HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (HSEP) 690
CAPSTONE SEMINAR
ONLINE BLACKBOARD COURSE
GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR
HOMELAND SECURITY RESEARCH PAPER

Background:

The Homeland Security Research Paper for the Capstone Seminar may be a “policy proposal paper” or a white paper on an important topic needing research. Students are expected to write a professional quality research paper. Students should select a research topic that they have a strong interest in or select from one of the topics/study areas provided. If you need guidance on an appropriate topic please discuss with the instructor.

Required Sections for the Research Paper:

Use the following suggested sections in your research paper. Approximate page numbers per section appear in parentheses.

Abstract (1)
Introduction of the Topic (1)
Literature Review (4)
Thesis, Hypothesis and Problem Statement (2)
Primary Organizations Involved in the issue and Their Roles (2)
Discussion (4)
Proposed Solutions and Recommendations (3)
Major Obstacles and Implementation Challenges to Your Solution/Recommendations (2)
Conclusions (2)
Bibliography
Appendices (charts, graphs, pictures, etc.)

References:

Students are required to reference books, scholarly journals, and government and think tank reports for the research paper. For example, reports from the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Government Accountability Office (GAO), RAND Corporation, and others may be used to produce a credible, comprehensive, and legitimate policy proposal paper.

Writing the Research Paper:

Use evidence to define the problem and support your discussion. Use appropriate and sufficient evidence and data that serves to support your views in every component of your paper. For example, research results, policy positions from various actors, quotes from key personnel, and persuasive statistical data should be marshaled to buttress your arguments and explain your positions. Choose your sources carefully, as always.
Ensure your proposed solutions and recommendations are specific, logical, clear, and understandable. Be sure your solutions and recommendations are logical based on what you present in the paper in sections preceding the solutions and recommendations. Furthermore, ensure that your intended recipient would not say after reading your paper, “So what exactly am I supposed to do?”
Handle obstacles fairly. Address major obstacles and implementation challenges in a substantive manner. Do not just state something simple such as “There is not enough money or votes.” Instead, identify possible obstacles and implementation challenges that emanate from various opposing forces.

Format:

Your paper should be typed double-spaced and be approximately twenty (20) pages of text in length. Include a separate cover page with a paper title and a bibliography on separate pages. You may use headings as suggested above for various sections of the paper. The cover page and bibliography are in addition to the 20 pages of text in your paper. Cite your sources in APA format. You may use 11- or 12-font. Any attachments should be in addition to the 20 pages of text in your paper. Inclusion of illustrations, diagrams and tables within the text are acceptable but should not be counted in the 20 pages of text in your paper.

Before Submission:

Proofread and edit your paper to eliminate grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Grading Criteria:

Clarity, argumentation, logic, thoughtfulness, accuracy, organization, quality, expression, selection of scholarly quotes, citations from course and outside sources, following instructions, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Student Reporting:

Four student reports are required to be completed as part of the project throughout the course. These reports are designed to guide you successfully through the process of completing your research project. Templates are provided for each student report to outline the required deliverables for the report. Please submit these reports on or before the required due dates

On-Campus Presentation:

Students will give a PowerPoint presentation of their research paper/policy proposal paper at an on-campus class session during finals week. (See: 10 Common Presentation Mistakes for ideas on presentations).

Note for Course and HSEP Degree Completion:

The assignment is designed to assess student abilities to read and understand scholarly research, analyze and synthesize critical issues and write a coherent, concise, high quality paper for an organization official. Successful completion of the assignment is an HSEP degree requirement.

HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (HSEP) 690
CAPSTONE SEMINAR
ONLINE BLACKBOARD COURSE
GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR
HOMELAND SECURITY RESEARCH PAPER

Background:

The Homeland Security Research Paper for the Capstone Seminar may be a “policy proposal paper” or a white paper on an important topic needing research. Students are expected to write a professional quality research paper. Students should select a research topic that they have a strong interest in or select from one of the topics/study areas provided. If you need guidance on an appropriate topic please discuss with the instructor.

Required Sections for the Research Paper:

Use the following suggested sections in your research paper. Approximate page numbers per section appear in parentheses.

Abstract (1)
Introduction of the Topic (1)
Literature Review (4)
Thesis, Hypothesis and Problem Statement (2)
Primary Organizations Involved in the issue and Their Roles (2)
Discussion (4)
Proposed Solutions and Recommendations (3)
Major Obstacles and Implementation Challenges to Your Solution/Recommendations (2)
Conclusions (2)
Bibliography
Appendices (charts, graphs, pictures, etc.)

References:

Students are required to reference books, scholarly journals, and government and think tank reports for the research paper. For example, reports from the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Government Accountability Office (GAO), RAND Corporation, and others may be used to produce a credible, comprehensive, and legitimate policy proposal paper.

Writing the Research Paper:

Use evidence to define the problem and support your discussion. Use appropriate and sufficient evidence and data that serves to support your views in every component of your paper. For example, research results, policy positions from various actors, quotes from key personnel, and persuasive statistical data should be marshaled to buttress your arguments and explain your positions. Choose your sources carefully, as always.
Ensure your proposed solutions and recommendations are specific, logical, clear, and understandable. Be sure your solutions and recommendations are logical based on what you present in the paper in sections preceding the solutions and recommendations. Furthermore, ensure that your intended recipient would not say after reading your paper, “So what exactly am I supposed to do?”
Handle obstacles fairly. Address major obstacles and implementation challenges in a substantive manner. Do not just state something simple such as “There is not enough money or votes.” Instead, identify possible obstacles and implementation challenges that emanate from various opposing forces.

Format:

Your paper should be typed double-spaced and be approximately twenty (20) pages of text in length. Include a separate cover page with a paper title and a bibliography on separate pages. You may use headings as suggested above for various sections of the paper. The cover page and bibliography are in addition to the 20 pages of text in your paper. Cite your sources in APA format. You may use 11- or 12-font. Any attachments should be in addition to the 20 pages of text in your paper. Inclusion of illustrations, diagrams and tables within the text are acceptable but should not be counted in the 20 pages of text in your paper.

Before Submission:

Proofread and edit your paper to eliminate grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Grading Criteria:

Clarity, argumentation, logic, thoughtfulness, accuracy, organization, quality, expression, selection of scholarly quotes, citations from course and outside sources, following instructions, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Student Reporting:

Four student reports are required to be completed as part of the project throughout the course. These reports are designed to guide you successfully through the process of completing your research project. Templates are provided for each student report to outline the required deliverables for the report. Please submit these reports on or before the required due dates

On-Campus Presentation:

Students will give a PowerPoint presentation of their research paper/policy proposal paper at an on-campus class session during finals week. (See: 10 Common Presentation Mistakes for ideas on presentations).

Note for Course and HSEP Degree Completion:

The assignment is designed to assess student abilities to read and understand scholarly research, analyze and synthesize critical issues and write a coherent, concise, high quality paper for an organization official. Successful completion of the assignment is an HSEP degree requirement.