04 Oct Professional Topic Research Paper Assignment
1. The goal of this research project is for students to learn more about international accounting standards. Professional Topic Research Paper Assignment: The purpose of this assignment is for students to research and learn about current topics/issues in international accounting. Students will identify topics in international accounting (Textbook TOC could be used to identify topic), research more about the chosen topic, and write an APA paper on their findings. The discussion and analysis of the paper must be at least 6 pages (the cover page, outline, and reference page are not part of the 6 pages).
2. The research topic selection must be posted to the assigned proposal topic assignment discussion thread by the end of the first Module.
The research must be conducted using peer-reviewed trade, online CPA journals, accounting organizations, academic journals, and other reliable online resources. While Blogs, Wikipedia, encyclopedias, popular magazines, newspaper articles, online websites, etc. are helpful for providing background information, these resources MAY NOT suitable resources for this research assignment. However, it depends on topic selection. It is important to double check with teaching faculty.
Please Note: The Library staffs are very helpful with assisting students in using the Online Library journal database. Please contact them if you have issues.
Assignment Requirements:
1. Choose a research topic by the end of Module 1
2. Research/find a minimum of at least 10 different peer-reviewed journal articles on your topic from the University Library online business database. Online reliable resources can be used as well. It is important to check with faculty, if you are not sure about your resources.
3. The article(s) must be current/published within the last five (5) years. (The one exception is for the accounting history of chosen topic – hard to find current articles on the accounting history).
4. Write a 6 pages double spaced paper in APA format discussing the findings on your specific topic in your own words. Note – paper length does not include cover page, outline, and references page. Students cannot use quotation marks for this short research project.
5. Structure your paper as follows (Please review the course syllabus for due date of each section below). This is just a sample structure. Teaching faculty will provide feedback and observation for each section accordingly.
a. Cover page
b. Outline/table of contents
c. Introduction section
d. Discussion section: students must integrate resources fully and support the discussion with in-text citation.
e. Conclusion
f. References
6. Below are weekly schedules and requirements.
Module 1:
Research Assignment: Students must review the research assignment requirements and post a potential research project topic to share with faculty by the conclusion of this Module. Post the Topic in the dropbox under Activities – Assignments. This is not graded, but failure to submit the topic on time will reduce the final grade by 5 points.
Module 2:
Research Assignment:
At this point, students should have established a concrete topic for the research project. During this Module, students must conduct research thoroughly. It is imperative for students to communicate with faculty on a regular basis with their progress during the duration of this Module. This is where teaching faculty provides supports during the duration of this project. The initial outline is due by the end of this Module. Post the outline in the dropbox under Activities – Assignments. This is not graded, but failure to submit the outline on time will reduce the final grade by 5 points.
Module 5:
By the end of this Module, students should post a draft of the research project to the dropbox. This is the last observation and review for improvements. The draft paper is not graded, you will not lose points if you do not submit a draft, however it is encouraged so you can get feedback on the paper. The draft should be submitted to the dropbox under Activities – Assignments.
Module 6:
During the duration of this Module, students should work on the revision of their revision draft after they have received feedbacks from teaching faculty. Students are encouraged to upload the second draft to the research assignment draft Dropbox to check for APA issues by the end of this Module. Students must download the Turnitin report and make changes to each matching for the discussion section of the research project. Students should ignore the matching of the cover page and the reference pages of the project. Most importantly, each matching of the discussion section must be less than 3 percent. No quotation mark usages are allowed for this research project. If students have questions, it is important to post questions within the assigned research discussion thread. The final copy of the research project is due by the end of Module 7.
Rubric – Writing Assignments Rating:
Exceptional corresponds to a grade of A- to A (90-100). Performance is outstanding, significantly above the usual expectations.
Proficient corresponds to a grade of B- to B+ (80-89%). Skills and standards are at the level of expectation.
Basic corresponds to a grade of C (75-79%). Skills and standards are acceptable, but improvements are needed to meet expectations well.
Insufficient/Missing corresponds to a grade of F (below 75%). Performance is weak; the skills or standards are not sufficiently demonstrated at this time.
NOTE TO FACULTY: Compute a holistic score for each element by placing check marks in the appropriate boxes or compute an analytic score by assigning points for each element, following the percentages indicated with the assignment.
Elements
Criteria Ratings out of 100 points
Exceptional
90-100 %
90-100 points
Proficient
80-89 %
80-89 points Basic 75-79 %
75-79 points Insufficient
Below 75 %
Less than
75 points Missing 0 %
0 points
Knowledge/Und erstanding Shows depth and understanding of the subject
Thesis for paper is clearly identified and logically develops throughout the paper
Reasoning is sound, compelling, and well supported
Research
Peer-reviewed articles are selected and are appropriate for the paper topic
Articles are synthesized and integrated effectively
There is sufficient research cited to support arguments
New information from articles addresses similarities and differences with prior course readings and
individual’s prior knowledge
Writing Demonstrates evidence of level writing mechanics*
Minimum paper requirements (length, topic, research, integration of core values) are met
Minimum references are met
Follows APA formatting requirements
