Project and Group Work Tips for MGT 472

General tips:

--read the Term Paper Requirements carefully.

--make sure your paper and presentation adhere to the assigned topic description.  See Dr. Fisher with any questions.

--elect a group leader to coordinate activities, serve as liaison with Dr. Fisher, etc.  The group leader should ordinarly have a small part of the paper, such as writing the introduction and/or conclusion.

--also designate a group co-leader who will be responsible for coordinating the project in case something happens to the leader.  The leader and co-leader should both always be aware of the project's status and who has what material.

--designate one or more members to assemble and edit the final documents (outline, presentation, draft, and final paper).  Allow considerable time for this step:  this is the hardest--and most important--part.  If only one or two people do this, they should have few if any other duties.  Normally, the member(s) responsible for assembly and editing would also prepare the reference list using information provided by the other members.

--work together on planning:  don't just split up tasks without deciding in detail what each person will do and how it relates to the whole.--consider using Google Docs (docs.google.com) for your outline, presentation, and paper.  The site is set up to allow multiple people to work on the same document, and they can even do so at the same time with a chat window to communicate while working.  The main disadvantage is that the applications are not as powerful as those in Microsoft Office.

--every member should ordinarily write a portion of the draft and final paper except the person(s) who will have primary responsibility for assembling and editing the final paper.  The group leader should have a small part, such as the introduction or conclusion.  The assembly/editing person(s) should be responsible for very little if anything else.

--communicate with each other!  Use phone, e-mail, etc. to keep each other aware of your progress, problems, questions, etc.  If you can't finish your part of the project, make sure everyone else knows so alternate plans can be made.

--see the section below on Dealing with Group Problems if someone in your group isn't doing their share or if you aren't getting a chance to participate.

Outline tips:

--start by finding sources for your topic--see the Suggested Research Sources web page for guidance.  Print each web source, and copy articles you use.  Note that only the first page of each should be turned in.  Make sure that each web page contains the page's title and url (information on how to find these will be given in class).

--meet as a group and fit the information you have found into a logical outline organization.  Both sections and sub-sections are usually necessary.  If a member presents information that doesn't fit, re-direct him or her toward more useful information.

--don't forget to include sections for an introduction (a brief overview of your topic) and a conclusion (a brief summary of your paper's findings).

--check with Dr. Fisher if you are not sure about whether certain references are applicable to your topic.

Presentation tips:

--check with Dr. Fisher in advance if you plan to use anything other than a PowerPoint (v. 2003 and 2007 are OK; some 2010 features may not work) presentation or ordinary web pages.  In particular, you will want to test any video, software that requires installation, or laptop computer in advance so that problems can be worked out.

--if your presentation includes youtube videos, you may find it easier to integrate them into a Prezi ( http://prezi.com/ ) presentation rather than PowerPoint.

--normally, every member of a group should participate in the group's presentation.

--practice and time your presentation to make sure it falls within the required length range.  Presentations that are significantly shorter or longer will be penalized.

--make your presentation to the entire class, not just to Dr. Fisher.

--presentation grading criteria are specified in the Term Paper Requirements page.

--avoid the following common mistakes:

Paper writing tips:

--be sure to read--and follow--the Term Paper Requirements carefully.

--remember that the "draft" (required in regular semesters, not in the summer) is not a "rough" draft.  Grading criteria for the draft and the final paper are the same.

--visit the Suggested Research Sources page to identify research sources.

--visit the Reference and Citation Formats page for instructions for how references should be listed and cited.  No other reference or citation format is acceptable.  Double-check that all citations and reference entries are correct.

--the conclusion should normally be written after the rest of the paper is complete.

--if you don't write well, get help from the AARC writing tutors.  Proper style, grammar, and organization  are essential!  On-line assistance is available from http://mytutor.sfasu.edu/owl .

Dealing with group problems:

If someone in your group isn't doing their share, or if you aren't getting a chance to participate (perhaps because other members of your group aren't cooperating with you in setting meeting times),  let Dr. Fisher know ASAP.  It is always preferable for groups to solve any such difficulties.

Peer evaluations:

Near the end of the semester, each group member will be required to (1) indicate the contributions of every member including him/herself, and (2) provide a suggested percentage score for each group member for each portion of the project (outline, presentation, draft, and final paper).  All peer evaluations will be anonymous, i.e., no record is kept of who gave which evaluation.  Dr. Fisher will determine each individual's grade as a percentage of the group grade based on the peer evaluations and his observations of the group.

Firing a group member:

If a member of a group is contributing little or nothing, consistently failing to meet group-imposed deadlines, and/or interfering with the activities of other group members, the group may (with permission of Dr. Fisher) "fire" the problem member.  If a member is fired, he/she must complete all remaining portions of the project independently from the original group.  All portions of the project that have already been completed must have peer evaluations conducted as specified above.  If the group presentation has not been made at the time of firing, the fired member may not present to the class but may turn in a presentation for grading (slides with narrative).

Firing a member is a three-step process:
(a) the other group members must together prepare a proposal to fire the member.  The proposal must specify what the member has done and/or failed to do that is problematic.  The group must also state what the member must do or refrain from doing to avoid being fired (a member may not ordinarily be fired without having an opportunity to redeem him/her self).  The proposal must provide a specified probationary period of at least two weeks from the date the proposal is turned in (one week in summer) for correction of the problematic behavior.  The proposal must be delivered to Dr. Fisher in electronic form (Word document or e-mail) at least four weeks prior to the last class day (two weeks in summer) and at least two weeks (one week in summer) must remain from the end of the probationary period to the last class day.

(b) the proposal will immediately be forwarded to the problem member, who may respond in one of three ways:  (i) accept being fired without objection; (ii) object to the proposal by providing Dr. Fisher with documentation of how it is inappropriate; or (iii) attempt to resolve the problems during the probationary period.  The member must indicate to Dr. Fisher which of the three actions he/she is taking within one week (within two class days in the summer) of the date the proposal is forwarded to him/her.  Failure to do so will automatically result in the member being fired from the group.  If option (ii) is taken, objections must be provided to Dr. Fisher no later than one week (three class days in the summer) from the date the proposal is forwarded.  If option (iii) is taken, both the member and the group must provide an additional report to Dr. Fisher at the end of the probationary period indicating exactly how the problems have been addressed or not addressed.  The group must at that time indicate whether they recommend firing or retaining the member.

(c)  The final decision to fire a member rests with Dr. Fisher.  The decision will be announced within one week (two class days in the summer) of receipt of the applicable report(s) as indicated above.

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Last updated January 18, 2012