A Research Guide Structured paper

What to Submit

1. A Research Guide Structured paper

a. Title Page

• Running head: uppercase research title (no more than 50 characters)
• Research Title (Narrowed focus determined from the main topic selected)
• Individual/Group Members names
• Course information
• Professor’s Information

b. Blank page

c. Abstract

One paragraph describing the research to be conducted

Keywords: max 5

d. Blank page

e. Table of Contents

f. Chapter 1

Introduction

• Include 1 paragraph as the introduction (no subheading)
• Problem statement
• Include 1 paragraph describing the problem you plan to research
• Expand on this section to include a detailed explanation of the problem supported by literature sources
• Relevance and significance
• Include 1 paragraph describing the research goal
• Expand on this section to further highlight the significance of the
• research.
• Who will be impacted and how will they benefit from your research
• Solution
• Research questions
• Add no more than 2 research questions as they relate to your research focus

g. Chapter 2

Review

• This section requires that you review at least 5 peer-reviewed literature sources

used in the research.

• For each of the 5 articles, write a paragraph each for the following sections
• Description of the research including who the target population was (if available)
• Research Method used to conduct the research (describe what the researcher(s) did to gather data for the research)
• Was survey distributed? How many questions? How many participants
• Was it a focus group? Was it a case study
• Be explicit
• Findings: Indicate the findings as reported in the article
• Conclusion: What was the conclusion of the research

**You are required to do this for each of the 5 articles**. Citation is critical as you report/review

the articles

DO NOT add the APA reference at the beginning of each article review in Chapter 2. Be sure

to add to them to the References page

h. Chapter 3

Research Methodology

• Since you will not be conducting a “real” research study that would require you go

into the field, your research methodology should be a Comparative Analysis

• Describe how you plan to address your research problem and accomplish your stated

goal

• In this section, elaborate on all of the issues pertaining to the problem statement

described in Chapter 1

• Based on the literature, highlight the impact on organizations, people or any

population.

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages

i. Chapter 4

Findings, Analysis, and Summary

Chapter 4 includes an objective description and analysis of the findings, results or outcomes of the research. Limit the use of charts, tables, figures to those that are needed to support the narrative. Most of these illustrations can be included as part of the Appendixes.

The following topics are intended to serve as a guide:
Data analysis
Findings & discussion
Analysis
Summary of results & discussion

j. Chapter 5

Conclusion

Conclusions – Clearly state the conclusions of the study based on the analysis performed and results achieved. Indicate by the evidence or logical development the extent to which the specified objectives have been 6 accomplished. If the research has been guided by hypotheses, make a statement as to whether the data supported or rejected these hypotheses. Discuss alternative explanations for the findings, if appropriate. Delineate strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the study.
Implications – Discuss the impact of the work on the field of study and its contributions to knowledge and professional practice. Discuss implications for future research.
Recommendations – Present recommendations for future research or for changes in research methods or theoretical concepts. As appropriate, present recommendations for changes in academic practice, professional practice, or organizational procedures, practices, and behavior.

k. References

• Include at least 5 peer-reviewed journal references
• Must be as per APA
• NO websites

Follow the most current version of APA to format your references. However, each reference should be singlespaced with a double space between each cited entry. Make sure that every citation is referenced and every reference is cited.

Note: As per APA:

The format of the outline must include the following

1. Page numbers

a. Front Matter pages: Use Roman numerals – Place in the lower, bottom section of

page – See page 8 of the CU Research Guide

b. Chapters to Reference pages: Use English numbers – Place in the upper right

corner of page

2. Page headings

a. Front Matter pages and References page:

i. headings should be centered, bold, Times New Roman; 12 pts

b. Chapters – heading should be centered, NOT BOLD, Times New Roman; 14 pts

3. Sub headings: should be left aligned, bold, Times New Roman; 12 pts

4. Table of Contents – See page 10 of the CU Research Guide for an example

5. Citations must be as per APA

6. References must be as per APA