Q Instructions Your assignments for the Research Project Part 1 and Part 2 are posted as separate files in Content - Syllabus - on the right side of the screen. Rubrics for the Part 1 and Part 2 of the Research Project are posted as separate files in Content - Syllabus - on the right side of the screen. The links to the 7th Edition APA citation methodology are posted in Content – Course Resources – Writing Resources. Format of the Research Project (As it is stated in the Syllabus): Both parts of the Research Project report should be about 6-8 pages or more double-spaced typewritten pages (without tables and graphs). The assignments for both parts include suitable comparative, quantitative and qualitative analyses and conclude with a specific and supported recommendation and reflection. The Research Project (Parts 1 and 2) must be posted to the LEO Student Assignments as Attachments. Attachments are limited to a maximum two files in doc, docx., xls. xlsx., or rtf. formats. OTHER FORMATS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE, will not be reviewed or graded. Please note that hand-written and scanned works, pdf. files, jpg. files, as well as files posted in google drive, will not be accepted or graded. Please note that starting from the Fall 2020 semester the UMGC moved to the 7th Edition of the APA Style. The links to the 7th Edition of the APA Style methodology are posted in Content – Course Resources – Writing Resources. All works must be Word processed. Handwritten and scanned work will not be accepted and graded. In accordance with the UMGC Academic Policy, notes taken for papers and research projects should accurately record sources of material to be cited, appropriately quoted, paraphrased or summarized, and papers and research projects should acknowledge these sources in the appropriate places in the text of the paper as well as in a reference list at the end of the paper, in accordance with accepted citation practices. No more than 20% of the text of the project should be made up of quotes. Written projects: • Must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font, with one-inch margins • Must have the title page in APA-7th style • Must have in-text citations in APA-7th edition style • Must have reference list in APA-7th edition style. Please note that you must reference the data you are using for the project • Must be prepared using word processing software (Microsoft Word preferred) PRESENTATION OF PAPER AND WRITING (15%) of the project grade): -Organization, Format and Presentation of Paper including the Title page, Introduction, Body, and Summary (4% of the project grade) Use of Tables, Figures and Other Graphics to Summarize and Support Analysis Presented in the Paper (3% of the project grade) Logical and Smooth Flowing Transitions and Relationships among Sections of the Written Report (3% of the project grade) Research Sources and Significance of Research Information and Data, Use of APA Citation Methodology (5% of the project grade) Essential research data, financial calculations and other documentation as necessary to support your recommendation should be referred to in summary form in your report and attached in detail as enclosures. All major sources should be referenced. There is no set limit to the size of the enclosures, but it is recommended that only essential enclosures be attached. You should use the reference list to identify any remaining supporting documents you wish to include. Rubric Name: Part 1 Project Rubric Print Rubric Criteria Excellent (90 and Above) Good (80 and Above) Acceptable (70 and Above) Below Average (60 and Above) Poor (30 and Below) Incomplete (20% and Below) Criterion Score Introduction (3% of the paper grade) 3 points Outstanding and very thorough development and articulation of a short introduction, explains the purpose of the paper, and provides an overview of the contents that follow (one short paragraph). 2.4 points A good effort is made to develop a short introduction, explains the purpose of the paper, and provides an overview of the contents that follow (one short paragraph). 2.1 points The project contains some a short introduction. However the introduction does not explain the purpose of the paper, and does not provide an overview of the contents that follow. 1.8 points Only a superficial effort to develop a short introduction. 0.9 points Only a poor effort to develop s short introduction. 0 points The student did not complete this part of the project or the student's effort unworthy of credit Score of Introduction (3% of the paper grade), / 3 Trend analysis. (Prepare, analyze and interpret financial information) (20% of the paper grade) 20 points Outstanding effort to develop trend analysis of the most significant financial performance results. 16 points A good effort to develop trend analysis of the most significant financial performance results 14 points Satisfactory effort made to present some data for the trend analysis of the most significant financial performance results but the analysis should be considerably more developed. 12 points Only a superficial effort to develop trend analysis of of the most significant financial performance results 6 points Only poor effort to develop trend analysis of of the most significant financial performance results 0 points Virtually no effort to develop trend analysis of the most significant financial performance results; unworthy of much credit Score of Trend analysis. (Prepare, analyze and interpret financial information) (20% of the paper grade), / 20 Financial ratios trends analysis of the assigned company and industry comparatives (Prepare, analyze and interpret financial information) (25% of the project grade) 25 points Excellent and successful effort to implement financial ratio analysis of the assigned company and industry comparatives; very clear linkages between financial ratio results and investment decisions and recommendations; 20 points A good effort to develop financial ratio analysis of the assigned company and industry comparatives, the result are well explained and analyzed 17.5 points Some effort made to develop financial ratio analysis of the assigned company and industry comparatives, however the result are not explained and analyzed. 15 points Below average effort to develop financial ratio analysis of the assigned company and industry comparatives; not worthy of credit 7.5 points Only a poor effort to develop financial ratio analysis of the assigned company and industry comparatives; not worthy of credit 0 points The student did not complete this part of the project or the student's effort unworthy of credit Score of Financial ratios trends analysis of the assigned company and industry comparatives (Prepare, analyze and interpret financial information) (25% of the project grade), / 25 DuPont analysis of the assigned company. Compare with main competitor. (Apply Financial Theories to Solve Financial Problems) (17% of the project grade) 17 points Successful implementation of DuPont analysis of the company and provides a very clear linkage between DuPont analysis and investment decisions and recommendations. 13.6 points A good effort to develop DuPont analysis of the assigned company, the result are well explained and analyzed. 11.9 points Some effort made to develop DuPont analysis of the assigned company, however the result are not explained and analyzed. 10.2 points Below average effort to develop DuPont analysis of the assigned company. 5.1 points Only a poor effort to develop DuPont analysis of the assigned company. 0 points The student did not complete this part of the project or the student's effort unworthy of credit Score of DuPont analysis of the assigned company. Compare with main competitor. (Apply Financial Theories to Solve Financial Problems) (17% of the project grade), / 17 Develop a specific recommendation, with supporting rationale, will THE COMPANY be financially sustainable over the next two to three years, and which steps should be done to improve its financial stability? (15% of the paper grade) 15 points Outstanding and very thorough effort to explain whether the assigned company's recent trends and results in financial performance is of sufficient financial strength, will THE COMPANY be financially sustainable over the next two to three years, and which steps should be done to improve its financial stability. 12 points Very good effort made to explain whether the assigned company's recent trends and results in financial performance is of sufficient financial strength, will THE COMPANY be financially sustainable over the next two to three years, and which steps should be done to improve its financial stability. There are no significant gaps in the analysis 10.5 points Some effort made to explain whether the assigned company's recent trends and results in financial performance is of sufficient financial strength, will THE COMPANY be financially sustainable over the next two to three years, and which steps should be done to improve its financial stability, but there are significant gaps in the analysis 9 points Below average effort made to explain whether the assigned company's recent trends and results in financial performance is of sufficient financial strength, will THE COMPANY be financially sustainable over the next two to three years, and which steps should be done to improve its financial stability. 4.5 points Only a poor effort to explain whether the assigned company's recent trends and results in financial performance is of sufficient financial strength, will THE COMPANY be financially sustainable over the next two to three years, and which steps should be done to improve its financial stability. 0 points The student did not complete this part of the project or the student's effort; unworthy of credit Score of Develop a specific recommendation, with supporting rationale, will THE COMPANY be financially sustainable over the next two to three years, and which steps should be done to improve its financial stability? (15% of the paper grade), / 15 Reflection – the student should write a paragraph in their own words reflecting on specifically what they learned from the assignment and how they think they could apply what they learned in the workplace. (5% of the project grade) 5 points Outstanding and very thorough effort to write in their own words reflecting on specifically what they learned from the assignment and how they think they could apply what they learned in the workplace. 4 points Very good effort made to write in their own words reflecting on specifically what they learned from the assignment and how they think they could apply what they learned in the workplace. 3.5 points Some effort made to to write in their own words reflecting on specifically what they learned from the assignment and how they think they could apply what they learned in the workplace. 3 points Below average effort made to to write in their own words reflecting on specifically what they learned from the assignment and how they think they could apply what they learned in the workplace. 1.5 points Only poor effort made to to write in their own words reflecting on specifically what they learned from the assignment and how they think they could apply what they learned in the workplace. 0 points The student did not complete this part of the project; unworthy of credit. Score of Reflection – the student should write a paragraph in their own words reflecting on specifically what they learned from the assignment and how they think they could apply what they learned in the workplace. (5% of the project grade), / 5 Organization, Format and Presentation of Paper including the Title page, Introduction, Body, and Summary. Each section of the paper must begin with sub-headings. Please use the sub-headings included in the assignment (4% of the project grade) 4 points Paper is organized and very easily followed. The paper follows APA format and contains no or very few errors. 3.2 points Paper is neatly presented without major blemishes and is generally well-organized 2.8 points Paper has prominent blemishes in presentation and may have some weaknesses in organization 2.4 points There appears to be a below average logical organization of the paper's contents 1.2 points There appears to be a poor logical organization of the paper's contents 0 points The student did not complete this part of the project or the student's effort unworthy of credit Score of Organization, Format and Presentation of Paper including the Title page, Introduction, Body, and Summary. Each section of the paper must begin with sub-headings. Please use the sub-headings included in the assignment (4% of the project grade), / 4 Use of Tables, figures, and other graphics to summarize and support analysis presented in paper (Research, collect, synthesize and interpret data by applying appropriate technology tools to solve business problems) (3% of the project grade) 3 points Tables, figures and other graphics are very descriptive and provide exceptionally strong support for the paper; there are no errors in labels or in the numbering sequence 2.4 points Tables, figures and other graphics are descriptive and provide a sufficient support for the paper; they are properly labeled and numbered 2.1 points Tables, figures and other graphics provide marginal support for the paper; some labels may be incomplete; there may be some problems with the numbering sequence 1.8 points Use of tables, figures and other graphics in support of paper is below average. 0.9 points Use of tables, figures and other graphics in support of paper is poor. 0 points The student did not complete this part of the project or the student's effort unworthy of credit Score of Use of Tables, figures, and other graphics to summarize and support analysis presented in paper (Research, collect, synthesize and interpret data by applying appropriate technology tools to solve business problems) (3% of the project grade), / 3 Logical and smooth flowing transitions and relationships among sections of the written report (Communicate, collaborate, lead and influence across the organization to achieve organizational goals) (3% of the project grade) 3 points Transitions are used throughout the written analysis and provides a logical transition from topic to topic. 2.4 points Good transitions used in most sections 2.1 points Some transitions used in paper 1.8 points Below average effort made to provide appropriate transitions 0.9 points Only a poor effort made to provide appropriate transitions 0 points The student did not complete this part of the project or the student's effort unworthy of credit Score of Logical and smooth flowing transitions and relationships among sections of the written report (Communicate, collaborate, lead and influence across the organization to achieve organizational goals) (3% of the project grade), / 3 Research sources and significance of information and data applying appropirate technology tools to solve business problems, APA citations, double-spaced, 12-point font Times New Roman (5% of the project grade) 5 points Successful identification and use of appropriate and professional research sources including Library Search Engines, Websites, S&P, SEC, stock exchanges, Morningstar, NYSE, Competitors, 10K Report, analyst reports, news releases, articles, etc.; appropriate and accurate documentation, APA citations are accurate and of the highest level. 4 points A good effort to identify and use appropriate and professional and supporting research sources; appropriate and professional use of APA documentation, use of double spaced, with one-inch margins, and use 12-point Times New Roman font. 3.5 points Some effort to identify and use appropriate and professional and supporting research sources with some documentation 3 points Below average effort to use professional and supporting research sources 1.5 points Only a poor effort to use professional and supporting research sources 0 points The student did not complete this part of the project or the student's effort unworthy of credit Score of Research sources and significance of information and data applying appropirate technology tools to solve business problems, APA citations, double-spaced, 12-point font Times New Roman (5% of the project grade), / 5 Total Score of Part 1 Project Rubric, / 100 ________________________________________ Overall Score Excellent (90 and Above) 90 points minimum Good (80 and Above) 80 points minimum Acceptable (70 and Above) 70 points minimum Below Average (60 and Above) 60 points minimum Poor (30 and Below) 20 points minimum Incomplete (20% and Below 0 points minimum