Unit 5: Research Project Outline with Assignments

Evaluating conflicting points of view is often a necessary process in business and the professions. Often the results are presented in a report which summarizes the basic facts, analyzes the problem and then recommends appropriate action. This complete project--a summary, a proposal, a compare/contrast analysis, an outline, and a report--will lead you through the process to complete such a report.

In this project, you will research a controversial topic of your choice. In doing so, you will identify the main issues and different points of view. Your research can be on any controversial topic that has sufficient credible data that will allow you to objectively analyze the different points of view and to write an objective report on the topic. For example, you might want to consider some of the following controversies that are currently taking place--off-shore drilling in BC; the Kyoto Accord; the sale and/or internationalization of our resources, such as water, gas, oil, etc.; the General Agreement on Trades and Services (GATS) and its effects; the role of government in such controversies as rising gas prices--should the government step in? or in the exportation of terrorists; the privatization of education and healthcare; the changing role of Canada's military; the effect of urbanization on rural communities; the outsourcing of Canadian jobs and/or medicare--or choose another topic that your are interested in learning more about. These are broad topics, so you will have to make sure you narrow the focus of your topic to one that can be covered comprehensively in 1500 words.

When you prepare a summary report on the topic, you will be required to examine the arguments put forth by the different components involved in the controversy and identify terms that pertain to the topic which need clarification.

Now that you have learned the techniques to report technical information, you will put your new skills to the test. You will now complete the research project according to the time frame established in the Study Guide, the Course Schedule, and the Calendar. The following links will take you to more detailed descriptions of the assignments you are to complete for this research project. Please read them carefully:

Choose a controversial research topic, present a summary of your choice to the class in the Summaries conference, and write a proposal memo for your instructor.

Assignment B - Clarifying terms

Identify and list technical words that need to be clarified for correct interpretation of your subject area.

Assignment C- Evaluating points of view

Assignment D - Outline of a recommendation report

Assignment E - Research/Recommendation report or proposal for action

Take another look at the controversial topics identified above in the second paragraph of the introduction to these assignments for some ideas. Over the next few days, read local, regional and national newspapers and magazines, watch the news on TV and listen to it on the radio. You can also visit the website of the World Trade Organization (WTO), located at http://www.wto.org, where you will find links to several global controversies. Some of the issues raised at the World Peace Forum may also be of interest to you.. Make a list of the current controversial topics and select one that interests you.

Part 1 - Summary report

Prepare a brief summary (abot 150 words) on your chosen topic and present it to the class in the Summaries discussion. Your posting should include:

	an overview of the topic, including the issues, and
	the significance of the topic and to whom.

Part 2 - Proposal memo

Write a research proposal, in memo format, to your instructor. Your proposal should identify:

	the topic and the main issues,
	why this topic is significant,
	what additional information is needed to understand the issues, and
	where this information might be found.
	the time frame that you will use to complete the report
	a persuasive request for approval to write your report on the topic

Assignment B - Clarifying terms

In order to understand an argument, clarification of terms is often necessary. For example, in a report on drug abuse, the terms “drug” and “abuse” both need to be defined. What does the term “drug” mean? What is meant by the term “abuse”? Depending on the context, each of these terms can have a variety of meanings. Terms that are ambiguous or vague make an argument unclear. The next two activities will help you identify terms used in articles about your topic that need to be clarified:

Part 1 - Discussion

Take one of the articles you have selected for your topic and identify any terms which may require clarification (may be interpreted in several ways, are vague, etc.). Feedback from your virtual classmates to your Summary posting may help you identify words or phrases which need clarification or further definition. You may even choose a partner and exchange articles to identify words or phrases which need clarification or further definition. Use the following questions to guide your discussion with your partner:

	How many of the terms were defined in the articles?
	How many of them were defined by context?
	How many of the terms affected the point of view put forth?

Be prepared to explain to the class the terms you found problematic and why, when you give your oral presentation.

Part 2 - List

Prepare a list for your instructor of at least three terms used in your article that needed to be clarified. For each term, indicate why you think it needs further clarification. Be sure to identify the article for your instructor.

You may want to create a Glossary with these terms with their definitions to attach as an Appendix to your reports as needed.

Assignment C - Evaluating points of view

Evaluating the points of view presented in the articles is an important step in research. In a memo to your instructor, compare and contrast the points of view of two or three articles that will expose the controversy surrounding the subject of your research (Don't forget the ABC organization pattern in your memo). Identify the following:

	the problem(s) and/or issue(s) surrounding the topic,
	the similarities and differences presented, and
	the questions raised about the topic and where you could go to find answers.
	the sources

When evaluating the points of view, consider the use of facts, opinions, assumptions or judgments, and whether or not the author has any obvious biases. Complete this analysis in the body of you memo, using a compare/contrast organization pattern.

Use APA style to cite your in-text citations and list your sources in a References page.

Assignment D - Outline of a research/recommendation report

Prepare an outline or outline tree giving a brief overview of the issues involved in your topic. For each of the different points of view, cite the source, give the main argument and supporting points, and outline the key facts, supporting statistics and examples. Your outline should have an obvious pattern such as comparison/contrast, problem/solution, cause/effect, most important/least important, or past/present. To get you started you can use the essay outline form you were provided in Unit 2.

Assignment E - Research/Recommendation report or proposal for action

Your report or proposal should be about four single-spaced pages (1500 words) in length and organized according to one of the patterns noted in Assignment D. Include a title page and a table of contents in your report and use headings to help the reader follow your ideas. This report is to be set up as a formal report and should be accompanied with a transmittal letter addressed to your instructor when you submit it. You might find the following link helpfurl: https://weba.uwgb.edu/clampitp/OrgComm%2002/World%20Class%20Reports.doc.

To complete the report and bibliography, review the section on Referencing. You will use APA style to reference your sources.