See attached Report Topics/Individual Research Paper: Select one of the following topics

Report Topics/Individual Research Paper: Select one of the following topics

1. Ratio and Financial Statement Analysis – Your report should critically analyze the benefits and limitations of ratio analysis, explaining what factors impact the meaningfulness of such measures and what new practices or theories may be emerging regarding the application of ratio and financial statement analysis.   Emphasize practical applications and real-world use of ratios synthesizing your readings in published research or survey articles. Use current events and challenges in your report as specific sections, headings, and topics.

2. Challenges faced by Financial Managers in a Changing Economic Environment

Your report should critically assess the challenges faced by financial managers due to changes in the macroeconomic environment and how these impact businesses operations. Emphasize how there are consequences related to changes in strategies and priorities and in the way the departments adjust. Use current events and challenges in your report as specific sections, headings, and topics.

3.  Financial Management Practices and Their Impact on Organizational Performance:

Your reports should critically assess the relationship between organizational performance and financial management practices. These include capital structure decision, investment appraisal techniques, dividend policy, working capital management and financial performance assessment. Use current events and challenges in your report as specific sections, headings, and topics.

** read the rubric carefully. Notice the requirement of an executive summary, introduction, and purpose as outlined in the rubric.

Criteria

Exceptional (90% and above)

Good – meets expectations (80-89%)

Needs improvement (70-79%)

Unsatisfactory (<70%)

Criterion Score

Executive Summary

5 points

Student  
summarizes the key points of the report. It should restate the purpose of the report, highlight the major points of the report, and describe any results, conclusions, or recommendations from the report for scholars in the discipline.

4 points

Student  
summarizes most of the key points of the report including: restating the purpose of the report, highlighting the major points of the report, and describing any results, conclusions, or recommendations from the report for scholars in the discipline.

3 points

Student 
summarizes the key points of the report in a clear, but not focused or sophisticated manner leaving out some of the key points of the report including: restating the purpose of the report, highlighting the major points of the report, and describing any results, conclusions, or recommendations from the report for scholars in the discipline.

2 points

Student 
summarizes the key points of the report in a unclear and confused manner leaving out some of the key points of the report including: restating the purpose of the report, highlighting the major points of the report, and describing any results, conclusions, or recommendations from the report for scholars in the discipline.

Score of Executive Summary,

/ 5

Introduction

5 points

The writing provides an exceptional roadmap for the essay. In addition, the introduction includes meets 
all of the following criteria:

· The introduction contextualizes the thesis statement by referring to larger issues in the discipline.

· The introduction provides rationale for pursuing the thesis by demonstrating a research need or question.

· The introduction articulates how the paper will address the key question or issue being studied.

· The introduction refers to relevant, appropriate scholarly literature.

4 points

The writing provides a clear roadmap for the essay. In addition, the introduction includes meets 
at least 3 of the following criteria:

· The introduction contextualizes the thesis statement by referring to larger issues in the discipline.

· The introduction provides rationale for pursuing the thesis by demonstrating a research need or question.

· The introduction articulates how the paper will address the key question or issue being studied.

· The introduction refers to relevant, appropriate scholarly literature.

3 points

The writing provides a basic roadmap for the essay. In addition, the introduction includes meets 
at least 2 of the following criteria:

· The introduction contextualizes the thesis statement by referring to larger issues in the discipline.

· The introduction provides rationale for pursuing the thesis by demonstrating a research need or question.

· The introduction articulates how the paper will address the key question or issue being studied.

· The introduction refers to relevant, appropriate scholarly literature.

2 points

The writing provides an incomplete roadmap for the essay. In addition, the introduction includes meets 
fewer than 2 of the following criteria:

· The introduction contextualizes the thesis statement by referring to larger issues in the discipline.

· The introduction provides rationale for pursuing the thesis by demonstrating a research need or question.

· The introduction articulates how the paper will address the key question or issue being studied.

· The introduction refers to relevant, appropriate scholarly literature.

Score of Introduction,

/ 5

Argument and synthesis of knowledge

40 points

The argument builds logically upon the thesis with research-based, discipline-appropriate supporting facts, evidence, and/or data.

Student clearly describes major methodologies and practices of the field and implements them in creative and innovative ways.

The writing demonstrates the ability to interpret, analyze, and synthesize information to advance the argument.

32 points

Minor gaps in logic and argument may appear. Supporting facts, evidence, and/or data are evident.

Student describes major methodologies and practices of the field accurately, uses them appropriately in the project.

The writing demonstrates the ability to interpret and analyze information to support the argument.

24 points

Logical arguments may be one-sided, or incomplete, or may be based on inadequate sources.

Student describes major methodologies and/or practices of the field, but may have some omissions or problems in implementation (such as using an adequate methodology, rather than an exemplary one).

The writing demonstrates the ability to summarize information that supports the argument.

16 points

Fuzzy logic may be evident and adequate supporting evidence is lacking.

Student’s work does not accurately or thoroughly describe the major methodologies and practices of the field, may implement them inappropriately.

The writing demonstrates the ability to refer to external information with limited ability to support the argument.

Score of Argument and synthesis of knowledge,

/ 40

Sources and Support

15 points

Student communicates, organizes and synthesizes complex and contradictory information from multiple sources to advance knowledge in the discipline at a professional level.

Student accurately quotes, paraphrases, and cites information in ways that are true to the original context with no errors.

12 points

Student clearly and effectively communicates, organizes and synthesizes complex and contradictory information from multiple sources to advance knowledge in the discipline.

Student quotes, paraphrases and cites information correctly and consistently, using information in ways that are true to the original context, with minimal errors.

9 points

Student communicates results from various sources, but the information is not clearly and effectively communicated or does not advance knowledge in the discipline.

Student quotes, paraphrases and cites information mostly correctly and consistently, in ways that are largely true to the original context.

6 points

Student does not adequately communicate, organize and/or synthesize information from sources and/or does not advance knowledge in the discipline.

Student quotes, paraphrases and cites information but may have many errors or use the information out of context.

Score of Sources and Support,

/ 15

Organization

10 points

The writing flows smoothly and logically from a well-defined thesis. There is a coherence in each sentence and paragraph that relates clearly to the controlling idea using appropriate examples. The flow of information demonstrates logical reasoning without jumps or shifts. The writing contains a thorough introduction, body sections, conclusion, and smooth transitions.

8 points

The writing is organized logically and flows well. Paragraphs are organized to fit the type of essay being written. The writing discusses each controlling idea using appropriate examples. The flow of information demonstrates logical reasoning with minor jumps or shifts. The writing contains an appropriate introduction, body sections, conclusion, and transitions.

6 points

The writing demonstrates rudimentary organization and logical structure, but ideas may be more fully developed and supported by more appropriate evidence.

Paragraphs are somewhat organized to fit the type of essay being written. The writing discusses the controlling idea using prescribed resources or examples. The writing contains a basic introduction and  body sections, but may be missing a conclusion. There may be repetition of thought or ideas. The coherence at times is choppy or flat.

4 points

The writing is noticeably lacking in organization.

Paragraphs are somewhat organized, at least by shape, to fit the type of essay being written. However, the writing lacks discussion of the proposed controlling idea. There may be repetition of thought or ideas.

The writing contains some elements of the introduction and  body sections, but may be missing a conclusion. Transitions are not evident.

Score of Organization,

/ 10

Style

10 points

The writing engages the reader through an original prose style appropriate to the subject. Language is precise and uses terminology appropriate to the discipline. All sentences are solid and reflect mature writing. Variety in sentence structure contributes to the logical flow and enhances readability.  Active voice and passive voice are used appropriately for the subject matter.

8 points

The writing keeps the reader’s attention through a carefully crafted prose style. Language chosen is appropriate to the discipline, but may have minor errors in using terminology. Sentences are strong in thought construct. Variety in sentence structure contributes to the logical flow. Active voice and passive voice are typically used appropriately for the subject matter.

6 points

The writing is clear but could be expressed in a terminology more appropriate to the subject. Sentences are sometimes nonstandard or included fragments/run-ons. There is limited use of sentence variety for logical flow. Active voice and passive voice are used inconsistently.

4 points

The writing lacks clarity and is sometimes confusing. The language chosen is not appropriate to the subject nor the assignment. Sentences are often nonstandard and included fragments and run-ons. There is no evidence of sentence variety used for logical flow. Active voice and passive voice are used inconsistently.

Score of Style,

/ 10

Grammar and Mechanics

10 points

The writing is free of proofreading errors. The writing contains sentences that are always complete and grammatically correct, and free of confusion and ambiguity.

8 points

The writing may exhibit a few minor errors in proofreading, but they do not impair the flow of the reading. The writing contains sentences that are complete or which imply unstated connections and/or conclusions.

6 points

The writing could benefit from additional proofreading, as some errors impede the flow of the reading. The writing contains some grammatical errors easily corrected. Additional proofreading would help eliminate errors.

4 points

The writing exhibits substantial errors in proofreading. The writing is confusing and ambiguous owing to substantial errors of grammar and syntax. There is no evidence of proofreading, editing, or rewriting.

Score of Grammar and Mechanics,

/ 10

Formatting

5 points

Student provides a high-caliber, correctly formatted assignment in the assigned citation style. All citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style.

4 points

Assignment presents an above-average use of formatting skills with few errors in citation style.

Most citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style.

3 points

Appearance of final assignment demonstrates the student’s limited ability to use appropriate citation style formatting.

Some citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style.

2 points

Appearance of the final assignment is distracting. The number of citation style formatting errors impedes easy reading.

Few citations in the text and in the references are accurately cited in the appropriate style.