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COMM 6019-62 | Research Report - Formal

Due: Sunday, March 31 at 11:59 p.m. to the appropriate FOL submission folder.
Worth: 25%
Length: Approx. 12-15 pages.

Individually or in groups (max 3), complete a research report on a current topic relevant to the workplace and to
your program. Note that the topic must be approved by me before the you begin your research. The final research
report will be approximately 12-15 pages in length from Title Page through to Reference List for individuals (note:
the length of the report from beginning to end may increase depending on group size).

KEY Course Learning Outcome: Prepare advanced-level proposals and research reports (informational/analytical)
on program-related topics; summarize and integrate effective research sources

Instructions

1. Identify a current curiosity, problem, or issue in your field that you are interested in researching.
2. Ensure that there is a solution or recommendation that logically follows from the research, despite what
type of report you use.
3. Independently or collaboratively (max. 3 people per group – see p. 4 for group work policy), write one of
the following report types on your topic:
a. Recommendation Report
b. Yardstick Report
i. NOTE: before writing your report, please wait for topic approval via our Discretionary
Assignment #4: Research Report Topic; also, before doing too much work, please know
that you will receive feedback from our Informal Research Report Proposal
ii. NOTE: as noted above, this is a formal research report, so your page breakdown is as
follows (counted together, items 6-9 may be more than a page each—i.e., the 12-15-
page length):
1. Title Page
2. Letter of Transmittal
3. Table of Contents
4. List of Figures
5. Executive Summary
6. Introduction
7. Body
8. Conclusions
9. Recommendations
10. Appendix (if used)
11. References
iii. NOTE: please ensure that your formal research report uses a single-space block format

4. Address the report to professionals in your field (i.e., while you can imagine you are working in the
industry for a real organization, you are more than welcome to use your creative license depending on the
context)
5. Use at least two self-made graphics (i.e., not copy and pasted) via proper APA formatting (pie graph, line
charts, etc.).
a. NOTE: beyond this minimum, you can use other visuals, but ensure they are sourced
6. Via APA, use at least five research sources that pass the C.R.A.A.P. test (i.e. Currency, Relevance,
Authority, Accuracy, Purpose; more on this later).

a. To be clear, in using APA, you will have both in-text citations and a References page
Evaluation
CATEGORY EXCELLENT
(Exceeds Standards)
Report name, receiver’s
Title Page and authors’ names, date
Proper format.
Letter of Transmittal Topic announced or
introduced.
Points of special interest
mentioned.
Close (appreciation and/or
follow-up
/acknowledgment.
Table of Contents Headings and sub-headings
are clear.
Page numbers aligned.
General layout is excellent.
List of figures included.
Executive Summary Clearly and concisely
summarizes the report.
Summarizes the
recommendation(s) of the
paper and the reasons for
the recommendations.
Describes the topics
discussed and the depth of
the discussion.
INTRODUCTION Strong
introduction of
topic’s key
question(s), terms.
Clearly delineates
subtopics to be
reviewed. Specific
thesis statement.
BODY – Content, All material clearly
Focus & Sequencing related to subtopic,
main topic. Strong
organization and
integration of
material within
subtopics. Strong
transitions linking
subtopics, and
main topic.
CONCLUSION/ Strong review of
RECOMMENDATION key conclusions.
Strong integration
with thesis
statement.
Insightful
discussion of
impact of the
researched
material on topic.
Solid and clear
recommendations.
Sources & Support Strong evidenced-based
research
support for thesis.
Grammar & The paper is free
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GOOD ACCEPTABLE UNACCEPTABLE BREAKDOWN
(Occasionally Exceeds) (Meets Standards) (Below Standards) (/100)
Missing one element Missing more than one No Title Page
element /2
Format missing one Format missing more Not in proper format.
element. than one element. Does not adequately
Conveys topic and Conveys topic but does convey topic.
includes some points of not mention points of No close. /4
special interest. special interest.
Adequate close. Weak close.
Missing one element. Missing more than one No Table of Contents.
element.
/2
Report is adequately Report is adequately Does not adequately
summarized and summarized. summarize the paper.
recommendations are One or more of the Recommendations are
included. Topics are following is missing: not made.
generally discussed. recommendations It is unclear as to what
and/or topic the paper will be /10
discussions. discussing (purpose,
topics, etc.)
Conveys topic and Conveys topic, but Does not
key question(s). not key adequately convey
Clearly delineates question(s). topic. Does not
subtopics to be Describes describe subtopics /5
reviewed. General subtopics to be to be reviewed.
thesis statement. reviewed. General Lacks adequate
thesis statement. thesis statement.
All material clearly Most material Little evidence
related to subtopic, clearly related to material is
main topic and subtopic, main logically organized
logically organized topic. Material into topic,
within subtopics. may not be subtopics or
Clear, varied organized within related to topic. /30
transitions linking subtopics. Many transitions
subtopics, and main Attempts to are unclear or
topic. provide variety of nonexistent.
transitions
Strong review of key Review of key Does not
conclusions. Strong conclusions. summarize
integration with thesis Some integration evidence with
statement. Discusses with thesis respect to thesis
impact of researched statement. statement.
material on topic. Discusses impact Does not discuss /10
Recommendations are of researched the impact of
present and sound. material on topic. researched
Recommendations are material on topic. No
present but weak. recommendations.
Sources well selected to Sources generally Few sources
support thesis with some acceptable but not supporting thesis.
evidence in support of evidence-based Sources /10
thesis. research. insignificant or
unsubstantiated.
Grammatical errors Very few Grammatical
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Mechanics of grammatical or spelling & grammatical, errors or spelling

errors and spelling
& punctuation.
Communication Scholarly style.
Style Writing is in formal
business tone and is
flowing and easy
to follow.
APA Style, Citations No errors in APA style.
& Sources/ All references and
References citations are
correctly written
and present.
Findings arranged in logical
General Body segments
Aesthetics, Used clear, descriptive
Readability, headings
Document Design, Used bullets and/or
Visuals, etc. numbering for clarity.
Report is professionally
presented. 2 self-made
graphics included.
punctuation are rare and spelling or & punctuation /15
do not detract from the punctuation errors substantially
paper. interfere with detract from the
reading the paper. paper.
Scholarly style. Writing Word choice Word choice is
is mostly in formal somewhat informal in tone.
business tone and has informal in tone. Writing is not formal
minimal awkward of Writing not always in business tone and/or is
unclear passages. business tone and/or has choppy, /4
a few with many
awkward or awkward or
unclear passages. unclear passages.
Rare errors in APA style Errors in APA style is Errors in APA style
that do not detract from noticeable. detracts substantially
the paper. Two references or from the paper. /4
One reference or citations missing Reference and
citation missing or or incorrectly citation errors
incorrectly written. written. detract
significantly from
paper.
One element of logic, Two or more elements Incorrectly written or
headings, bullets, etc. written incorrectly or missing elements
written incorrectly or missing. detract significantly
missing. Presentation format is from paper.
Report is presented adequate for business. Report not presented in /4
somewhat professionally. a professional format.

Policies and Expectations

 Academic Integrity: At Fanshawe College, this refers to the “practice of holding oneself and others
accountable for performing all academic work in an honest and ethical manner” (A136). Please do not
commit an academic offence like plagiarism. Take the time to familiarize yourself with Fanshawe’s A136
policy. If you are uncertain of what constitutes plagiarism, moreover, then please contact me—I am more
than happy to look over your work before you submit it. Please know, too, that academic integrity
software like Respondus LockDown Browser + Monitor may be used (the latter requires a webcam).
 Accommodation: Please contact Counselling and Accessibility Services (Main Campus: F2010/LDB: 603-5)
at 519-452-4282, counselling@fanshawec.ca, or accessibility@fanshawec.ca. If you have an
accommodation, then please expect a message from me detailing how you will be supported (also, please
feel free to reach out to start the conversation). Please know, too, that, depending on the nature of the
accommodation, if a situation arises, then it may be your responsibility to contact me about an issue,
evaluation, etc. Otherwise, depending on the nature of the scenario, course policies may be in effect.
 Documentation: If an evaluation is missed due to illness, an extenuating circumstance, etc., then a form
of documentation will be required to have the opportunity to make-up the work (e.g., a doctor’s note).
While each issue of this nature will be judged on a case-by-case basis, evidence in the form of
documentation is required across the board (please note, however, that, in these times, certain
exceptions will be made—please email me to work out the details).
 Email: I will respond to emails during regular business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday to Friday) within a
24-hour response period. Please wait 24 hours before contacting me about a mark. Please write in a
professional, grammatically appropriate manner. Importantly, please identify your class when writing. To
be clear, there is no guarantee that emails will be read and responded to on weekends.
 Extenuating Circumstances: If a situation arises that falls outside of the parameters of our policies,
accommodations, etc., then it may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on its nature. To the
best of your ability, please contact me in advance if you foresee any issues.
 Feedback: There will be an aim for a turnaround time of 1-2 weeks for feedback.
 Group Work:
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o Groups will share the same marks

o If you work collaboratively, then please know that the page count may increase—email me if you
choose to go this route.
o In your groups of two or three, if you have a communication and/or labour issue with one of your
members, then please include me in your email exchanges via carbon copy (i.e. CC me) and reply
all. Keep me in the loop, so to speak; if an issue persists, moreover, then a virtual meeting will be
setup to address the issue and discuss an alternative arrangement and/or penalty (one based on
clear evidence of inclusivity attempts via an electronic paper trail).
 Late Marks: 10% per day to a maximum of three days (including weekends and holidays). After three
days, you will get a zero (0%). Concessions will not be made without official documentation and/or
accommodations, or another extenuating circumstance that may be determined on a case-by-case basis
via email. Late work can and should still be uploaded to FOL until the submission folder closes.
 Resources: All PowerPoint slides, virtual class recordings, and other resources will be uploaded to FOL.
 Rewrites/Make-Up Work/Missed Evaluations: Without accommodation and/or documentation, or
another extenuating circumstance that may be determined on a case-by-case basis via email, there are no
rewrites or make-up assignments, quizzes, tests, etc. Please see A131 for more information.
 Submissions: You must use Microsoft Word and submit all work as either a .doc or .docx file. This means
no .pages or .pdf files. Also, do not zip your files—please just upload the .doc or .docx file. Indeed,
Fanshawe offers free access to Microsoft Office software (see this link).

Single-Space Block Formatting Reminder!

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This document is subject to change if any issues arise.