RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1

Research Proposal Example in APA Format

Greg House

York College of Pennsylvania

Topic Question:

I would like to investigate whether groups make better decisions than individuals in the workplace. Information that will need to be researched consists of:

  • Why are groups capable of making better decisions than individuals?
  • What aspects need to be present in order for a group to make the best decisions?
  • What aspects within a group can negatively affect a group’s decision making process?
  • How can a group be structured in order to make effective decisions?

What I Will be Investigating?

I will be investigating why groups are more apt to making better decisions in the workplace over the individual. Ultimately, I would like to offer research showing that groups are capable of making better decisions than individuals when certain aspects are present within the group setting. I will recognize reasons why groups can make poor decisions, but show how they are able to overcome these poor aspects.

Specific Audience:

My research paper will be directed towards leaders and managers in organizations that are implementing or would like to operate in a group based structure. Depending on personal experiences, my audience’s attitudes towards group implementation may be positive or negative. It is my goal to appeal to my audience through providing a logical, organized argument on how groups are capable of making the most effective decisions within the workplace.

A Specific Purpose Statement:

I will explain the reasons and research behind why groups are capable of making the best decisions and how to avoid problematic situations that groups may endure while making decisions. My goal is for my research to be used as a guide for leaders and managers in organizations to help them structure groups in order to be the most effective while making decisions.

Depending on the type of organization and the nature of the work, organizations might choose a group or individual based working environment. My research will be effective for those organizations that are suited for a group atmosphere but, are unsure of how to structure groups in order to make the best decisions. I hope to positively affect management’s views of group implementation. My research will be used to encourage employers to use a group environment in order to make the best possible decisions.

How to Research:

  • Use of Scholarly Journals
  • Books relevant to my topic
  • Creditable websites

I expect to use secondary information such as scholarly journals; however, I could interview several employers that have implemented groups in their workplace. Information that is compiled based on a new research is called primary research which will be helpful in verifying my research to a real life situation. Ourtextbook Conversations will not be useful in doing research for my paper.

Statement aboutQualifications todothis Research:

I am qualified to do this research because I have taken several business management and communication classes throughout the past three years. The particular question “do groups make better decisions than individuals” came up in my Organizational Communication class last semester and I thought it was an interesting topic that could be further researched. In researching new material on my topic, I have been prepared through previous classes that I have already mentioned and through other courses that I did research for on particular topics.

My Proposed Timetable
Monday, October 9, 2006 / Research & Sources gathered complete
Wednesday, October 11, 2006 / Bibliography Complete, Work on Rough Draft Proposal
Thursday, October 12, 2006 / Finish Rough Draft Proposal
Friday, October 13, 2006 / Rough Draft Proposal Due
Monday 10-16, Tues 10-16 / Revise RD Proposal, Complete Final Proposal (Essay 2)
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 / Essay 2 (Final Proposal Due)
Friday, October 27, 2006 / Complete Rough Draft of Synthesis Paper
Monday, October 30, 2006 / Rough Draft of Synthesis Paper Due to Edit
Tuesday, October 31, 2006 / Complete revision of Synthesis paper
Wednesday, November 1, 2006 / Synthesis Paper Due
Friday, November 10, 2006 / Complete Rough Draft Research Paper
Monday, November 13, 2006 / Rough Draft Research Paper Due to Edit
Wednesday, November 18,2006 / Complete Final Draft Research Paper
Friday, November 20, 2006 / Final Draft Research Papers Due
11/27, 11/29, 11/31 / Presentations begin…

Annotated Bibliography[SJW1]:

(Supporting Groups in Decision Making)

Burleson, B.R (1984). Decision-making procedures and decision quality. Human Communication Research, 10(4),557-557-574.

The article “Decision-making procedures and decision quality” provides research

about how groups are capable of making effective decisions based on open exchange of information, opinion, and criticism. The article makes it evident that these elements are necessary for optical decision making.The research provided will be beneficial to my paper because it provides conclusive evidence to support my thesis.

Dunphy, S. (2004). Demonstrating the Value of Diversity for Improved Decision Making: The “Wuzzle-Puzzle” Exercise. Journal of Business Ethics, 53, 325-331.

The article “Demonstrating the Value of Diversity for Improved Decision Making: The “Wuzzle-Puzzle” Exercise” illustrates that diversity within a group improves decision making. The exercise addresses the issue by demonstrating the value of diversity for team decision-making within the workplace. The wuzzle-puzzle demonstration ultimately shows that several individuals making up a diverse group seem to have an improved overall decision making performance which is supportive of my thesis.

Sager, K. (1999). Reaching Consensus on Consensus: A Study of the Relationships Between Individual Decision-Making Styles and Use of the Consensus Decision Rule. Communication Quarterly, 47 (1), 67-79.

The article “Reaching Consensus on Consensus: A Study of the Relationships Between Individual Decision-Making Styles and Use of the Consensus Decision Rule” explores decision-making styles of individuals and groups to help organizations that rely on work groups make better decisions.

The research proposed will be beneficial in supporting my thesis through showing how individual personalities and decision making styles can hinder or enhance a group’s decision.

Schwarber, P.D. (2005) Leaders and the decision-making process. Management Decision, 43 (7/8), 1086-1093.

The article “Leaders and the decision-making process” demonstrates how the use of leaders within a group enhance the decision making process because it allows the group to be more efficient by staying on task. The research presented will be beneficial to my paper because it provides and explains an important aspect in optimal group decision making within groups.

[SJW1]Your annotated bibliography should have 10 sources even though this example only shows 5.