Public Affairs 4021: Washington Academic Internship Program Research Paper

The course contributes to all Glenn College learning goals and objectives related to foundational knowledge in public affairs; competencies in management, leadership, and policy analysis; and developing an appreciation for multiple perspectives in public affairs. In particular, the course focuses on the following objectives at an advanced level:

• Students can integrate and apply knowledge gained in their area of specialization in public affairs (e.g. community organization).
• Students can define and address problems in the public and/or nonprofit sectors using analytical tools.
• Students can communicate effectively via written, oral, and electronic methods in public and/or nonprofit sectors.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired as they complete a practical research project in subject areas of interest to them.
2. Communicate the results of their research effectively in written, oral, and visual formats.

• Review Syllabus

• Term Paper Form 1 – Topic Approval: 2 points

• Term Paper Form 2 – Initial Research Plan: 4 points

• Term Paper Form 3 – Paper Proposal: 4 points

• Term Paper Form 4 – Paper Development Plan: 4 points

• Term Paper Form 5 – Final Research Plan: 8 points

• Term Paper Form 6 – MidTerm Paper: 8 points

• Term Paper Form 7.1 – Writing Center: 6 points

• Term Paper Form 8 – 50% Draft: 12 points

• Term Paper Form 9 – Midterm Presentation: 4 points

• Term Paper Form 10 – Analytical Framework: 6 points

• Term Paper Form 7.2 – Writing Center: 6 points

• Term Paper Form 11 – Final Paper: 24 points

• Term Paper Form 12 – Final Presentation: 12 points

Forms:
Forms are frameworks for capturing the essence of each assignment. Forms clarify the amount of work needed and have 3 main parts: the grading rubric, the assignment contents, and specifications for constructing each document. Writing assignments use forms to make the best use of time and clearly define what success looks like. Follow the process established by the forms, as shown by hundreds of students, it has proven to work time and time again; it is designed to help make you successful.

Written assignments:
Must be your own original work. APA style is required for citing the ideas and words of your research sources. You are encouraged to ask a trusted person to proofread your assignments before you turn them in but no one else should revise or rewrite your work.

WAIP Term Paper:   
The objective is to provide an environment in which students integrate, synthesize, and apply the knowledge, skills, and perspectives acquired in the classroom to a real world public policy or management problem. The Term Paper course is a professional experience inside the classroom intended to sharpen problem solving, analytic, and communications skills. By applying theory to practice, the Term Paper experience serves as an important bridge between the classroom and the professional world.

Term Paper Objectives:   
The course also prepares students to critically assess public policy and management analyses and prepares students to produce their own analysis that informs a real world policy or management issue. In preparing the project deliverables, students will be expected to produce high-quality policy or management analysis while operating under tight deadlines.

Term Paper Deliverables: 
The WAIP Term Paper is a scaffolded project. All forms must be submitted on time, in the order shown below, to earn credit for this project. If a form is not submitted on time, the next form(s) in the process will not be accepted. This means missing any one assignment or attempting to turn in an assignment after the assignment is closed on CarmenCanvas will result in course failure.

Form 1 – Topic Selection and Approval

This form allows you to obtain approval of your selected WAIP 12 Page Term Paper topic. Think through what you want to achieve, especially how your topic can contribute to your professional goals. Many successful students take their Term Paper to job interviews to demonstrate their ability to construct a professional level document that addresses an important topic.

Form 2 – Initial Research Plan

The Initial Research Plan is accomplished in coordination with the library, specifically the research librarian assigned to support the Glenn College. This is an important step because it helps confirm your topic is researchable and helps you begin to navigate the exceptional resources in the OSU library. Some students have selected topics that are not researchable, resulting in poor outcomes. Working with a research librarian can help avoid this and open up a wealth of resources that can support an excellent Term Paper.

Form 3 – Term Paper Proposal

The Term Paper Proposal is critical in establishing the general direction of your paper. The development of a good research question is essential for success. Here is guidance on creating an excellent research question:

The worst case:

• No question, instead an answer
• “Immigration is fundamental to the health of the United States economy”

A better case:

• A question, but it only results in a narrative answer
• “What role did each branch of the US federal government play in addressing immigration?”

The best case:

• A real, focused question; it forces you to make judgments about causality, importance, and policy implications
• “Why is immigration important to a vibrant civil society and how should Congress address the situation?”

An excellent research question results in a journey of exploration to discover something new.

• Does the Electoral College have a future in the federal voting system and, if so, should there be changes in how it is constructed?
• What are the state and local policy implications of the controversy between school choice and public school?

Form 4 – Term Paper Development Plan

Professionals plan! Your Term Paper Development Plan is fundamental to establishing a successful approach. It helps you “arrange your mental furniture” to address a complex and important topic you care about. Passion is great, but effectiveness is key to success. Moreover, you are really busy and having a plan provides you a touchstone to recenter your thinking. Below is an outline you can consider drawing from in setting up your plan. If it reminds you of Bardach’s 8-fold path, you are spot on.

1. Define the Problem, Identify Goals and Objectives, and Assemble Evidence
   1. Clearly define the problem using evidence to assess the nature and extent of the problem
   2. Assess previous efforts to solve problem
   3. Define goals and objectives
   4. Identify and describe relevant stakeholders
   5. Identify and describe analysis strategies
2. Construct and Analyze Alternatives
   1. Identify and describe alternatives
   2. Systematically compare alternatives, specifying choice criteria
   3. Identify and describe relevant spillovers and externalities associated with alternatives
   4. Identify and describe tradeoffs
3. Decide, Conclude, and Recommend
   1. Describe the preferred alternative
   2. State conclusions
   3. Specify political, organizational, and economic conditions that will affect successful implementation of your choice
   4. Summarize the monitoring and evaluation plan

Form 5 – Final Research Plan

Now that you are well underway, it’s time to revisit the library and check in with the research librarian. I’ve done a number of research projects and still find the complexity of databases in well-equipped, high-capability libraries, like OSU’s, to be challenging. Make good use of your time in this step, it will provide solid benefits especially a bit of original pizzazz that will make your paper stand out.

Form 6 – Midterm Assessment

The Mid-term Assessment provides the opportunity to use your analysis to begin synthesis. What is synthesis and how does it differ from analysis? Synthesis and analysis are complementary processes in critical thinking, problem-solving, and learning.

Synthesis: The process of integrating or combining separate elements or parts to form a coherent whole. In a broader context, synthesis involves generating novel ideas, concepts, theories, or solutions by bringing together diverse pieces of information.

Analysis: The process of breaking down a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it. It involves separating a whole into its constituent parts and understanding their relationships and how they interact to form the whole.

Form 7.1 – Writing Center Report

As a professional writer I always used a proofreading partner. The Writing Center is this and more. The staff can help you improve your paper, a lot! Here’s what they say about themselves: “During our sessions, consultants can work with you on anything from research papers to lab reports, from dissertations to résumés, from proposals to application materials. The OSU Writing Center’s consultants are trained to listen to you and to work with you to identify your writing style, a particular assignment’s or project’s expectations, and to give you specific advice or writing tools. You can expect us to be compassionate, understanding, and eagerly committed to figuring out how to talk about your writing in a way that works for you.”

When you meet with them, make sure you have the syllabus handy.

Form 8 – 50% Draft

This form is due in the 8th week of the course and puts you on track for finishing strong. A paper written in one sitting, especially at the end of a course never results in the best outcome. This step engages your cerebral cortex for deep thinking and helps you avoid the procrastination “Panic Monster.” For a quick break, have a look at this Ted Talk that addresses paper writing and procrastination: Tim Urban – Master Procrastinator.

Form 9 – Midterm Presentation

This short presentation helps you gather your thoughts and gain assistance in formulating your end game from the instructor. You explain what the topic is, why is it important, and how will the paper address ii and then answer and discuss questions on the presentation. The purpose is for you to take stock of where you are and where you are going.

Form 10 – Analytical Framework

This step is always fun. At this point in the process students are normally deeply engaged in analysis. Doing a deep dive into the analytical process with the instructor helps stimulate the synthesis your brain has been working on since the Midterm Assessment. This almost always take your paper up a level. In Washington-speak, in this step the instructor helps you make your paper more “punchy.” This is a collaborative step where the instructor helps you think about ways for you to express the “Aha!” moment in your paper.

Form 7.2 – Writing Center

Back to the Writing Center one more time before you turn in your final paper in the next step. Use this step judiciously, it’s a great way to make sure your paper is in the best shape for submission.

Form 11 – Final Paper

Follow the grading rubric, required content, and specifications carefully; they are spelled out in detail on the form so you can see exactly what is required.

Form 12 – Final Presentation

This is where you get to share your work with your colleagues so they also can benefit from your deep thinking and synthesis! Again, follow the guidance on the form really carefully.