Human Resources Research Paper: Selecting a Topic and Writing a Paper

Online Training Modules

Working individually students will write a short research paper related to human resources. The purpose of this Individual research paper is for students to critically examine a human resources topic and to:
Better understand the research and essay writing process (including how to select a good research question).
Gain expertise in locating and interpreting a variety of sources, including peer reviewed academic literature, and develop citation skills. 
Enhance critical thinking.
Strengthen planning and time management skills. 
Build a strong foundation for writing research papers.
 
Overview
This assignment has several parts with due dates throughout the term, each will earn you marks toward the final mark on your paper. See due dates for each on page 2. 
1.Students will complete 2 online training modules discussing academic literature, where to find sources, how to select a strong research topic, and how to write a research paper or essay. The successful completion of these two modules will be worth 5% of your total paper grade.  
2.Based on what students have learned from the module and the broad topics provided by their instructor, students will submit a short research paper proposal. This will include: a cover page, the research question, a bullet point outline for the paper, and 2 sample sources listed in APA format. This proposal is worth 10% of your final paper grade. Students will receive feedback from their instructors on their topics, outline, quality of their sources, and APA citation. Please see the example proposal provided.
3.Students will submit a completed/final paper that meets the following specifications. 
a.Use APA format (cover page, 1-inch margins, 12-point font, Calibri or Times New Roman)
b.Be 3 - 4 pages long (excluding references and cover page)
c.Include an introduction, body, and conclusion 
d.Sources: this assignment requires 6 sources, of which 4 are peer-reviewed scholarly sources. The remaining sources must be credible (e.g., government websites, Harvard Business Review).  More than 6 sources are always acceptable provided they are credible and contribute value to the research. All sources should be published in the last 5 years (or since June 2016). 
e.Critically examine your topic, synthesizing your findings from sources.
f.Utilize proper APA citation, both in text and on the reference page.

Broad Subject Areas
Based on what students have learned in the online modules regarding choosing a strong research topic, students will select a topic from one of the broad subject areas below. Be sure your topic is sufficiently focused and should be of interest. You are not allowed to use the examples provided to you in Module 1.
Labour relations and employment legislation (e.g., a specific topic within Occupational Health and Safety legislation, Labour Relations legislation, Rights legislation, Employment Standards legislation)
Recruitment and Selection
Employee Training and Development
Employee Recognition and Rewards

Important Information
This assignment is worth 25% of the student’s final course grade.   
Instructors will be marking the quality and professionalism of the writing, the adherence to source material, and the quality of applying the course concepts. The quality of your writing, not just your content, will influence your mark. See the attached marking rubric for more specific details. 
Review this assignment in its entirety to ensure you fully understand the requirements.  If you have questions, please ask your instructor.