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Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Research Paper on Leadership Theory
(100 Total Points)
Paper Topic: Each student must select a paper topic from the list below. The goal of the
research paper is to review research on leadership and discuss how leadership is important in the
work environment. You must select your paper topic and state in writing why you have decided
to select your paper topic. Students should review chapter 13 in the textbook to help select the
paper topic. This assignment is worth 10 points and it is due on February 6th.
Paper Outline and References: An outline of your research paper will be due on March 5th.
Use the sample outline below to create your paper outline. You also need to complete a
Reference page with 4 science-based resources (see sample reference page). The major sections
for your outline are: title page, abstract page, introduction, leadership theory, leadership theories
impact on work environment, leadership and diversity, assessment, research, your reflection,
conclusion, and references. This outline will be edited and returned to you. After the outline is
returned to you, you are expected to incorporate all the edits requested into the final paper. This
assignment is worth 30 points. Late outlines will not be accepted.
Final Paper: The final paper will be due on April 16th. Your paper should be 10 pages long; this
includes the title page, abstract page, paper body, and reference page. This assignment is worth
60 points. Late papers will not be accepted.
General Notes
 Paper must be submitted using APA format. See sample papers for APA style.
 You must use at least 4 science-based resources including your textbook, peer-reviewed
journal articles, peer-reviewed books and book chapters.
 Content from online websites are NOT allowed.
 Please feel free to contact your instructor if you have any questions about references.
Research Paper Topics
Please select one of these topics for your paper. Read chapter 13 in your textbook, which is the
leadership chapter. Please review chapter 13 before selecting your paper topic.
1. Trait theories
2. Behavior theories
3. Contingency theories
4. Leader-Member Exchange Theory
5. Implicit Leadership Theory
6. Transformational Leadership Theory
7. Other leadership theories if approved by your instructor
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Research Paper Sample Outline
Instructions: Follow this general outline format when you create your outline and final papers.
I.
II.
Title Page
Abstract Page
III.
Paper Introduction: (1 paragraph)
A. An overview of the main points you plan to discuss in your paper.
B. Include 1-2 sentences that describe why you selected this leadership theory.
IV.
Describe the leadership theory
A. Theory origin
B. Major concepts/ terminology
C. Theory strengths
D. Theory weaknesses
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
Discuss how the leadership theory impacts the work environment
A. Point 1.
B. Point 2.
Leadership Theory and Diversity: Apply the theory to different groups
A. Women and leadership
B. Ethnic minority individuals and leadership
C. Globalization and leadership
Assessment: how are the main concepts assessed or measured?
A. Point 1.
B. Point 2.
Research on the leadership theory
A. Describe the research that supports the leadership theory
B. Describe the research in opposition to the leadership theory.
Your Reflection
A. Reflection point 1.
B. Reflection point 2.
Paper Conclusion (1 paragraph)
A. Briefly summarize the main points that you discussed in your paper.
References
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APA Style/ Format
American Psychological Association (APA) Style/ Format are the set of procedures or
style rules that are used to display scientific research for psychological publications and
educational papers. These rules can be found in the 6th Edition of the Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association (2010). You can learn more about APA Style by visiting
the following link: http://www.apastyle.org/. For this course, students are required to use APA
Style or Formatting for the outline and final paper. See the sample paper for an example about
using APA Style. I have included some specific points below to help you format your paper in
APA Style. This list is not complete list, but these are important guidelines for applying APA
Style.
Important APA Style/ Format Rules
Point 1: There is only one space between sentences.
Point 2: The entire paper is double-spaced with 1 inch margins all around.
Point 3: The font should be in 12 point Times New Roman format.
Point 4: Use quotes sparingly (1-2 max); keep the quotes brief (i.e., under 40 words).
Point 5: Be sure to include a title paper that looks like the sample paper title page.
Point 6: Be sure to include an abstract page following the format in the sample paper abstracts.
Point 7: Be sure to create and correctly format headings and subheadings in your paper.
Point 8: Be sure to include a Reference page at the end of your paper. All references must be
published within 10 years of the current year (i.e., 2002-2012).
Point 9: Be sure to use spelling and grammar check.
Point 10: Be sure to cite ALL facts in your paper by using within text citations for each fact.
Point 11: Within text citation: author’s last name and the publication year: (Hasan, 2012).
Point 12: Be sure to insert page numbers on the top right hand header.
Point 13: Be sure to include a running head on the title page.
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Reference Instructions
Please review the sample reference page below and create a reference page for your
paper. This will be part of your outline and final paper. I will be checking the references to make
sure they are science-focused and reliable. Remember that you must use a minimum of 4
resources such as your textbook, peer-reviewed journal articles, peer-reviewed books, and book
chapters. You may NOT use online websites as resources. Please consult with your instructor
and or the library if you need assistance in locating science-focused resources. Note that the
sample reference page is in alphabetic order by the first author’s last name. Below is a sample
reference, with (in order) a book, a book chapter, journal article, and textbook. Please use this
format for your reference page. Note that the Reference page is double spaced with 1 inch
margins all around. As with the entire paper the font should be Times New Roman 12 point font.
Additional Points
 No Dated Resources (10 year rule): Only use references that have been published within
10 years of the current year. This rule does not apply to original source material
 Do not use Dictionaries or Encyclopedias (i.e., Encyclopedia of Psychology) as a resource
 Do NOT use websites as resources.
 Do not use Dissertations or Theses papers as these have not gone through the extended
peer-review process.
 Do not use more than 1 textbook, as textbooks often cover the same type of information.
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References
Barreto, M., Ryan, M., & Schmitt, M. (2009). The glass ceiling in the 21st century:
Understanding barriers to gender equality. Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association.
Eagly, A.H., & Carli, L.L. (2004). Women and men as leaders. In J. Antonakis, A.T. Cianciolo,
& R.J. Sternberg (Eds.), The nature of leadership (pp. 279-301). London: SAGE
Publications International Educational and Professional Publisher.
Levant, R. F., & Hasan, N.T. (2008). Evidence based practice in psychology. Professional
Psychology: Research & Practice, 39, 658-662.
Levy, P. (2009). Industrial organizational psychology: Understanding the workplace, 3rd Ed.
Worth Publishers, Incorporated.
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Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Final Paper Score Sheet (60 Points)
1. Title Page (1 point).
2. Abstract Page (2 point).
3. Paper Introduction: A paragraph that describes the major points in the paper (1 point).
4. Describe the leadership theory: origin, terminology, major concepts, strengths and
weaknesses (8 points).
5. Discuss how the leadership theory impacts the work environment (5 points).
6. Leadership and Diversity: women, ethnic minorities, and globalization (7 points)
7. Assessment (5 points)
8. Research: support and opposition (7 points)
9. Personal Reflection (3 points).
10. Conclusion: A paragraph that summarizes the major points in your paper (1 point).
11. Reference Page: with at least 4 science-based resources: textbook, journal articles, peerreviewed books, and book chapters (8 points).
12. American Psychological Association Format, spelling and grammar (8 points).
13. Paper length: 10 pages (4 points).
Additional Comments:
Final Paper Grade: ___ (out of 60 total points)