Research Paper The research is based on a specific population other than one with which you identify and from a contemporary or historical public management or public policy perspective. Your topic must be approved in advance. As background for your research, review the module that covers the population that you are studying. Do not repeat the research and material in the module, rather do research that expands on the material in the module or addresses a different topic. Prepare a written research paper of 1,000 – 1,200 words with appropriate APA-style citations (references and attachments are exempt from the word count). Provide hyperlinks to all research sources if possible. This format develops your ability to effectively present research in narrative form, which is most common in academia, but with a length limitation that is more appropriate for the practitioner environment. Upload your paper as a Word document. Name your submission using your last name and the title of your work; e.g., Williams Native American Two-Spirit People. See Separate Instructions for your class presentation. Completion To successfully complete this assignment, you should fulfill these requirements: This research must be your own work and must be original for this class. Narrow the research topic by going deep rather than broad. Do not repeat the material in the course module. Write a professional research paper, not an advocacy paper. You are not advancing a thesis or position. You are conducting objective research, from which a public official could develop a position and policy. Examine as many sides or perspectives as you can. Include content from at least three researched-based sources, such as academic journals, government or foundation research, etc. (six for Ph.D. students). Supplement the research with material from books, professional associations, the news media, etc. Provide internal citations for all content that you use. Provide a reference list with APA citations and hyperlinks. Critically analyze your source material. Resource material will often advance a theory or position and may not be objective — either intentionally or unconsciously. Google the author and explore their biases. Question your sources and search for alternative perspectives. Seek diversity in your resources. While you may reference material in the course modules, do not replicate it. This assignment is intended to supplement the content in the modules. Wikipedia is not accepted as a source for graduate work. It can be useful to get started on a topic but go to the authoritative sources cited in Wikipedia and use them instead. Likewise, encyclopedias and the media — such as Public Television, which has excellent DEI materials — should be avoided as primary source material. Rubric On time and in the proper format. Effective and Thorough Narrow topic covered in depth Mastery of the topic demonstrated Integrates different source material around themes or major points Draws a direct connection to public management or public policy Accurate and Complete The content is factually correct Citations are provided that enable content to be confirmed easily Demonstrates objective research rather than advocacy
