DBA 715
Major Research Paper Guidelines and Rubric
The Major Research Paper is a final project (20-25 pages of content) where you will select a course topic
that may be associated with your proposed dissertation topic. The paper should include a driving
research question and literature review. Make sure your focus is related to issues in the field of
Organizational Behavior (See listing of possible topics below). Your professor must approve your topic.
Your paper should do the following:
1. Identify and define the areas of your study and the fields of theory and research from
Organizational Behavior that make up the background of this area.
2. Evaluate the current methods in Organizational Behavior.
3. Identify how the field and current research might help improve the quality and productivity in an
organization.
4. Identify how the field and present research might lead to more socially-responsible behavior.
5. Indicate the future direction you believe the area of study should take (i.e., identify unresolved or
understudied questions, make suggestion for theory development and possible streams of
research) and explain why you think your observations might be true?
6. Identify and analyze major business trends that have or could have a significant impact on your
area of concentration. Use current research to support your analysis. Explain if and how
answering your research question addresses these trends.
7. Your paper should be from 20-25 pages in length excluding the cover page, table of contents,
executive summary, and reference section. Standard APA format is required.
Some possible topics for the research paper might include:
a. Organizational and Social Justice
b. Organizational Commitment
c. The Human Side of Innovation Management
d. Role of Emotions in Organizations
e. Organizational Theory & Design
f. Corporate Social Responsibility in Industries
g. The Role of Job Satisfaction Relating to Organizational Performance
h. What styles of Leadership Should be Used for Maximum Organizational Effectiveness
i. Managing Teams in Global Organizations
j. Are There Dangers to Having Too Much Diversity on a Team and How Should One Best Manage
a Diverse Team?
The Major Research Paper Question is due in Module 2.
The Major Research Paper is due in Module 7. (This is linked to Turnitin.)
Points Associated with LOM Code No Paper 1-74 75-82 83-94 95-100
Scores of “Excellent” in each section serve as evidence of achieving the Saint Leo University Core Value
of EXCELLENCE through comprehensively researched and scholarly written assignments.
Category Weight Excellent Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
Paper Content (80%)
Introduction/Thesis
(10%)
Score: __%
Captures reader’s attention,
previews main ideas. Offers a
compelling argument. Provides
specific topic overview.
States the theme of the
paper; captures reader’s
attention. Provides a
general topic overview.
No discernable
introduction. No thesis
statement.
Evidence (10%)
Score: __%
Research presented is
authoritative; compelling,
scholarly; and well supported.
Research is authoritative
& compelling but more
professionally oriented
or web-based.
Uses poor or
unsupported resources.
Body
Structure/Flow
(20%)
Score: __%
Main ideas and arguments
clearly presented and
supported in well-developed
paragraphs. Excellent balance
of paper sections.
Main ideas presented,
but paper lacks clarity
and focus and/or does
not flow well.
Confusing ideas
presented. Poor balance
of paper sections.
Analysis,
Synthesis, &
Evaluation (30%)
Score: __%
Determines most important
points in material. Combines
numerous concepts to develop
new ideas. Compares,
contrasts, and/or appraises
ideas, procedures, and
solutions in literature.
Discovers some
important points.
Combines at least two
concepts. Shows some
signs of evaluation.
Relates unimportant
information. Lacks
synthesis of concepts.
Does not evaluate ideas,
procedures, or solutions.
Conclusion (10%)
Score: __%
Summarizes content and
provides ideas for future
research.
Summarizes paper
content.
No discernable
conclusion.
Content Total: __%
Paper Style (20%)
Grammar/Spelling
(5%)
Score: __%
No errors in usage. Few minor errors in
usage.
Frequent errors in
usage.
Paper Length (5%)
Score: __%
Appropriate length. Within 17-19 pages. Fewer than 18 pages.
APA Style (10%)
Score: __%
All sources accurately
documented in APA; accurate
reference page; effective use of
headers/sub headers.
Some APA citation
errors; references mostly
accurate; minor paper
formatting errors.
Sources are not
documented; numerous
APA errors; no reference
list or headers.
Style Total: __%
LEARNING OUTCOME MANAGER (LOM) CODE 0 1 2 3 4
Final Grade: _____%