MBA 6400 Research Paper
Economic & Financial Environment of Business
Each student will be required to complete an original 8-10-page research paper (NOT including title page, abstract and references) to complete the course. Each student must submit his or her topic statement to the instructor before beginning research. The research paper must address: (1) a significant problem, question or issue bearing on U.S. financial markets and institutions, (2) research that demonstrates the validity and applicability of the problem, question or issue in the field, (3) a solution to the problem, question or issue or, if no solution is available, a discussion of alternatives that may be utilized and (4) at least ten relevant sources from primary-source documents or reports, peer-reviewed journals or equivalent materials with substantive academic value, cited in the text and identified as references. The research paper must adhere to APA style in all respects. The paper must be submitted on time.
Evaluation
Criteria
Unsatisfactory
7.0
Marginal
7.75
Satisfactory
8.50
Good
9.25
Exemplary
10.0
Competency
and
Knowledge
Paper demonstrates lack of awareness of U.S. financial market and institutional issues inability to critically evaluate simple financial issues.
Paper demonstrates limited awareness of U.S. financial market and institutional issues limited ability to critically evaluate simple financial issues.
Paper demonstrates developing awareness of U.S. financial market and institutional issues emerging ability to critically evaluate simple financial issues.
Paper demonstrates a high level of awareness of U.S. financial markets and institutions an average level of ability to critically evaluate complex financial issues.
Paper demonstrates a high level of awareness of U.S. financial markets and institutions a high level of ability to critically evaluate complex financial issues.
Students will be able to frame a research question.
Did not develop a research question. No identification of key concepts, synonyms, or related terms that describe the information needed.
Developed a vague research question or thesis statement. Identifies few key concepts, synonyms, or related terms that describe the information needed.
Developed a general research question or thesis statement. Identifies obvious key concepts, synonyms, or related terms that describe the information needed..
Developed a clear research question or thesis statement. Identifies key concepts, synonyms, or related terms that describe the information needed.
Developed a focused research question or thesis statement. Thoroughly identifies relevant key concepts, synonyms, and related terms that describe the information needed.
Students will understand research and academic ethical issues affecting the use of information.
No understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Possesses no knowledge of copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Does not use APA style for citing and referencing sources.
Incomplete understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Possesses little knowledge of copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Minimal use of APA style for citing and referencing sources with many errors.
Basic understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Possesses knowledge of copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Uses APA style for citing and referencing sources with some errors.
Clear understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Observes copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Uses APA style for citing and referencing sources with few errors.
Thorough understanding of issues concerning plagiarism (proper paraphrasing, quoting, and citing of information sources). Consistently observes copyright laws regarding print and online sources. Consistently uses APA style for citing and referencing sources with no errors.
Students will be able to use technology to communicate information.
Paper formatting indicates little skill in word processing applications. Many errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and/or spacing. No use of spell and grammar check, excessive errors found.
Paper formatting indicates basic skill in word processing applications. Several errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and/or spacing. Minimal use of spell and grammar check, many errors found.
Paper formatting indicates competence with word processing applications. Some errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and/or spacing. Use of spell and grammar check, some errors found.
Paper formatting indicates proficiency with word processing applications. Few errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and/or spacing. Obvious use of spell and grammar check, few errors found.
Paper formatting indicates expertise with word processing applications. No errors in formatting of title page, headers, pagination, margins, headings, and spacing. Obvious use of spell and grammar check, no errors found.
Organization
No transition between paragraphs, ideas not in logical order. No structure to paragraphs.
Some transition with poor paragraph structure and some evidence of planning
Transition between most paragraphs with limited paragraph structure. Sequence is not logical.
Smooth transition between paragraph with adequate structure and sequencing of ideas.
Well developed paragraphs. Sequencing enhances ideas and meaning. Ideas focused on central theme.
Development
Does not follow the theme with muddles unclear ideas.
Few idea address central theme. Ideas ramble and are difficult to identify.
Ideas are clear. Some ideas address the central theme. Central theme is linked to the topic.
Central theme is matched to the topic, most ideas explore the central theme, clear and unified.
Ideas focus on the central theme. All ideas are clearly presented and unified.
Conventions
Multiple errors
-sentence structure
-capitalization
-grammar
-presentation
-general structure
4-5 errors
-sentence structure
-capitalization
-grammar
-presentation
-general structure
2-3 errors
-sentence structure
-capitalization
-grammar
-presentation
-general structure
1 error
-sentence structure
-capitalization
-grammar
-presentation
-general structure
No errors noted.
APA Style
Several errors in:
-cover page
-in text citations
-reference page
-general format
4-5 errors
-cover page
-in text citations
-reference page
-general format
2-3 errors
-cover page
-in text citations
-reference page
-general format
1 error
-cover page
-in text citations
-reference page
-general format
No errors noted.
Submittal
Four or more days late
Three days late
Two days late
One day late
By submittal date