research essay

Instructions:

The goal of this project is to get students to research an organization dedicated to improving the quality of lives of Canadians. Students will be responsible for critically assessing an organization, and then forwarding some kind of key argument about why the chosen organization is (or is not) a beneficial feature of Canadian society.

Each research paper will have an introduction that includes a brief description of the organization’s function, a thesis statement, and a paper overview outlining the various sections. In the body paragraphs, the student should include the history of the organization, the effects that the organization has on Canadian society, its strengths, where the organization may be lacking in scope, and any suggestions for future improvement. The student must also describe the research methods they used to assess the organization (consult readings and lecture for Unobtrusive Research week). The conclusion should sum up the paper’s findings, key arguments, as well as state what the implications of the student’s research are without introducing any new information.

Research papers must include a minimum of six (6) academic, peer-reviewed sources (academic books, book chapters, and journal articles). These sources do not all have to directly discuss your chosen organization. Try to cite sources, if possible, from the last five to ten years. Students are also encouraged to cite appropriate government documents or internal reports that have evaluated the organization under study. Please keep in mind that while news articles can be a great way to gain information on your chosen topic, they are not considered to be academic sources.

The final essay should be between 2000-2500 words (roughly 8-10 pages, excluding the title page and bibliography), double spaced, and in Times New Roman, 12-point font. You can cite using any established format (APA, MLA, Chicago, Footnotes, Endnotes, etc.) so long as it is consistent.

Please include your name, student number, course code and section, instructor’s name, due date, and word count on the title page. Please use page numbers and sub-headings in your assignment. You must submit your essay online as either a PDF or Word (.doc) file.

Any findings of plagiarism will result in an automatic ZERO (0%). If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult page 5 of Carleton University’s Academic Integrity Policy.

The assignment must be submitted online through BRIGHTSPACE on or before August 16, 2021 by 11:59pm. Please note that papers submitted via email will not be graded. Assignments that are late will be penalized 3% per day, including weekends.

Organization Suggestions

The following list provides some suggestions for organizations you can write your final research essay on. However, this list is not exhaustive, and ultimately you are permitted to research an organization that is not included on this list. If you are not sure whether your chosen organization is appropriate for the assignment, please contact the instructor.

1. Bell Let’s Talk – Dedicated to moving mental health forward in Canada, Bell Let’s Talk promotes awareness and action with a strategy built on 4 key pillars: Fighting the stigma, improving access to care, supporting world-class research, and leading by example in workplace mental health.

– https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/

2. Black Entrepreneur Program –

– https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/business/advice/blackentrepreneur.html

 

    Committed to enabling economic growth and

 wealth creation for Black entrepreneurs through access to financial solutions and

 advice.

 

3. Outward Bound – Outward Bound Canada is committed to helping Canadian youth change the trajectory of their lives. With young people desiring to thrive in an unpredictable and changing world, OBC, a registered charity, offers social- emotional education through experiential adventures in the outdoors.

– https://www.outwardbound.ca/

4. Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – This organization has two program streams to help parents support their children aged 3-12 to manage either anxiety or behaviour challenges.

– https://welcome.cmhacptk.ca/

5. Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion – A forward-looking social organization with research and learning woven into our DNA, tracing how people identify alongside demographic trends within the Canadian workplace to move employers from diversity to inclusion.

– https://ccdi.ca/