SENIOR PROJECT

The following template should be used to delineate and identify the various portions of the Senior Project as well as it gives the student an APA formatted model to follow.
(1) Title Page. This needs to be in APA format with the exception that the student will list in the upper left hand corner of the Title Page the student’s name, title of the project, the major, and the date submitted. Make sure that it has a page number in the upper right corner and it is marked as “1”.
(2) Executive Summary or Abstract. This will be the second page and serves as a comprehensive summary of the main contents of the article. It should be no more than 1 page or so and it should identify to the reader the main salient points of the paper, the problem, and the solution. Write this last. Remember, for an Abstract, there is no indentation.
(3) Table of Contents (Optional). This will be the third page. Make sure this is in APA format. It is suggested that the Table of Contents not be written until you have your final draft done so you know which page items to reference. Follow this template as identified.
(4) Introduction and Problem Identification. This section is critical as it all allows for an adequate introduction to the broader points that surround the problem as well as it allows the writer a chance to identify the problem the writer is seeking to “fix”. Here is how you want to do this. First, make the Introduction (centered of course) as the first section of this part of your paper. You will want to write a paragraph or two about the company or issues as you begin to introduce the problem. Then, I want you to create a sub paragraph (flush left of course) that is titled: Problem Statement. In this subsection, you will clearly and succinctly, describe what the problem is that you are writing your paper on. A sentence or two should be sufficient. Then, the next subsection will be titled Background in which you will give us the background to the company, the problem, industry issues, national and international issues, etc. Finally, you need to round this out with another subsection, which is known as the Literature Review. This is where the student identifies and discusses outside and even internal literature from a wide variety of academic andprofessional sources (peer reviewed) that are germane to the subject at hand. This forces the student to check a variety of sources to include professional journals, white papers, and other such items. A web site does not constitute necessarily, a source to be brought into this section. However, in many cases, identification of the source document would work in this section. Remember, this is not a master’s dissertation but it is a research-driven paper. Please, treat it accordingly.
(5) Discussion. This is a crucial section in which the student accomplishes analysis of all the data and information brought forth in the literature search as well as from other sources. Essentially, the student is synthesizing data and information that both provides form and substance about the problem as well as sets the tone for recommendations that will follow. Here, such things as quantitative analysis, strategic analysis, financial analysis, technological impacts, marketing, etc., and the like could be addressed here as part of this section. NOTE: many students use this section to “quote statistics” to eliminate the need to do any quantitative analysis. While “quoting statistics” is a useful tool, it does not replace the need to accomplish strong quantitative analysis.
(6) Courses-Of-Action (COA). Title this section this way in order for you not confuse yourself or the reader on recommendations. This section serves as the possible recommendations that have presented themselves in the analysis as possible solutions to “fix the problem”. You are required to present at least two [2]. It might be a good idea to go into enough detail about each COA so that when you move to the next section, the reader understands all the parameters, risks, benefits, and other business issues associated with each COA. This helps the student identify the best solution that is contained in the next section.
(7) Recommendation. This is the one COA the student picked that will solve the problem and a discussion on why. Here, cost-benefit analysis and other tools are used to identify “the why” and should be convincing enough to show a reader the “fix” of the problem.
(8) Implementation Strategy. In this part, you will spell out an implementation plan for the “fix” that you have identified. You might also identify or reiterate potential benefits, a timeline, and other useful information that will help in the implementation of your recommendation. In essence, you are telling the reader “how to do it.”
(9) Conclusion. This is where the student writes a short conclusion to the paper, summarizing some key information and the like. This is the “closure” to the paper and the project.
(10) References. You will show all of your referenced works in the paper in APA format in this section. The only exceptions are personal interviews, which are identified, in the main text but not in the references. You must have at least ten [10] separate references. The internet and textbooks are not considered acceptable references. That does not mean you cannot use them, but they should be limited to no more than 10% of your references listed. In addition, “personal communications” is not a reference. They are cited in the body of the text but not in the reference section.
(11) Appendices and Tables. This is where you will items that are not included in the main body but provide support and are talked about in the main body. Include a copy of your rubric matrix in here. In addition, items like calculations, examples of products, etc. would be appropriate.
(12) Length. The final paper must be 15 – 20 pages in length, excluding the cover page, executive summary/abstract, references, etc. If the paper is less than 15 pages, odds are, you did not do enough work on it. Papers may be longer than 20 pages but make sure your subject is reasonable. After all, you are not “solving world hunger”.

KEY ITEMS TO CONSIDER AND MAKE SURE YOU COVER IN THE PROJECT
It is strongly recommended that the student approach this project as if they are presenting to senior management or a client who may be interested in the outcome presented in the paper. That is why all areas of your major PLUS all business areas (finance, accounting, statistics, marketing, etc.) are to be integrated into your paper. While this is as much an academic exercise, it also could have “real world” implications. Check out the rubric available under the DOC Sharing tab in the online course room. You can use the last page of this handout to show me exactly where you believe you are covering rubric items. This prevents me from guessing as to if you meant a specific sentence or paragraph to address the “business ethics” or “global social responsibility” expectation.

However, there are some things that the student needs to make sure that are covered in the
process to meet the Senior Project objectives. They are covered in the Senior Project Guidelines for your major. Listed below are items the student should check for as they prepare their project:

(1) Are you following APA formats for all items except where noted?
(2) Did you list a “Running Head” showing the student’s last name and page number in the upper right corner of the paper? (This is a variation of the normal APA process).
(3) Are your margins and other items such as punctuation and grammar correct and within proper APA format?
(4) Did you follow the template and identify the template items within the body of the paper?
(5) Did you cover all the items located in the grading rubric?
(6) Did you either identify an issue with the assistance of the organizational contact or identify an issue, need, situation, or problem common throughout the industry? Be careful on this one as a student will need to accomplish a strong industrial analysis, as you would want companies within a particular industry to adopt your “fix”.
(7) Did you identify “what is broken” and what is the “fix”? Does it make sense from a business perspective?
(8) Appendices. Did you show calculations or other in-depth information that cannot be placed within the body of the text but is cross-referenced in the body of the paper? This section, if one is necessary, follows the reference page. Tables, not placed in the body of the text, should be placed here.