MPA 620 BU Washington Regional Medical Center Real Estate Investment Case Study

• Prompt: Finalize the development of the research proposal that will serve as the cumulative project for MPA620 and serve as the foundation for further research conducted in MPA625.
• Requirements: A minimum of 20 pages using APA format. Specific requirements are outlined in the Summary of Assignments as well as Appendix B of this module.

Title Page (1 page)

• APA 7th edition format: see “Academic Resources” on your Canvas course page.
• Contain formal academic title that clearly outlines variables under study

(“A Study to Examine…”, “An Examination of…”, etc.)

• Include name, academic institution, and other components of APA7th edition title page

(do not include personal information such as personal addresses or cell numbers)

Executive Summary or Abstract (1/2 to 1 page)

• APA format with no indent on the first line
• About one-half page in length with one or two citations that support the need for the study—no more than one page.
• Provide the reader with a complete overview of the study, including the results or findings of the study at the end of MPA625 – for this reason, students cannot write the complete Executive Summary until the end of MPA625 when results have been determined.

Table of Contents (1 to 2 pages)

• The headings and subheadings of Table of Contents should closely follow the outline of this Appendix B.
• Follow the APA 7th edition format with proper entries and correct right-justified page numbers.
• Students unfamiliar with this formatting can search online for videos demonstrating how to insert dot leaders in Microsoft Word for a table of contents.

Chapter 1 – Introduction (6 to 8 pages)

1. Overview (1 ½ to 2 pages) — Provides an introduction to the study including an overview of the organization under study, individuals under study, etc. There should also be statements that introduce the problem or issue, essentially setting the framework for the problem to be studied. The introductory overview should be between 1 ½ and 2 pages in length and include an appropriate biblical principle.

1. Statement of Purpose (1/2 page) — Provides rationale or purpose of the study that includes the rationale or reason you chose to study this problem. There should be a sentence that specifically states the purpose of the study, such as: The purpose of this study is to examine… This statement of purpose should be no more than one well-developed paragraph and include an appropriate biblical principle.

1. Research Question (1/2 page) — This reflects the research question that must be asked to solve or answer the problem outlined in the Statement of Purpose. The question should be specific and not be too broad or open-ended. It should reflect the same terminology and variables mentioned in the Statement of Purpose. For example, if the Statement of Purpose mentions employee satisfaction as a variable, the Research Question should also mention employee satisfaction for consistency—and not employee motivation, happiness, etc. There should be a sentence that specifically states the research question, such as: The research question of this study contends… (or something equivalent). This section should be no more than one well-developed paragraph and include an appropriate biblical principle.

1. Hypothesis (1/2 page) — This reflects the researcher’s educated guess on the results of the study. The Hypothesis must be a concise declarative statement (not a question) that includes the variables under study and their relationship. The variables should reflect the same terminology and variables mentioned in the Statement of Purpose and Research Question. For example, if the Statement of Purpose mentions employee satisfaction as a variable, the Hypothesis should also mention employee satisfaction for consistency—and not employee motivation, happiness, etc. The hypothesis can be either directional (The hypothesis for this study contends the consumption of carrots will improve) or non-directional (The hypothesis for this study contends the consumption of carrots will change eyesight.). This section should be no more than a well-developed paragraph and include appropriate biblical principles.

1. Plan of Study (2 to 3 pages depending on detail) — Provides an outline of the major working objectives and descriptive tasks for the study, including an appropriate biblical principle. Students are encouraged to lists these various objectives and tasks by course and chronological order. Objectives are broad goals that serve as endpoints for a project, such as scoring a touchdown in a football game. Objectives are achieved or not achieved. Tasks are the detailed work steps taken to achieve a stated objective, such as the preparation required to score the touchdown. Here is an example:

1. Working Objective Identify Topic for Research Project
2. Descriptive Tasks Brainstorm Topic Ideas in Public Administration

Google Topic Ideas

Discuss topic ideas with instructor, mentors, supervisor

Chapter 2 – Literature Review (9 to 11 total pages)

The literature review should contain a minimum of 12 references that include course texts, The Holy Bible, books, articles, and studies from academic sources. It should be noted the literature review should not reflect an annotated bibliography, which is an APA listing of a source followed by a summary.

1. Introduction (1 ½ to 2 pages) — Provides an introduction to the literature review by briefly stating how your research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on your subject while incorporating appropriate biblical principles.

1. Body (7-8 pages) – The body of a literature review can be organized in different ways, but the body of this literature review should be organized by relevant themes. These themes are developed at the discretion of the student but should be centered around the variables under study. A study on the relationship between spirituality and job satisfaction would certainly have ‘Spirituality’ and ‘Job Satisfaction’ among its various themes.
2. Conclusion (1 to 1½ pages) – Discuss the highlights of your literature review with a critique of your major sources. Were the studies reasonably consistent, or was there variation and/or disagreement? How did the literature review enlighten or enhance your understanding of the topic?

Chapter 3 – Methodology (length varies depending on detail)

The Methodology chapter should be straightforward and include steps that are easily understood to facilitate replication, much like a cooking recipe is easily understood for cooks to replicate a dish. However, the methodology should avoid irrelevant detail. If only the ‘time’ is relevant, do not go into detail about ‘building the clock.’ There should be very few citations from other sources as this chapter describes your work.

1. Design (1 ½ to 2 pages) — Discuss the framework for the data collection for your study. Restate the problem and what you hope to accomplish with your data collection and analysis. State whether your study is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Did you collect your own data specifically for the study (primary source), or were you able to repurpose data from another study for your study (secondary source)? What are the primary variables you are attempting to measure? Broadly describe the participants – or subjects under study. Did you gather your data using surveys, interviews, or observations? (Note: Be sure to include actual questions as an appendix to your final project.)

1. Data Collection (length varies but should convey details of data collection process) — Provides a detailed framework for collecting data for the study.

1. Data Analysis – Discuss the steps taken to analyze the data for your study. Begin the analysis by summarizing and illustrating any demographic data (i.e., gender, ethnicity, years at organization, etc.) using descriptive statistics to provide an overall picture of the participants. Transition into focusing your analysis on the major variables outlined in your research question and hypothesis. Too many students have a disconnect between the variables outlined in the research question and their data analysis. If your study examines the relationship between spirituality and job satisfaction, you need tables and charts illustrating that data. Conclude the analysis with broad comments about the results of the data, but don’t compare the data to the research question and hypothesis yet—that comparison will be completed in the next step.

1. Limitations (1/2 page) — Discuss any barriers or obstacles encountered during the data collection and analysis process.

Chapter 4 – Results (1 to 1½ pages)

This chapter presents the results or findings of the study, specifically how the results of the data respond to the initial research question and hypothesis. Did the results agree or disagree with the hypothesis?

Chapter 5 – Conclusion and Discussion (1½ to 2 pages)

This chapter begins by restating the original problem or topic presented in the first chapter and the original purpose for conducting the research. It then moves on to discuss the following topics:

• summary of main points and whether they support, agree with, differ from, etc. the finding of other researchers,
• possible explanations or rationale for the findings based on the researcher’s informed understanding of the topic,
• implications and practical applications of the findings to the public administration profession (i.e., If spirituality is related to job satisfaction, how can public administrators use elements of spirituality to improve satisfaction at the workplace?),
• recommendations for further study (What are other areas of one’s life that can be made better by having a sense of spirituality?), and finally
• end this chapter, and your project, with some reflections on the process and final words.

References

List of all cited references according to APA format.

Appendices

• Approved Research Approval Form (RAF) signed by student and instructor
• Actual survey used for surveys or interview questions for interviews (Note: Surveys, interviews, etc. should always convey informed consent standards to all participants.)
• Other appendices as necessary

***See attached Appendix B Capstone Project ***See attached RAF ***Summary of project attached. ***See below informed consent example. INFORMED

Example of:

CONSENT STATEMENT — The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between level of education and healthy lifestyle habits among employees at the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Please take a moment to voluntarily respond to these questions! Your thoughtful and anonymous responses over the next twenty minutes will help guide the leadership team in developing employee policies that promote the health and well-being of employees throughout the MDHS agency. Your participation in the study acknowledges that you are over the age of 18, and any responses are voluntarily provided to the best of your ability.

*****FYI, My Unit 7 data collection assignment is directly related to this project and the final completed information you upload is to be used on this assignment as well.