Purpose

This project provides you with an opportunity to thoroughly research a current issue, technology, or other concept dealing with managed care. The project helps you examine the structure and function of the managed care system, as well as current issues impacting this system. Essentially, you will become an “expert” on the aspect of managed care you choose to review.

Goal of the Project

Write a research paper on a managed care-related topic, thoroughly explaining what it is, why it’s important, and how it fundamentally impacts the managed care system today. Become an “expert” on your topic.

Due Date

Your project is due by the end of Week 09. Along the way, you are responsible to do the research and writing and turn in portions of your project according to the following Time Line. (You will be given specific instructions each week.) Note that the third column shows the percentage value of each assignment in relation to the overall project.

Time Line

Technical Requirements

An original research paper with a body of 6-8 pages. In general, your paper should consist of the following pages:

Title Page – captivating title, your name, title of the course, date

Body – 6-8 pages of introduction, background on your topic, research support, personal evaluation, strong conclusion.

References Cited page – in APA format.

Research and Writing Requirements include:

1. Proper mechanics: clear, concise, complete sentences and paragraphs, proper spelling, grammar and punctuation. (See style handbooks recommended by your college’s Online Library, which you can access through the Resources tab.)
2. Five or six sources for the paper from your research. Your textbook is a good resource. Internet resources should be reliable as at a university or government website. Please use one or two sources as available from your college’s Online Library. Use statements and ideas that you have come up with on your own and blend these in with your research. Do not plagiarize. If you want to use actual words from a source, put them in quotation marks with the source.
3. Follow APA format for citing your sources. For APA guidelines, go to your college’s online library which you can access through the Resources tab.

Evaluation

Your instructor will evaluate your project according to your topic selection, thesis and outline, annotated bibliography, peer review, and final paper delivered in proper format as follows:

1. Select Your Topic
1. Brings early focus to subject matter.
2. Topic has meaningful relationship to the managed care system.
2. Thesis and Outline
1. Strong thesis statement outlines the path that your project will follow.
2. Outline supports thesis, listing topics and sub-topics for your project.
3. Annotated Bibliography
1. Annotated paragraphs for at least 3 sources include summary of the source, an evaluation, and description of source’s usefulness.
2. Properly formatted using APA guidelines.
3. Mechanics follow required standards.
4. Peer Review
   1. Initial post includes rough draft, outline, annotated bibliography, outline, and a brief summary of your work.
   2. Features response to at least one other student’s post, providing detailed suggestions and encouragement.
5. Final Paper
1. Follows all Project assignment details and technical requirements, presenting “a managed care-related topic, thoroughly explaining what it is, why it’s important, and how it fundamentally impacts the managed care system today.”
2. Incorporates suggestions as needed from peer review.
3. Incorporates key elements of a quality research paper:
   1. Strong thesis statement that states the main point of your project and suggests the path that your project will follow.
   2. Attention-getting introduction moving into quick transition that leads into thesis. Captures readers’ attention.
   3. Topic sentences relate back to thesis statement. All information is relevant to thesis.
   4. Logical transitions between paragraphs and ideas provide unity and coherence to the whole. Clear organization.
   5. Concluding paragraph sums up information and reiterates thesis.
4. Mechanics follow required standards. (Spelling, grammar, sentences written according to standard English.)
5. APA format is followed in parenthetical references to research in the body of the text and in the annotated bibliography in the References Page at the end.