Leedy, P. and Ormrod, J.  (2005).  Practical Research:  Planning and Design (8th edition).  Upper Saddle River, NJ, Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Primarily articles from current journals and periodicals - other materials as appropriate.

American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington DC:  Author

Citing Electronic Resources: APA Style. Retrieved July 14, 2003 from http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.html 

Online Guide to Writing and Research. Retrieved July 14, 2003 from
http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/writinggde/welcome.shtml

Procedures for Completing the Research Project Notification and Human Subjects Protection Form. Retrieved June 16, 2003 from http://www.ed.umuc.edu/staff/faculty/detech/pedagogy/proceduresform.html

University Of Maryland University College Policy Manual Policy 130.25: Conducting Research Involving Human Subjects. Retrieved June 16, 2003 from http://www.ed.umuc.edu/staff/faculty/detech/pedagogy/policy%20manual.html

All graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library to obtain the various resources necessary to develop a Professional Paper.

Babbie, E. (2007). The Practice of Social Research (11th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Wadsworth Inc.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should understand and be able to apply knowledge concerning:

1. Integration and communication of major concepts in information technology.
2. Critical evaluation of publications regarding information technology.
3. Research methods as applied to specific issues in information technology.
4. Current and emerging issues and trends in information technology.

1. Distinguish a "research study" from a report or white paper
2. Evaluate the credibility of a research study
3. Identify and apply the techniques of Scientific Methodology, including
   1. Develop an original question which needs to be answered,
   2. Perform a thorough literature review of previous studies and writings in this area,
   3. Create the hypothesis,
   4. Develop the criteria for evaluating the results of the study,
   5. Conduct the research, and
   6. Summarize and report the results
4. Develop techniques for conducting a thorough literature search in the field
5. Identify, describe and model procedures for data gathering
6. Develop data reporting and analysis techniques
7. Develop technical writing skills
8. Understand the importance of research to the MIS professional

1. Academic, professional, or trade journal articles,
   
2. Case studies,
   
3. Policy analyses, policy proposals, project management reviews, and program evaluations,
   
4. Pre-procurement or pre-implementation analyses of new technologies or best practices,
   
5. Grant proposals.

• the purpose of the research, research questions, and preliminary thesis;
  
• the boundaries of the research area;
  
• an outline of the research sub-topics;
  
• the methodology used, i.e. literature or field research; LI>a preliminary reading list.

1. Identify the audience most interested in the question.
   
2. Identify literature and other sources of expert information on the question.
   
3. Present the research question, the research design, the target audience, and a broad outline of the final paper (called The Proposal) to peers the instructor.
   
4. Obtain permission from UMUC officials to use human subjects if the research design warrants
   
5. Obtain written permission from the management of the organization(s) involved with the research. Examples include, but are not limited to, military units, government contractors, DODDs schools, and restricted websites.
   
6. Evaluate feedback received and making changes to the proposal as appropriate.
   
7. Execute the research design.
   
8. Write the Professional Paper that clearly and accurately reports the research findings in a format that meets the needs of the audience.
   
9. Present a draft of the Professional Paper to peers and the instructor.
   
10. Evaluate feedback received and make changes to the final draft as appropriate.
    
11. Submit the final draft to the target audience.

1. Initiate and complete each of the critical tasks in a timely manner,
   
2. Be the sole executor of the research design and author of the Professional Paper,
   
3. Cite all sources of expert information according to the APA style guide,
   
4. Present and defend the proposal, progress reports, working drafts, and the final draft in a timely manner,
   
5. Engage in discussions with the the classroom instructor and graduate student peers in a professional manner,
   
6. Evaluate feedback received and make appropriate changes to the proposal, the research design, the literature review, the report of findings, the discussion, and the recommendations,
   
7. Evaluate feedback received and make appropriate changes to the length, style, and format of the Professional Paper, and
   
8. Provide Graduate Programs with an electronic copy of the final draft of the Professional Paper.

The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the University's contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism

The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: "Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi."

Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course.

Students with disabilities should contact the appropriate support office at UMUC-Europe. 

Jan Keller, Director of Student Services

UMUC-Europe, Heidelberg

Phone:  +49-6221-378299

Email:  edstudent_svc@ed.umuc.edu

Mailing Address:  Unit 29216, APO AE 09102 OR Im Bosseldorn 30, D-69126 Heidelberg, Germany

Please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:

Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Code of Civility

Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center.