BA 205 - Term Research Assignment Overview & FAQs Understanding the research process is critical in communication. This assignment will allow you to show your research ability, topic and research understanding, and persuasive aptitude. You may complete this assignment on your own or with one other student from the class. If you wish to work with another student, it is up to you to pair up as your instructor will not determine with whom you work. There are two tasks to complete for this assignment: the research process itself and the written understanding of the research. Submit this assignment in the form of a memo. You can use any Microsoft Office template or see Appendix B in your textbook. This assignment is designed to help you understand how to find research that is specific to your topic and is persuasive (along with informative) in content. Part 1 Topic Identification / Audience Analysis This part is about identifying a topic and considering the audience; it consists of two steps. First Step: Choose a topic from the list below. If you dont see a topic which interests you, you are welcome to suggest an alternative topic to your instructor for approval. Your goal is to persuade your audience to do one of the following. To implement an unlimited vacation policy To implement an employee volunteer program To devote XX hours per month on charitable work with XX agency To offer an education-reimbursement program To install a green roof on their building To become a certified B Corp To begin a social media program using XX social media tools To drive enrollment in a retirement plan To join a specific union To increase vaccination against a specific disease in a specific population To conserve water (or other energy type) To generate private investment in a particular business sector To implement an employee sabbatical program To implement all-user restrooms in their facility To implement a paid-parental leave policy To boycott (or support) a specific product or products that support a particular agenda To implement a telecommuting policy To encourage participation in an employee giving campaign Next: Identify the following three items. 1. Who is your audience? Who are you persuading in your assignment? (This must be a business, government agency, or non-profit entity.) Identify the actual decision makers from your audience, by name and title. This cannot be a fictitious audience, it must be existing and research-able. 2. Who are you representing? To be able to persuade you have to be representing a known entity (business, government agency, or non-profit entity). 3. What specifically are you persuading them to do? What do you want the audience to do when you have successfully presented your argument? What is the audiences next step if and when they are persuaded? Once you have completed these two steps, you are prepared to complete the written assignment.