Assignment:GOVERNMENT SEMESTER PROJECT/PAPER INSTRUCTIONS
Overview:
The El Paso Community College, as a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), requires that this course contain a project-based grade component known as the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The College has adopted "Learning about the community as a community" as its QEP theme. This project/research paper will meet the QEP requirement by requiring you to become engaged in the community through policy research, political engagement and/or service learning. Specifically, you may choose from any of the following three options:
(1) Select a policy problem that is relevant to the community and conduct community-based research (ie. a survey, interviews, etc.) in order to propose a solution.
1. Project Proposal - A one-page description of your semester project which should follow guidelines below.
Guidelines For Project Proposals
All project proposals should be double spaced, using appropriate grammar, punctuation, and document formatting and should demonstrate a well-organized plan for conducting the research throughout the semester. Required components should include the below:
(1) Topic - What will your project be about? This should be in the form of a research question.
(2) Thesis - An appropriate thesis with the background of the topic, initial hypothesis as to predicted research results, and a stated objective as to the purpose of the research project and its proposed outcomes.
(3) Project Design - Should specifically describe how the research will be conducted and organized, describing components of the research, methods used to collect data and/or investigate the problem, and a brief description of the evaluation and recommendations which will be included in the project.
(4) Product - A discussion of the final project and its components. What will your final product be? What components will be included? How will the results be discussed and/or distributed?
I. An annotated bibliography in either MLA or APA format which describes pertinent research on your project. This should include 10-15 research sources, which may include pertinent newspaper/magazine articles, appropriate Internet research (using Library databases and NOT just Google, Yahoo, Cha Cha, ask.com, etc.) and/or a list of community resources/agencies related to your project. Since this is an ANNOTATED bibliography, each resource should be followed by a one-paragraph description/summary (3-5 sentences). If you need additional help on how to do an annotated bibliography,
Please go to: https://www.epcc.edu/tutorialservices/valleverde/Documents/Annotated_Bibliography.pdf
You can get more information about specific formats at: https://www.epcc.edu/Library/Pages/CitingandTutorials.aspx.
Note: For our purposes, the annotated bibliography should be submitted with the final paperbut should be prepared well in advance of the final due date, as this document will assist you in planning and composing your final project paper.
II. A final paper of approximately five-pages in length (three pages if reporting on community engagement or service-learning). Your paper should include the following:
a. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - A one-paragraph description of your project / community engagement activity.
b. INTRODUCTION/THESIS - If a social policy paper, explain the social problem, if an agency or community engagement, tell me where you volunteered and why you chose this agency.
c. BACKGROUND LITERATURE/INFORMATION - If a social policy paper, this should include current research regarding your problem from reliable sources. If this is a community engagement / volunteer paper, a description and appropriate background information on the agency should be discussed here.
d. RESEARCH METHODS/PROCEDURES - Should include a discussion of specific research (ie. interviews, surveys, etc.) that you conducted if this is a policy paper. If this is a volunteer/community engagement paper, this should include a complete description of all activities conducted during your contact period with this agency.
e. RESEARCH FINDINGS - Should include a discussion of important information you discovered during your research. What have you learned?
f. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLIC POLICY - This should contain recommendations, suggestions, etc. for public policy. What can we do to correct a social problem if this is a policy paper? How does this agency benefit the community? If this is a community engagement project.
Attachment:- A SAMPLE PROJECT.docx