Course Description: In a small group setting, students will begin to identify areas of research occurring in the healthcare setting. The student will also complete a research paper focusing on a selected area of healthcare management. Research tools, including literature reviews and basic statistical techniques, are introduced. Writing skills are also emphasized. This course examines written communication as a professional skill with extensive practice in the forms of written communication unique to business.

Prerequisites: None

Textbooks: Introduction to Project Management in Health Research, 1996, Tim Usherwood

A Writer’s Reference, 4^th edition, 1999, Diana Hacker

12 Easy Steps to Successful Research Papers, 1997, Nell W. Meriwether

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals. An official withdrawal is recorded as a “W” grade on the student’s transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an “F” grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).

Class Policy on Attendance:

Students are expected to attend all class sessions. If a student must miss a class session they are expected to contact the instructor prior to the class session. If a student misses more than one four-hour class session, they will be administratively withdrawn from that class.

Class Policy For Assignments:

Students will be given ample time to work on their assignments. All assignments are to be turned in at the end of the class period they are due. THE INSTRUCTOR MUST APPROVE LATE ASSIGNMENTS.

Course Objectives:

At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:

· Prepare a detailed research paper in the area of healthcare management.

· Identify various research tools including literature reviews, relevant library and Internet sources, exploring and brainstorming ideas, and some basic statistical techniques.

· Improve writing skills and develop a knowledge base in research writing.

· Provide an oral presentation of their healthcare research paper by the last class/session.

Assessment:

Rough Draft: 25 points

Library Sources: 15 points

Healthcare Management Research Paper: 25 points

Thesis Statement, Paraphrasing, and APA Style Exercises: 15 points

Current Event Research Articles: 10 points

Class Participation: 10 points

· Teaching strategies include various projects and exercises in class, group discussion, and an informational night at the library.

Grading Scale:

A 90-100 points

B 89-80 points

C 79-70 points

D 69-60 points

F < 60 points

Format for Written Assignments:

Students will adhere to the American Psychological Association Guidelines (APA) style for all papers.

Class Assignments:

Please read all chapters before they are discussed in class.

Session Topic-Assignment

Week #1 Chapter 1 & 2 in Introduction to Project Management in Health Research

Research Writing, p. 51-78 in a Writer’s Reference

Step 1; p. 3-7 in 12 steps to Successful Research Papers

Introduction to Research in the Healthcare Environment

Review Syllabus and Assignments

Overview of Healthcare Management Research Paper

Week #2 Selection of a Healthcare Management Research Topic due this week

Chapter 3 in Introduction to Project Management in Health Research

APA Format, p. 365-385 in A Writer’s Reference

Research Writing, p. 79-93 in A Writer’s Reference

Composing and Reviewing, p. 3-48 in A Writer’s Reference

Step 2, 6, & 7 in 12 Steps to Successful Research Papers

Practice Literature Review Exercise

Current Event Research Articles

Week #3 Library Night

Research Proposal Idea/Thesis Statement due

Thesis Statement, Paraphrasing, and APA Style Exercises due

Step 3, 4, 5, 8 & 9 in 12 Steps to Successful Research Papers

Week #4 Chapter 5 & 6 in Introduction to Project Management in Health Research

Research Design/Methodology

Step 11 & 12 in 12 Steps to Successful Research Papers

Current Event Research Articles

Rough Draft due

Ten Library Sources due

Week #5 Chapter 4 in Introduction to Project Management in Health Research

Ethics/Informed Consent

Current Event Research Articles

Oral Presentations

Healthcare Management Research Paper due

Description of Assignments:

Rough Draft:

Students are expected to complete a rough draft of their healthcare management research paper. This rough draft should include an Introduction, a Research Question, a Literature Review, Benefits of the Research Study, a Conclusion, and a Reference Page. This paper should also be a five to six page double spaced typed paper in APA style. The instructor will provide feedback and return these papers to the students the same night of class.

Library Sources:

Students will provide the instructor with ten library sources that relate to their healthcare management research paper. The student will collect these sources during the informational night at the library.

Healthcare Management Research Paper:

Students are to submit a research paper focusing on a selected area of healthcare management. The research paper should be a five to seven page double-spaced typed paper in APA style that includes an Introduction, a Research Question, Review of the Literature, Proposed Methodology, Budget if applicable, Benefits of the Research, a Conclusion, and a Reference Page of at least ten Sources. Each student will be expected to give a five to ten minute oral presentation to the class on their particular research topic.

Thesis Statement, Paraphrasing, and APA Style Exercises:

Students are expected to complete and turn in practice exercises on Thesis Statement, Paraphrasing and APA Style. These exercises will be handed out during class.

Current Event Research Articles:

Each student will be expected to present a current event article in health research. They should also be able to point out the Research Question, Review of the Literature, Proposed Methodology, Benefits of the Research, and Conclusions drawn from the study. This should be typed out and handed in with a copy of the research article to the instructor.

Class Participation:

Each student should actively participate in class discussion as well as be punctual for each class meeting time.