Research Paper Instructions
For this assignment, you will
prepare a concise research paper on a topic or question of interest to you
related to any aspect of operations or supply chain management. Use the
prescribed textbook’s table of contents to get ideas for topical areas that
might interest you to pursue further research.
Important – After selecting a topic
of interest, coordinate your topical selection with your Instructor before proceeding
with the paper. Use the Digital Drop Box to notify your Instructor of your
chosen topic and to obtain concurrence. This needs to be accomplished by the
end of the second week of this course to allow sufficient time to gather
authoritative resources and to write the research paper.
You must provide documented
objective evidence (i.e., evidential support) from the published literature to
augment and support your research paper. Your double-spaced document should be
at least ten (10) pages, but not to exceed fifteen (15) pages of content (not
counting any title page, abstract page, table of contents, or your list of
resources at the end of the document).
You should provide a
minimum of eight (8) authoritative resources from the published literature.
Obviously, you can cite and reference the prescribed textbook: Operations Management: Processes and Supply
Chains as one of your required resources.
Prepare your research
paper using APA format for your in-text parenthetical citations and your
References list of sources at the end of your document. There are many online
resources to help you with correct formatting, so please ensure that your
parenthetical citations and list of sources are properly formatted.
Note: APA is the only
acceptable formal writing format. Do NOT submit MLA, Chicago, or Turabian
writing styles as they are unacceptable.
Your research paper
should consist of:
•
An abstract or an executive summary of the
materials to be presented in the document
•
A transitional introductory section
•
A literature review of the available published
literature on your chosen topic (from your scholastic research on the topic)
•
An analysis or discussion section – here you
may provide personal perspectives and experiential learning from the workplace,
as appropriate, in addition to materials from your chosen resources
•
A conclusion section including any future
prospects, areas for further research, or probable evolution of your chosen
topic
•
A complete list of all resources used in the
research paper (APA calls this “References”).
Your chosen research topic and your list of
proposed references needto be submitted by Sunday, at 11:59 PM ET of Week 2. Use the
Digital Drop Box to upload your topic and proposed list of references (also
known in research as an annotated bibliography). This part of the assignment
should be no longer than two (2) pages.
There is no
grade or point value, but you must complete this research topic/annotated
references step prior to completing your formal research paper.
Your
completed research paper is due by Sunday, at 11:59 PM ET of Week 7.
Upload it in Week 7 using the Digital Drop Box provided.
