Assignment:
Assignment Overview
Among your required reading, refer to the following two presentations for this exercise:
1. Beeler, G. (2012). How to narrow a research topic
2. David, P. (2010). Choosing and Narrowing research topics for APA and MLA essays
Case Assignment
Select a topic of interest in homeland security for your Capstone Project (for MSEDM students, select a topic of interest in Emergency and Disaster Management).
1. Select a specific geographic region; either: (1) a town, (2) a state, or (3) a body of water or coastline.
2. Select one of the following general areas in which to narrow your focus for your project:
• Intelligence and Homeland Security
• Crisis Management and Homeland Security
o Risk Management
o Leadership Challenges
o Preparedness, Planning, and Development
• Technology and Homeland Security
o WMD and CBRNE Detection Technologies
o DHS and DOD Requirements and Coordination
o Laws and Policies Governing Technologies
• Health and Homeland Security
o Disease Mitigation
o Disaster Aftermath
o Bio-terrorism
o Psychological Aspects
• Domestic Terrorism
o Ideological, Economic, and Geographical Components
o Targets of Opportunity (TOO)
o Cyberterrorism
• Critical Infrastructures
o Utilities
o Transportation
o Infrastructure Vulnerability and Protection
• Emergency Transportation Logistics
Narrowing Your Capstone Topic
Once you have a good idea of a topic area, proceed to the following steps:
1. How do I state the Capstone topic clearly and succinctly?
2. What do I consider the most interesting and relevant portions of the topic?
3. In what order do I want to present the various aspects?
4. How do my ideas relate to each other?
5. Is my topic of current interest and importance?
• Note: The Professor must approve your topic before you proceed to Module 2.
Assignment Expectations
Assignments should be at least three pages double-spaced, not counting the cover or reference page. Paper format: (a) Cover page, (b) Header, (c) Body. Submit your assignment by the last day of this module.
• Relevance-All content is connected to the question.
• Precision-Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.
• Depth of discussion-Present and integrate points that lead to deeper issues.
• Breadth-Multiple perspectives and references, multiple issues/factors considered.
• Evidence-Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.
• Logic-Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.
• Clarity-Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.
• Objectivity-Avoids use of first person and subjective bias.
• References-Sources are listed at the end of the paper (APA style preferred).
SELECTING A TOPIC/CONSTRUCTING AN OUTLINE/CHOOSING REFERENCES
A. Explain briefly how you narrowed down your topic.
1. Why is it important to you?
2. Include mention of any plans, programs, policies, and/or models that have influenced your decision.
3. Include, if any, references to the latest attacks and the impact upon the people, community, or region.
B. Identify at least 15 references pertinent to your topic. You can locate sources by using TUI Library Portal, Background Information, and Google. For five (5) of the references, provide a brief annotation for the reference (i.e., a brief summary analysis of the reference).
Remember that it is always a good idea to use primary sources rather than secondary sources. Therefore, it is best to avoid sources such as from syndicated news sources (e.g., CNN, ABC, FOX, and the like). Also, lay sites such as Wikipedia are handy for general information but not for an academic paper.
SLP Assignment Expectations
Assignments should be 3 to 6 pages double-spaced, not counting the cover or reference page. Paper format: (a) Cover page, (b) Header, (c) Body. Submit your assignment by the last day of this module.
o Relevance-All content is connected to the question.
o Precision-Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.
o Depth of discussion-Present and integrate points that lead to deeper issues.
o Breadth-Multiple perspectives and references, multiple issues/factors considered.
o Evidence-Points are well-supported with facts, statistics and references.
o Logic-Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.
o Clarity-Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.
o Objectivity-Avoids use of first person and subjective bias.
o References-Sources are listed at the end of the paper (APA style preferred).
Required Reading
Angeli, E., et al. (2011). APA stylistics: Basics.Owl Purdue Online Writing Lab.
Baker, J. and Brizee, A. (2010). Writing a research paper. Owl Purdue Online Writing Lab.
Beeler, G. (2012). How to narrow a research topic.
David, P. (2010). Choosing and narrowing research topics for APA and MLA essays.
Developing outline (2011). Essay-Writing-Tips.
Evaluating Sources: Overview (2013).
Nichol, M. (2011). 5 brainstorming strategies for writers. Daily Writing Tips.
Tardiff, E. and Brizee, A. (2010). Four main components for effective outlines. Owl Purdue Online Writing Lab.
Tardiff, E. and Brizee, A. (2011). Tips and examples for writing thesis statements. Owl Purdue Online Writing Lab.
Required Sites
Annotated Bibliography Example [Explanation of the process]
Annotated Bibliography Samples
APA Style Help Online