(I’ve already chosen the topic. I need to budget for a $6,400 lawsuit for an apartment. This info is provided in the attached text. )
Term Research Project and Paper General Information
Project and Report Topics
The topic that you choose must have a personal finance theme and you must demonstrate that you have a genuine interest in learning more about the topic. You will need to do some exploration and preliminary research to find something that is both meaningful and relevant.
A good place to start your search for a topic is to look at the various topics that are discussed in our textbook, which is very comprehensive on the subject of personal finance. Any of the main topics in the text would meet the requirement of being meaningful and relevant, but only you can decide if any of those would be of sufficient interest to you and worthy of your time and energy to research and present your findings in this paper. (See Embedded Librarian discussion below.)
For example, any of the following main topics in the text would constitute acceptable topics upon which to conduct further research and exploration on your part for this assignment:
career planning
budgeting
money management
credit and debt management
investing
major purchases like a car or home
insurance for your health, life, and property
retirement planning
estate planning
If you are searching for a topic, your search should certainly not be limited to the topics above. Although those topics cover a broad area, they just skim the surface of personal finance.
Embedded Librarian
A wonderful resource that you should utilize in the topic selection, research, and drafting of your research paper are the MUR librarians. On that Module 0: Library Research page, you will find a wealth of information regarding research techniques, topical databases, finding tools, and directions to scholarly and other credible and authoritative resources on your topic. As noted in Grading Rubric for this assignment, in assessing the quality of your research, the expectation is clear that you will document what reflects a meaningful utilization of the Embedded Librarian in your paper. On your Works Cited you are to note which citations were gleaned from the Embedded Librarian’s resource leads.
Proposal Submission and Approval
In this assignment Term Research Project and Paper Proposal you will select and submit your personal finance topic. After you have submitted this proposal, you will not be able to continue your Term Research Project and Paper Proposal topic until you receive the approval of your instructor. Note that this could result in multiple rewrites and revisions before approval. Once you have received approval then you may continue your research and writing.
Personal Matters and Information
The topic of personal finance is personal and your privacy is respected. You are not required to share any information about your personal finances that you are not comfortable sharing. That being said, your course instructor does want to help you achieve your personal financial goals. It can be a delicate balancing act to both respect your privacy and provide help. Please do not feel pressured or feel uncomfortable about discussing anything regarding your own personal situation, either in this specific assignment or in the course in general. You will be the judge as to what you feel is appropriate to communicate with your instructor.
Assessing Your Term Research Project and Paper
As you complete the individual parts of the Term Research Project and Paper you will be assessed by rubrics.
Research and Report Preparation Matters
Quality and source of information: One of the purposes of this research assignment is to get you acquainted with credible and authoritative sources of financial information. Therefore, you are expected to use a wide variety of resources beyond just Internet blogs and social media postings. For example, you should be researching sources like the Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Fortune Magazine, The Economist Magazine, Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, Consumer Reports Money Adviser, and current authors like Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey.
It is expected that resources available from the Internet will be part of your research approach. You should use information obtained from mainstream sites like those sponsored by well-established and respected organizations and publications. You will need to note the date you extracted the information from these websites in your Term Research Project and Paper ‘s Works Cited page.
Although an excellent study course study tool, your course textbook is deemed to be of very low research value and should not be quoted as a research resource in your paper.
Citations
Citation of material that is borrowed, whether a direct quote or a paraphrase of ideas, must be appropriately documented and incorporated into the body of your paper so that it is clear what specific content has been borrowed. Such information must be cited properly to avoid plagiarism, and detailed in a “works cited” page. This includes any and all information obtained from the Internet and other sources. Please use the APA (American Psychological Association) 6th edition citation style
Actions
for your Works Cited page at the end of your report. In that Works Cited page, you are to note which citations were gleaned from the Embedded Librarian’s resource leads. This means, journal articles are cited differently than books. Please take advantage of the other resources provided in this assignment to cite properly.
Use of Captions
To facilitate the reader’s understanding of your report, it is required that you organize your report by a specific topic and introduce each new topic with a caption in bold font.
Paper requirements
Type: Use a 12-pitch font, like the one you’re reading now. Double-space your report, using standard margins.
Length: minimum five full pages of descriptive narrative, excluding a cover page, Works Cited page, and any supplementary graphs, charts, tables, or spreadsheets. All graphs, charts tables, spreadsheets, etc. are to be positioned immediately following the main body of the paper, and not embedded within the body of the paper. Please number all of your pages.
Cover page: On your report cover page, just put your name and the date in the upper-right corner. Center the title of your research paper on the cover page.
