Research Project
Focus of the Research Project
The final version of your Research Project should be 10 to 12 double-spaced pages (not including the title page, reference page, tables, appendices, etc.).
The paper will be an original business research project that tests a hypothesis of your choice. The research can relate to your place of current/previous employment or other contexts of interest. Sample topics could include, but are not limited to:
Manufacturing quality/cost improvement
Service quality improvement
Systems design
Accounts receivable/billing/accounts receivable aging
Marketing/advertising Issues
Sales of goods
Investments
Product safety
Workplace safety
Labor pools
Human resources matters of broad concern
Population studies
For your Research Project, you will be combining all parts that you have worked on from Weeks One through Five. Your paper should be formatted as follows:
Part 1: Introduction
Background information about your research project (Week One)
Describe the management dilemma (Week One)
Ethical Concerns (Week Two)
Develop and explain your hypothesis (Week One)
Part 2: Literature review
Background research on at least three scholarly sources (Week One)
Part 3: Data
Secondary data (Week Three)
Measurement benchmark and scales (Week Three)
Plans for using observations, focus groups, interviews, or surveys (Week Four)
Plans for analyzing data (Week Five)
Plans for how to analyze results (Week Five)
Part 4: Results
Summarize and display the results of your research. Provide charts, graphs, tables, and so forth, as they might apply to your research.
State whether you reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis based on your study; explain.
Part 5: Conclusion
Summarize the entire study and reflect on it
Consider the "take-home" message that management and other decision makers can use from this research to make informed business decisions.
Include the strengths and weaknesses of the study and suggestions for future research.
Part 6: References
Include a separate references page and cite all references within the text of the paper.
Part 7: Appendix
If applicable
Writing the Research Project
The Research Project
Must be 10 to 12 double-spaced pages in length (not including the title page, reference page, tables, appendices, etc.) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate 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 at least three scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library, in addition to the text.
Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.