Cyber bullying Media Ethics and Law Overview COM 448: Final Research Paper Guidelines and Rubric The research paper for this course should be focused on media ethics and law topic.
Choose a topic that piques your intellectual interest and aligns with your major. Do not choose so broadly or so narrow that you cannot cover the topic adequately. Your Research Paper is due at the end of Module Seven. Some possible topic choices: Truth-telling and the media Ethical demands of reporters and their sources Social justice and the media Privacy and the media The commercialization of everyday life Advertising in an image-based culture Public relations and conflicting loyalties Social responsibility and the media Violence in the media Censorship in the media Ethical dilemmas in social media Another topic approved in advance by the instructor Format You will be developing a paper based upon your topic choice, that is a minimum of 6-8 pages (not including cover page or resources) and properly footnoted in APA style. Your paper will contain at least five resources that are directly contextual to your topic. Formatting guidelines: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and citations in APA format. Milestones Module Two: Post topic proposal to 2-2 Discussion: Research Topic Proposal. Module Five: Post introductory paragraph and two resources to 5-2 Discussion: Final Paper Research. Module Seven: Submit completed final research paper in 7-4 Final Research Paper Submission. Rubric Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value Central Idea/Thesis Thesis is well defined and supported by content. Contains well organized main points with topic sentences in each paragraph supported by rich detail that map to thesis Thesis is clear and supported by content. Contains well organized main points with topic sentences in each that map to thesis Thesis is somewhat clear and supported. Some points are still unclear, may be redundant or not strongly related to thesis Thesis is not clear and/or supported by content. Content contains points that lack clarity, are redundant, or not relevant to thesis 25 Analysis Evaluates existing scholarship on topic and the analysis applies course concepts in a way that reveals something new from existing research Evaluates existing scholarship on topic and the analysis articulates how the course concepts apply Logically and accurately analyzes existing scholarship on topic Does not logically and/or accurately analyze existing scholarship on topic 25 Organization The paper is organized effectively. Clear beginning, middle, and end that flows seamlessly in context with topic The paper contains a clear beginning, middle, and end that demonstrates organization and flows in context with topic Paper has beginning, middle, and end but lacks strong organization, effective transitions and/or no clear flow to story Lacks organization, transitions, and flow 15 Writing Mechanics No errors related to punctuation, grammar, and spelling Errors of punctuation, grammar, spelling, and spelling are marginal Errors of punctuation, grammar, and spelling are limited enough that the essay is still able to be understood Errors of punctuation, grammar, and spelling make the essay difficult to understand 15 Application and Integration of Supporting Evidence All of the citations/sources are contextual to the paper and accurately documented in required format Most of the citations/sources are contextual to the paper and accurately documented in required format Some of the citations/sources are contextual to the paper and accurately documented in required format None of the citations/sources support the paper and/or fails to accurately document citations/sources in required format 20 Total 100%
