The research deliverable should have a minimum framework used as guidelines for students (and clients) to understand expectations and outcomes.

The amount of time spent on each deliverable can fluctuate as needed; however it is important to remember the total length of time necessary to complete the project. If we were to break down one semester into 3 equal parts, one for each deliverable, each individual deliverable should take no longer than 4 weeks.

However, with this being the first deliverable, it is advised to give attention to the chaotic nature of the semester in the first week as students are introduced to their courses initially. Ideally, the students should spend a minimum of 2 weeks on deliverable #1.

Students should be asking the client:

• How do they want the research presented to them?
• What level of detail is expected? How in-depth should the research be?
• How much information do they want?
• Where do they want this research to come from?
  • Sources, Viewpoints, Organizations, Types of Researchers, etc.
• How do they want the data stored/sent to them?
• How do they want the data stored/sent to them?
• What should be used to complete this?
  • What is required/will be given from the client?
  • Are labs and/or equipment necessary?
  • If clients require supplementary materials alongside any presentation, such as additional brochures, pamphlets, infographics, or other.

Research papers should be a minimum of 5 pages, properly cited using APA Citation.

APA Citation Guide (Purdue University)

Presentations should be 5-10 minutes minimum, with or without slides depending on the client’s preference. (See professional presentations chapter).

At least 10 secondary sources of research should be cited in the results, these sources should be those most relevant to answering the research question – not the first 10 sources that appear in the search.

If primary research is being done, a sample size of at least 10% should be taken. In the case of participant interviews, this number may be lowered to accommodate for time.

Types of Research

• A/B Testing
• User Testing
• Interviews
• Surveys

Sample Sizes in Primary Research

Qualitative Research

The key in qualitative research is not the number of participants, but rather your justification for the sample size. A minimum of 12 cases in a sample is the recommendation when conducting qualitative research (Boddy, 2016).

https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/calculating-sample-size/

Quantitative Research

Once you determine a few bases, you can calculate your sample size through a formula (or online tool).

• Population Size – the number of people in the entire group you are researching (i.e., all the employees at the company, all customers)
• Confidence Level – the statistical probability that the value of a parameter falls within a specified range of values. The most used confidence level is 95%. The higher the confidence level, the higher the probability your results will truly reflect the population.
• The margin of Error – the maximum acceptable difference in results between the population and the sample. The smaller the margin of error, the more predictive your results are of the general trend of the population. The recommended margin of error to be used is between 5-10%.

Research Paper

Length

Understand your target audience when deciding length. A highly technical audience will appreciate a highly detailed paper that includes visuals, charts, and more. This could be 30-50 pages. A non-technical audience will appreciate a shorter paper that clearly synthesizes all points in an easy-to-understand way. This could be 10-15 pages.

Background Work

• Think about different forms of evidence that can aid your research
• Gather evidence from a variety of sources
• Develop a bibliography
• Write a thesis for your research
• Critically analyze and write about key pieces of evidence
• Consider the possible reasons one may disagree or question the premise of your thesis
• Categorize and evaluate evidence

The Components of a Research Paper

• The Formal Outline: Formal outlines are a sort of table of contents for your essay: they give the reader a summary of the main points and sub-points of what they are about to read.
• The Introduction: Get the reader’s attention and briefly explain what the essay will encompass.
• Background Information: Explain, contextualize, and orient your readers.
• Evidence: Generally speaking, you need to have a piece of evidence in the form of a direct quote or paraphrase every time you make a claim that you cannot assume your audience “just knows.” Your audience wants to know your interpretation of these quotes and paraphrases as you guide them through your research. To do this, you need to explain the significance of your evidence throughout your essay.
• Possible Arguments and Rebuttals: Anticipate the ways in which a reader might disagree with your point, and address them. Demonstrate your knowledge of the different sides of the issue by acknowledging and answering them.
• Conclusion: Make a connection in the conclusion of your essay with the introduction, and restate your thesis, Note that you don’t necessarily have to restate your thesis in the same words you used in your introduction.
• Works Cited / References (ensure you understand the difference between ‘in-text citations’ and the end list of sources)

Sources & Examples