Question: Management Research Project Requirements
TOPIC - Each student will submit a research project that selects a current management problem and applies one or more principles of management discussed in the class to the problem. One approach might be to discuss how Volkswagen should evaluate its code of ethics and its decision process in the aftermath of the recent emissions-cheating scandal with which it is still dealing. Another approach might be to discuss the ethics of the performance measures used as a control mechanism at Wells Fargo Bank, and whether the company's response to the recent allegations of fraud has been sufficient to prevent recurrence. These examples are for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed as a requirement for students to explore these problems. To encourage students to conduct extensive research, as well as to enhance their learning from this project, students may not choose to analyze a problem in their own company or organization (for those on active duty in the military, this means no problems involving their branch of service, another service branch, or the Department of Defense). To assist in the identification of a suitable problem, students should visit the University Library and review recent issues of publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Barron's, The Economist, Bloomberg Business Week, Financial Times, etc. Use the links on the library's home page for access to tutorials that can greatly assist you in finding articles in these publications and others. The business section of your local newspaper is also a good source for such articles as they often discuss problems being experienced by national or international companies that have a local presence. Students must submit a draft of the proposed problem statement by the end of Week Three (see the link under the "Assignments" tab).
FORMAT - Your research project must conform to the requirements set forth in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition (2nd printing, October 2009), also known as the APA Publications Manual. The paper should be double-spaced, 12-point font (Times New Roman), with one-inch margins at the top, bottom, left, and right of each page. From a content standpoint, all that is required for this course is a title page, Abstract, the body of the paper (15-18 pages), and references page(s). If the student chooses to include appendices or tables of information, these should also conform to the APA Publications Manual. Points will be deducted if these requirements are not met. APA requires that papers be written in third-person perspective.
The format of the research project should be as follows:
Title Page;
Abstract;
Problem Statement;
Research Question;
Statement of Major Relevant Principles to be Applied;
Analysis and Application of Principles;
Recommendation; and,
References Page