The Research Paper is designed to provide students with an opportunity to conduct balanced group research and analysis of a type related to a health financing/reimbursement issue. It is expected that the final version of the paper will contain an interpretation of the industry implications of the selected topic from a health services management/practice perspective. The intent of the paper is for students to develop and polish writing skills appropriate in non-academic settings (i.e., brief, logical, well-researched, factual summaries of broad, complex topics).
The topic of the paper (one paragraph) should be submitted for approval to the instructor no later than October 26, 2017.
The final paper will be submitted on or before November 16, 2017 via Blackboard. No paper will not be accepted after the due date. The text of the paper cannot exceed five (5) pages (doubled spaced, using APA format) and the overall length of the paper, including notes, tables, references etc., cannot exceed fifteen (15) pages. The criteria (equally weighted) for grading the paper can be available on blackboard.
Research Paper: Writing Rubric
| Written Assignment Grading Criteria | |||
| Grade | Content, Focus, Use of Text/Research | Analysis and Critical Thinking | Presentation, Writing Style, Grammar, APA Format |
| 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| A | Research Paper successfully addresses the topic; thoroughly uses the text and other literature. | Response exhibits strong higher-order critical thinking and analysis (e.g., evaluation). | Presentation and sentences are clear, concise, and direct; tone is appropriate. Grammatical skills are strong with almost no errors per page. Correct use of APA format when assigned. |
| B | Research Paper addresses the assignment topic with only minor digressions; sufficiently uses the text and other literature. | Response generally exhibits higher-order critical thinking and analysis (e.g., true analysis). | Presentation and sentences are generally clear, concise, and direct; tone is appropriate. Grammatical skills are competent with very few errors per page. Correct use of APA format when assigned. |
| C | Research Paper addresses the assignment topic with some digression; sufficiently uses the text and other literature. | Response exhibits limited higher-order critical thinking and analysis (e.g., application of information). | Presentation and sentences are occasionally wordy or ambiguous; tone is too informal. Grammatical skills are adequate with few errors per page. Adequate use of APA format when assigned. |
| D | Research Paper addresses the assignment topic but digresses significantly; insufficiently uses the text and other literature. | Response exhibits simplistic or reductive thinking and analysis but does demonstrate comprehension. | Presentation and sentences are generally wordy and/or ambiguous; tone is too informal. Grammatical skills are inadequate, clarity and meaning are impaired, numerous errors per page. Inadequate use of APA format when assigned. |
