Microeconomics 201 Research Paper
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 break up/disciplinary action; discuss the market structure both before and after the break up/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 if the firm’s relationship with the US government has changed.
The research paper will use at least 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.) Including graphs and a references page, the research paper will be the equivalent of 7 APA formatted pages and will be presented and documented in APA style. The research paper will be automatically evaluated for originality using plagiarism detection software.
The research paper is worth 200 points.
Milestones
● Week 4: Research Topic Proposal: Create a new thread on the Research Topic DB to submit your topic for your research paper. 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%.
● 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 source. 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%.
● Week 8: Research Paper Outline: Submit an outline of your paper. It should state your working thesis and outline the main point and sub-points of each body paragraph. Example:
I. Main point #1
a. Supporting Detail #1
i. Specific piece of evidence (cite this)
1. Any fine points/notes to self
ii. Specific piece of evidence (cite this)
b. Supporting Detail #2
i. Specific piece of evidence (cite this)
ii. 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%.
● Week 15: Final Draft of Research Paper Due: Submit the final version of your research paper. Late final drafts will be penalized 10% for each day late; after 4 days overdue, the paper will be worth zero points. Worth 65%.