, and/or townspeople) would benefit from improving this aspect of the OSU campus, and where on campus is the installation opportunity—what street, building, floor, lab etc.

Paragraph #4 recommended content: Introduce your 4-phase IRP Methodology section that follows (with enthusiasm as if you have discovered something). (Dr. Hynde is aware that your IRP is being generated as part of a Wr 327 class.) Your 4-phase Methodology section should include: a) Peer/Client review, b) Online web search, c) Online OSU library search, and d) On-site observation/interviews.

4-phase Methodology Recommendations

IRP 4-phase Methodology

Methodology (300+ words, fills all of page 3 with 4 sections and 12 steps—use the 4 phase names provided, use the instruction names/numbers provided, please fill-in the details)

Phase 1: Brainstorming/Peer/Client Review Input

1. Individual Exercise: Explore the SEC links provided for SEC improvement ideas—document this.

2. Individual Exercise: Reflect on what the SEC/SLI means to you and how it might be improved—document this.

3. Group Exercise: Brainstorm within your group as to individual IRP topics—document this.

Phase 2: Web Search of IRP Topic Options

4. Individual Exercise: Web Search of SEC features and programs—document search criteria used.

5. Individual Exercise: Identify Two Relevant Web Sites.

6. Individual Exercise: Summarize Web Site Content.

Phase 3: OSU Library Online Search for reference materials related to chosen IRP topic

7. Individual Exercise: Identify Search Methods—document search criteria used.

8. Individual Exercise: Identify Two Primary Sources.

9. Individual Exercise: Summarize Content of Two Primary Sources.

Phase 4: Personal Observation/Summarized Note Taking

10. Individual Exercise: From memory/web views make a list of 10 SEC observations/further inquiry options.

11. Individual Exercise: Document these as 4 observations and 2 Interview questions.

12. Individual Exercise: Brainstorm options for improving OSU’s SEC building or programs within a $5K budget

Results Section (page 4) Recommendations:

Methodology content and results content should not be the same:

Methodology describes the brainstorming, search, and observation/interview activity.

Results are a summary of what you found after you have engaged in the Methodology activity.

IRP 4-phase Results

1. Phase 1: Brainstorming/Peer/Client Review Input—Describe details regarding your OSU-specific issue, how you narrowed your topic, and then came up with your IRP title.

2. Phase 2: Web Search of IRP Topic Options—DESCRIBE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY YOUR BEST WEB SITE; 2) DESCRIBE HOW SUCH WEB SITE DETAILS APPLY TO YOUR IRP PRELIMARY RESEARCH.

3. Phase 3: OSU Library Online Search for reference materials related to chosen IRP topic—DESCRIBE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY YOUR BEST PRIMARY RESOURCE; 2) DESCRIBE HOW SUCH PRIMARY RESOURCE DETAILS APPLY TO YOUR IRP PRELIMARY RESEARCH.

Discussion Section recommendation:

The first paragraph (Page 5) of your IRP Report is the Discussion paragraph. In order to have a discussion you need at least two options to discuss. Begin the paragraph by stating that you are proposing two solution options for addressing the OSU issue you have identified, and also state say why these are the best two solutions. Continue the paragraph by providing a numbered list of the two options and provide details—where on campus is your OSU issue located, what are the two solutions you’ve researched, when would these two solutions be best implemented; and whom would benefit (name two groups, at least, that would benefit).

Discussion

A synthesis of the results that compares, contrasts, and asks “what if” questions. The most important aspect of the methodology used for this report is [ABC]. These findings indicate why such a project would be good for OSU. The implications for OSU if such a project were not done are [XYZ].

Preliminary research was used to generate two options related to this proposed improvement to the SEC at OSU. Present two options as “parallel” numbered lists—where similar elements appear in the same order:

1. Improvement option #1: What, Where, Why, at What Cost, and for Whom (who would benefit)

2. Improvement option #2: What, Where, Why, at What Cost, and for Whom (who would benefit)

Close out the paragraph with a comparison and contrast between the two options.

Conclusion Section recommendations:

The second paragraph (Page 5) of your IRP Report is the Conclusion paragraph. Use the conclusion paragraph to recommend one of your two solutions as the best solution, and include budget considerations. Recommended format: a. Using a topic sentence, recommend a solution. b. Embed a preliminary budget within the conclusion paragraph. c. Provide details regarding sources for labor and materials. d. For your proposed solution, evaluate the benefits and any return on investment—which is to say whether this improvement will provide a direct financial return.

Conclusion (with Recommendation)

Choose one of your two options and make a final evaluation. Include budget considerations.

State why the proposed SEC improvement option researched in this report would make a good project for the OSU Special Projects office. (The mission of the OSU Special Projects Office is to give OSU students the opportunity to manage a real-world, OSU-based improvement project—a project that benefits the campus community while providing a significant entry on student resumes.) State which campus community groups would benefit the most from a project based on your IRP Report topic.

Bibliography Recommendations

Formatting Instructions for the Bibliography section (IRP Report Page 6) are pretty straightforward-- Please do the following search :

1) Google Search: “perdue owl mla”

2) OWL site navigate #1: “MLA Works Cited: Periodicals”

3) OWL site navigate #2: “MLA Works Cited: Electronic Sources”

NOTE THE EXAMPLES PROVIDED!

IRP Bibliography section (Page 6) , list alphabetically 2 primary sources + 2 web sites, MLA style—see examples below:

Bibliography

Bagchi, Alaknanda. "Conflicting Nationalisms: The Voice of the Subaltern in Mahasweta Devi's

Bashai Tudu." Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature, vol. 15, no. 1, 1996, pp. 41-50.

Dove, Rita. "Lady Freedom among Us." The Electronic Text Center. Ed. David Seaman. 1998.

Alderman Lib., U of Virginia. 19 June 1998

<http://etext.lib.virginia.edu /subjects/afam.html>.

"Learning Centre." Duracell. The Gillette Company. 31 July 2006

<http://www.duracell.com /au/main/pages/learning-centre-what-is-a-battery.asp>.

"Learning Center." Energizer. Eveready Battery Company, Inc. 1 Aug. 2006

<http://www.energizer.com /learning/default.asp>.