This workplace assignment is called problem-based learning because it involves identifying a problem that you encounter at work place. You will use concepts from organizational behavior to research the problem and devise a solution to it (I realize that implementing your solution within the time constraints of the semester may not be possible), as well as create a measure to assess the success of the solution. The assignment consists of the following steps:

Step 1: Problem Identification

Identify one problem that you are experienced (or have experienced) in the workplace. Think about what particular OB concept(s) might address this problem. You have already written this in the first part of the semester, but now is the time to expand on your initial thoughts and clarify anything based on my feedback and/or our discussions (and talking with a librarian). Note: you must get feedback from me on your proposed paper topic.

Step 2: Problem-Based Research & Solution Plan

Locate and use between 6-8 sources for the purpose of better understanding the problem and finding potential solutions. These should be a mix of scholarly sources (e.g., academic journal articles, books) and articles from the business press. Sources such as Wikipedia are not acceptable. Note: do not use or cite articles I assigned during the semester. You should also not use any sources that your team used for the debate in which you participated.

Using your sources, as well as your own ideas, develop a step-by-step action plan to address the problem you identified. Here you should integrate your research sources to help explain why the steps you created make sense and will contribute to a successful solution. What are the primary independent variables that will help to influence the outcome(s) (dependent variables) in your solution? Include a model that shows your variables use boxes and arrows to show the connections.

You should follow APA guidelines for citing your sources. Refer to this site for help:

o https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

o Using a software program or online tool to keep track of your sources and cite them correctly can be helpful. Ask a Rider librarian about programs such as Zotero (my personal favorite and its free).

o To properly give attribution for other authors work, you must include both IN-TEXT CITATIONS (citing author(s) when you discuss their ideas or findings) and an alphabetized reference list at the end of your paper. Only citations that you use within your paper should appear in your reference list.

o Use direct quotes from articles sparingly; including a sentence here and there might be appropriate, but copying one large block of text after another is not. In any case, when copying another authors words verbatim, you must clearly indicate you are doing so by using quotation marks.

o Note that in your reference list you should NOT list the database from which you obtained it (e.g., Business Source Premier). Instead, follow APA guidelines and list the author(s), date, publication name, etc.

Step 3: Measurement Plan

Devise a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of your solution. How will success be measured? It is important to consider how you would determine your plans effectiveness.

Step 4: Reflection

Reflect on your experience in thinking about solving the problem you identified. What did you learn, and how did it connect to our class? You might consider questions such as:

o What did you learn about yourself while working on this problem solution?

o What was the most difficult part of the process?

o What part of the project required you to master new skills?