Details:
Individual Research Paper Guidelines
The different types of research can be classified as Theoretical, Empirical, and Evaluation. Theoretical research is focused on explaining phenomena through the logical analysis and synthesis of theories, principles, and the results of other forms of research such as empirical studies. Empirical research is focused on testing conclusions related to theories. Evaluation research is focused on a particular program, product or method, usually in an applied setting, for the purpose of describing, improving, or estimating its effectiveness and worth.
Research methods are broadly classified as Quantitative and Qualitative.
Quantitative research includes experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, and other methods that primarily involve collection of quantitative data and its analysis using inferential statistics such as t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analysis.
Qualitative research includes observation, case studies, diaries, interviews, and other methods that primarily involve the collection of qualitative data and its analysis using grounded theory and ethnographic approaches. The Case Study method provides a way of studying human events and actions in their natural surroundings. It captures people and events as they appear in their daily circumstance. It can offer a researcher empirical and theoretical gains in understanding phenomena.
You, as an adult learner, bring a wealth of expertise to your studies. This knowledge and skills should be used to formulate a research paper that raises new questions, new possibilities, and regards existing problems from a new angle. Effective research compares, contrasts, analyzes, evaluates, synthesizes, and integrates information rather than simply reports it. It should contains references to and examples of various theorists, theories, ideas, philosophies, being compared and contrasted as well as synthesized and integrated within your work. The research paper must demonstrate scholarly treatment of the material that the student has selected for further study. It goes without saying that the research paper must be free of spelling and grammatical errors. References must be cited correctly using APA style.
Research studies must include a Breadth and Depth components. In the Breadth component, you should demonstrate familiarity with broad theoretical and conceptual topic area and provide an overview of major theories, theorists, and schools of thought. The Depth section should promote understanding of latest research and build on theory presented in the Breadth section; it should be designed to foster greater depth, development and detail in examination of one or more aspects that has already been introduced.
Checklist
While developing the Research Paper, the following questions should be used as a checklist:
Does the research deal with significant and meaningful problem that lends itself to a substantial research effort?
Is there a justification that demonstrates why the problem is worth studying?
Is it clear who or what will be aided by research findings?
Will the findings provide a basis for generalized conclusions or have practical applicability?
Is the purpose of the research expressed clearly?
Is the research question or hypotheses stated concisely and explicitly? Does it logically flow from the problem?
Are limitations of the study identified with recognition of their consequences?
Are technical terms well defined? Are definitions clear and unambiguous?
Is the theoretical framework related to previous research? Is previous work on the topic critically appraised?
Is the research informed by primary sources of theories, concepts, principles and models in the field, and are they referred to specifically?
Are methods of data collection appropriately explained?
Is data analysis complete and presented logically?
Are conclusions and recommendations useful and tied to findings?
Details on the Individual Research Paper:
1. Length and Style: The body of an analytic research paper should be at least 10 pages in length (but not more than 12 pages) and typed using the APA Guide. Student projects distill fundamental issues, discuss the various available solutions, discuss the benefits and limitations of the available solutions, and provide a new solution and justification. Student papers must state a thesis, and based on the research, attempt to prove or disprove that thesis. An adequate literature search will include a few books and journal articles (or other relevant documents). A search of Internet documentation is required. Students should develop a conclusion which synthesizes the literature in such a way as to demonstrate new knowledge.
Guidelines for the format of the paper are as follows:
The paper should be 10-12 pages of text in length. (This minimum and maximum length should not include the title page, separate figures and tables, or the list of references);
The paper should include a one paragraph abstract, an introduction, and a conclusion – think as if you were writing for a professional journal;
The paper should use the APA format (double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, one inch margins, page numbers with running head in upper right corner, section titles, citations, and references in accordance with the APA standard).
2. Due Date: The finalized Research Paper is due for submission at the end of Week 8.
3. Evaluation Criteria and Feedback: The litmus test of a good research project is: “Does my research project provide the professor with new insight on my topic?” Feedback for the paper will be provided along with the final grade.
The grade for your paper will be determined using the Individual Research Paper rubric. (See Content > Rubrics)
4. Standards for Papers: (Repeated from the UMUC Policies Entry.) Effective managers and leaders are also effective communicators. Written communication is an important element of the total communication process. The Graduate School recognizes and expects exemplary writing to be the norm for course work. All individual and group papers must demonstrate graduate level writing ability and comply with the format requirements of the Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition). Careful attention should be given to source citations, proper listing of references, and the presentation of tables and graphs. Format and graphics, however, are not always transmitted well over the Internet: there are dozens of ways in which hardware, software and networks may be incompatible. A student may mail an additional copy of his/ her research paper to the professor by Postal Service when graphics present a problem.
5. Policy and Academic Integrity (Plagiarism): (Repeated from the UMUC Policies Entry.)
Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional presentation of another person’s idea or product as one’s own. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to the following: copying verbatim all or part of another’s written work; using phrases, charts, figures, illustrations, or mathematical or scientific solutions without citing the source; and paraphrasing ideas, conclusions, or research without citing the source. Students can avoid unintentional plagiarism by carefully accepted scholarly practices. Notes taken for papers and research projects should accurately record sources of material to be cited, quoted, paraphrased, or summarized, and papers should acknowledge these sources in footnotes. The possible penalties on plagiarism include a zero or a grade “F” on the work in question, a grade “F” in the course, suspension with a file letter, suspension with a transcript notation, or expulsion.
Individual Research Paper Topics
Your research should include speculation on where the state-of-the-art will be in the near future for one of the following technologies. Your paper could include a description of the state-of-the-art in your technology, a discussion of where the sources that you read believe the technology is heading in the near future, and a discussion of how this technology will affect the choices you would make if you were making purchase recommendations for a client. Although there is room for personal opinion in your paper, you must justify your conclusions.
Multi-core computing
Symmetric multiprocessing
Distributed computing
Cluster computing
Parallelism, e.g., Massively parallel computing
Cluster computing
Grid computing
Quantum computing
Emerging storage technologies
Peripheral connections and buses
Video display systems
CPU architectures
Very Large Scale Integration systems
Microprocessor advancements
Memory technologies (e.g., non-volatile memory)
Optical technologies
Cache organization and operation
I/O Advancements
Deep Learning accelerators
Data Center advancements
Emerging mobile technologies and tools
Neural circuits
Expanding bandwidth
Computer architecture and energy efficiency
DNA computing
Coupling and Coupling strategies
Pipelining
DMA
SIMD architectures
MIMD architectures
Processor interconnection
Multithreading techniques
Trends in embedded systems
Nanotechnology