The Research Paper



The Research Paper

The research paper is a course requirement that accounts for 60 points toward your final grade. It is your report of an investigation that you have conducted into a particular occupation or family of occupations. The paper should be double-spaced, typed, and should be a minimum of six pages in length. Please use 1’ margins and 12-point, Times New Roman font.

The Research Paper has two purposes:

1. The education gained from your efforts will either confirm your career choice or make you aware that you should look at another career.

2. You will be able to perform much better during the interview element of the course.

Sources of information for your research paper include the following:

1. Computer Programs – DISCOVER, PUM, GOE, Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Occupational Outlook Handbook, other occupational references found in the Career Resource Center

2. Interview(s) from individual(s) in the profession you have chosen.

The paper consists of five sections:

1. Research and Facts – include the following data:

a. The job title and other appropriate variations

b. Training (college, experience, combination) needed

c. Specific skills required

d. Duties/Nature of work

e. Earnings

f. Working conditions/environment

g. Employment Outlook (Present and Future)

h. Related Occupations

i. Additional Resources (References, Journals, Periodicals)

2. Interview Information – the purpose of the interview is to learn as much about the occupation as you can from a personal perspective. The interviews should be with persons employed in the occupation and should include questions about benefits and helpful job seeking suggestions. (See guidelines for Interviews on next page).

3. Current Issues – using information from journals, magazines, interviews, and/or newspaper resources, identify a current issue in the occupation, i.e., problems, controversy, etc. Give a brief summary and reaction.

4. Summary – summarize the information obtained about your personality type, skills, interests and values in relationship to the occupation. Identify your strengths and weaknesses in pursuing the occupation as a career. This section is the most important section of your paper. Please invest a significant portion of your time and energy on it.

5. Bibliography - using either MLA or APA style for your bibliography, cite in alphabetical order a minimum of five (5) resources that were used in conducting the research.

a. Example for referencing a book: Author, A.B., (Year of publication). Title of book. City of Publication, State of publication: Publishers.

b. Example for referencing a journal article: Author, A.B., Author #2, C.D., & Author #3, E,F. (Year of Publication). Title of article. Name of Journal, (volume), pages-pages.

c. Please see me if you have any questions regarding how to cite references.

Guidelines for the Interview

To be Included in the Research Paper

The following suggested guidelines are intended to help you “cover the ground” rather than to serve as your sole source of questions for the interview. You should make up your own list tailored to your own requirements. Telephone interviews are acceptable although face-to-face interviews are preferable.

Suggested Guidelines

1. Be sure you obtain and record the name of the interviewee.

2. Find out how long that person has been employed in the particular occupation or phase of an occupation

3. Find out what the job title is – as distinct from the occupational title

4. Does he/she supervise others?

5. Who supervises him/her?

6. Is he/she required to maintain records? If so, what kind? How much time is spent in record keeping? Are decisions based on these records? Hoes he/she file these records? Does he/she recover the records?

7. Is he/she required to operate any office machines including calculators or computer terminals?

8. Does he/she operate from a budget? Is he/she responsible for maintaining control of the budget?

9. Does he/she deal with the public? If so, in what way does he/she deal with the public? How much time does he/she spend doing so?

10. Does he/she deal with fellow employees? In what capacity? (i.e. team member, exchanging information, etc.)

11. How much of his/her time is spent in personal contact with fellow employees?

12. Does he/she spend any time outside the office doing work? If so, how much time?

13. Is he/she required to travel? If so, how much travel?

14. Where did he/she start with the organization by which he/she is employed?

15. Has he/she received any promotions? If so, what does he/she consider the most important factor in getting promoted? If not, what does he/she think will be the most important factor in qualifying for the next promotion opportunity?

16. What courses in his/her academic preparation does he/she consider most important to professional success in this occupation?

17. If he/she could change his/her preparation in any way, what would he/she add?

18. What about this job gives him/her the most pleasure?

19. What about this job does he/she enjoy the least?

20. If he/she could alter his/her job duties, what would he/she change?

21. How did he/she find his/her current job?

22. What suggestions does he/she have to offer anyone searching for a job similar to his/her present job?

23. Ask him/her if there is anything you have not asked which would be enlightening for a person to know who is considering entering the occupation.

It is suggested that you also remain sensitive to the “feeling” that prevails in the office or organization. Some places of employment are happy and relaxed, and some may make you feel uncomfortable. You should recognize that, although an occupation may be a correct choice for you, there are other factors that can affect how much pleasure you find in your job.

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