The research project is a multi-step writing assignment that culminates in a before and after analysis of a publicly-traded (NYSE or NASDAQ) US firm that has been broken up by the US government or been subject to disciplinary action for violation of US anti-trust laws.

 

Paper Requirements

The paper will: provide a brief history of the firm and of how antitrust issues led to

the breakup/disciplinary action; discuss the market structure both before and after the breakup/disciplinary action (i.e., using the characteristics enumerated in the textbook for market structures); explain how the nature of goods and services the firm provides to the marketplace have changed; discuss how the firm’s relationship with the US government has changed.

 

The Research Paper will use at least 4 sources (3 academic but not necessarily peer- reviewed sources and at least 1 peer-reviewed academic source). The textbook can be used but does not count toward the minimum 4 sources.

 

 

The Research Paper must include at least two graphs included in the body of the paper (though you may use more), a proper cover page, a references page, table of contents and abstract, have proper APA format throughout the paper (proper margins, proper fonts, page numbers, proper citations), and must be the equivalent of 7 written pages of text using APA properly formatted writing. The cover page, references page, any appendices, table of contents, abstract, and graphs larger than 1/3 of 1 page do not count toward the 7 pages of written text.

The Research Paper will automatically be evaluated for originality using plagiarism detection software. You will find it helpful to review Prof. Battista’s handout “Writing in Economics using APA and Visual Aids: Some Helpful Hints.”

 

 

The Research Paper is worth 200 points.

 

Milestones (MS) – There are 3 Milestones (MS) that must be completed in the process of  writing the Research Paper. The MS’s are required and are worth 70 points of the 200  points of the paper.     

 

• MS # 1, Week 4: Research Topic Proposal: Create a new thread on the Research Topic DB to submit your topic for your research This should be one substantial paragraph in which you submit the name of the firm you will discuss, as well as an explanation of the issue and the type of analysis you will use (breakup or disciplinary), providing specific details of your proposed topic. Worth 10%, or 20 points of the 200 points .
• MS # 2, Week 6: Research Paper Sources: On our Research Paper Source DB, post a list of sources in APA format that you will use in your research paper, with a very brief summary (no more than one paragraph) of each Use One Search to locate appropriate peer-reviewed and academic sources. A video from our SPS librarian Joseph Hartnett, telling you how to use OneSearch

 

through Baruch Newman Library is in the Resources area of our course site.

 

Worth 10%, or 20 points of the 200 points.

• MS # 3, Week 8: Research Paper Outline: Submit an detailed outline of your It should state your working thesis and outline the main point and sub- points of each body paragraph. Example:
  1. Main point #1
     1. Supporting Detail #1
        1. Specific piece of evidence (cite this)
           1. Any fine points/notes to self
        2. Specific piece of evidence (cite this)
     2. Supporting Detail #2
        1. Specific piece of evidence (cite this)
        2. Specific piece of evidence (cite this)

(Please see the Resources area on the course site for an outline template and a sample version of an outline.)

Worth 15%, or 30 points of the 200 points.

• Week 15: Final Draft of Research Paper Due: Submit the final version of your research Late final drafts will be penalized 10% for each day late; after 3 days overdue, the paper will be worth zero points.

Worth 65% or 130 of the 200 points.

 

 

RUBRIC

 

Dimensions	4 Accomplished	3 Proficient	2 Developing	1 Beginning
Sources   Gather, interpret, assess sources and evidence (SLO 1)	Examines and compares information from four academic sources (one of them peer reviewed) to develop a comprehensive analysis or synthesis. The textbook can be used but does not count as a source.	Examines and compares information from four academic source(s) with enough evaluation to develop a coherent analysis or synthesis. The textbook can be used but does not count as a source.	Examines and compares information from three or fewer sources with some analysis, but not enough to develop a coherent analysis or synthesis. The textbook can be used but does not count as a source.	Uses sources without sufficient interpretation or evaluation.
Presentation   Produce a well- reasoned written argument (SLO 3)	All of the following areas  are adequate: The  response is formally written. The response correctly, thoroughly and thoughtfully explains important disciplinary terms or concepts. The response uses APA format correctly all of the time. The response meets or exceeds the page count requirements of the prompt.	Three of the following areas are adequate: The response is formally written. The response correctly, thoroughly and thoughtfully explains important disciplinary terms or concepts. The response uses APA format correctly all of the time. The response meets or exceeds the page count requirements of the prompt	Two of the following areas are adequate: The response is formally written. The response correctly, thoroughly and thoughtfully explains important disciplinary terms or concepts. The response uses APA format correctly all of the time. The response meets or exceeds the page count requirements of the prompt	Fewer than two of the following areas are adequate: The response is formally written. The response correctly, thoroughly and thoughtfully explains important disciplinary terms or concepts. The response uses APA format correctly all of the time. The response meets or exceeds the page count requirements of the prompt
Micro 1   Describes and contextualizes anti- trust laws (SLO 4-A)	Anti-trust laws are clearly and competently described, the rationale behind them provided, and their history briefly but adequately contextualized.	Anti-trust laws are clearly and competently described, but either their rationale or their history is inadequately  discussed.	There is a basic or cursory description of anti-trust laws. The rationale behind anti-trust laws and their history may or may not be acceptable.	All three areas are inadequate.
Micro 2   Provides a history of the firm and the reasons for the	All of the following area are adequate: The response contains an unbiased and complete but concise history of the firm. The	Two of the following areas are adequate: The response contains an unbiased and complete but concise history of the firm.	One of the following areas is adequate: The response contains an unbiased and complete but concise history of the firm. The	None of the following areas are adequate: The response contains an unbiased and complete but concise history of the firm.

 

 

Dimensions	4 Accomplished	3 Proficient	2 Developing	1 Beginning
breakup/disciplinary action (SLO 4-C)	response provides concise, historically-contextualized background of the anti-trust action including important dates, key players and specific actions. The response thoughtfully and correctly analyzes interactions between the firm and the government.	The response provides concise, historically- contextualized  background of the anti-trust action including important dates, key players and specific actions. The response thoughtfully and correctly analyzes interactions between the firm and the government.	response provides concise, historically-contextualized background of the anti- trust action including important dates, key players and specific actions. The response thoughtfully and correctly analyzes interactions between the firm and the government.	The response provides concise, historically- contextualized  background of the anti-trust action including important dates, key players and specific actions. The response thoughtfully and correctly analyzes interactions between the firm and the government.
Micro 3   Explains how the  nature of the goods and services the firm provides to the marketplace have changed. (SLO 4-D)	Clearly and thoroughly describes the essential attributes of the before and after market structures, noting the role that anti-trust action had and continues to have.	Describes the essential attributes of the before and after market structures, but lacks detail or fails to analyze the role of anti- trust action.	Makes a partially inadequate attempt to describe the essential attributes of the before and after market structures, and to note the role that anti-trust action had and continues to have.	Makes a wholly inadequate attempt to describe the essential attributes of the before and after market structures, and to note the role that anti-trust action had and continues to have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2