Research Paper Instructions.
This paper will require you to apply organizational theories, concepts, and perspectives from the module readings.
Guidelines
Define your approved organization as you wish in terms of the whole or of the part that is most relevant. In 1-2 pages, provide a description of two to three problems identified. Your description need not be elaborate, but should provide enough information to enable someone unfamiliar with the organizational issues to understand the essentials. This portion should be just the facts, a description, not an analysis of the key events. If using a personal workplace, feel free to disguise names of people and the organization if you desire.
After you have set the foundation, apply theories learned from the course to analyze your chosen organization and its identified problems. Utilizing the three perspectives, ensure clarity is evident on areas of which system, organizational environment, and changes as part of your analysis.
Lastly, provide a personal perspective that discusses what you would implement to address the problems to move the organization forward as part of the evolving changes for organizations today.
Organizing Your Paper
The following is required for your completed research paper:
- The paper must be written using current APA format and must include a title page, an abstract, and a reference list. These are not included in the word count.
- The paper must have a minimum of 2,500 words and a maximum of 3,000 words.
- The paper must be submitted as a Word document (.doc), it will be checked in SafeAssign upon submission.
- First person narrative is not permitted.
- Do not use bullets or listing anywhere in the paper.
- The reference page must include a minimum of the following references in current APA format (all sources must be evident within the paper):
- Course textbook
- Scripture and Merida text
- Merida, T. (2015). Christ-centered exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group. ISBN: 9780805496703.
- 7 peer-reviewed scholarly sources
- Scott, W. R. (2015). Organizations and Organizing: Rational, Natural, and Open Systems Perspectives. London, England: Routledge. ISBN: 9780131958937
Note: For further questions regarding current APA format, visit Liberty University’s Online Writing Center.
Submit your paper to the appropriate link for grading by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 7.
Review the research paper rubric before submission.
Research Paper Grading Rubric
| Criteria | Levels of Achievement | |||
| Content 70% | Advanced | Proficient | Developing | Not present |
| Abstract | 10 points
The abstract articulates a clear and comprehensive overview of the paper. |
9 points
The abstract articulates some key components of the paper. |
1 to 8 points
The abstract less than clearly articulates key components of the paper. |
0 points
Not present. |
| Identification of Issues | 34 to 40 points
Presents articulate and detailed descriptions of the problems and issues central to the organization. Provides a well-focused diagnosis of strategic issues and key problems that demonstrate an excellent grasp of the situation and challenges; descriptions are compelling and insightful; provides a thorough and effective summary. |
26 to 33 points
With a few exceptions, identifies and outlines the principal problems and issues in the organization; demonstrates an acceptable understanding of the issues, situation, and challenges; summary provides an adequate overview of the case issues and problems. Summary is missing a few minor points, but meets expectations. |
1 to 25 points
Does not fully recognize the problems or identifies problems and issues that are not relevant; displays little understanding of the issues, key problems, the situation, and challenges. Summary does not present a clear overview of the case issues; the main points are not outlined, or cannot be understood. |
0 points
Not present. |
| Analysis and Evaluation | 40 to 50 points
Presents a balanced, in-depth, and critical assessment of the facts in light of relevant empirical and theoretical research; develops insightful and well-supported conclusions using reasoned, sound, and informed judgments. Application to theories and organizational analysis of issues from the course concepts is well evidenced. |
30 to 39 points
Provides an acceptable analysis of most of the issues and problems; in most instances, analysis is adequately supported by theory and empirical data; appropriate conclusions are outlined and summarized. Application to theories and organizational analysis from the course concepts is somewhat evidenced. |
1 to 29 points
Does not fully discuss the relevance of the facts; fails to draw conclusions, or conclusions are not justified or supported; does not fully present relevant research or data; shows no critical examination of issues. Application to theories and organizational analysis from the course concepts is not thoroughly applied. |
0 points
Not present. |
| Personal Perspective/Solutions | 50 to 60 points
Effectively weighs and assesses a variety of alternative actions that address the multiple issues central to the organization; proposes detailed plans of action; action plans are realistic and contain thorough and well-reasoned justifications. Various theories are well applied. |
40 to 49 points
Outlines and summarizes some alternative courses of action to deal with most of the issues and problems in the organization; in most instances, proposed action plans are outlined, are feasible, and based on relatively sound theory and evidence. Various theories are somewhat applied. |
1 to 39 points
Has difficulty identifying alternatives and appropriate courses of action; few, if any, alternatives are presented, infeasible actions are proposed, action plans are not supported, or actions do not address the key issues and problems in the organization. Various theories are not thoroughly applied. |
0 points
Not present. |
| Organization | 10 points
Very well organized. The narrative has clarity and includes strong, clear and varied transitions linking sub-topics and main topic. The narrative flows well throughout. |
9 points
Well organized. The narrative has clarity and flows logically, and includes transitions linking subtopics and the topic. The narrative may not always flow well at some points. |
1 to 8 points
Somewhat well organized, flows logically, and includes some attempts to provide a variety of transitions. The narrative may not flow well. |
0 points
Not present. |
| Structure 30% | Advanced | Proficient | Developing | Not present |
| APA Format (Cover page, references, margins, citations, pagination, headings, headers, abstract, etc.) | 23 points
Proper, current APA format is used. |
21 to 22 points
There are 1–2 current APA formatting errors present. |
1 to 20 points
There are 3–4 current APA formatting errors present. |
0 points
More than 4 current APA formatting errors are present. |
| Grammar and Spelling | 22 points
Proper spelling and grammar are used. |
21 points
There are 1–2 spelling and/or grammar errors present. |
1 to 20 points
There are 3–4 spelling and/or grammar errors present.
|
0 points
More than 4 spelling and/or grammar errors are present. |
| Length | 15 points
The submission is 2,500-3,000 words. |
13 to 14 points
The submission is 1,800–2,499 words. |
1 to 12 points
The submission is 1,000–1,799 words. |
0 points
The submission is under 1,000 words. |
| Sources | 16 to 20 points
The paper met or exceeded the required minimum amount of sources (the course textbook, the Bible, the Merida textbook, and 7 peer-reviewed scholarly sources). |
11 to 15 points
The paper includes some of the required sources (the course textbook, the Bible, the Merida textbook, and 2-3 peer-reviewed scholarly sources) but are not well integrated within the paper. |
1 to 10 points
The paper is missing most of the required sources (the course textbook, the Bible, the Merida textbook, and 1-2 peer-reviewed scholarly sources) and does not integrate them within the discussion. |
0 points
The paper does not include the adequate amount of research. |
