GB 510-130 Business Research Methods
Fall 2014
Online Section
August 25 – December 12, 2014
Instructor: Dr. Janea Johnson
Phone: 404-723-5654
Email: janeajohnson@tamuct.edu
Office Hours: I will be available through the Blackboard Classroom at least 5 days per week. I will answer all
questions within 24-36 hours of the posting time.
Access to the Blackboard classroom is at: https://tamuct.blackboard.com
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1.0
Course Overview and description: Business Research Methods introduces students to the nature,
scope, and significance of research and research methodologies. Additionally, the course studies primary and
secondary research methods with applications to specific problems, using qualitative and quantitative
designs for individual investigation on current problems within a student's area of interest. Students will
complete an individual research proposal based on a business topic of interest, using the course’s textbooks
and selected scholarly and peer reviewed sources.
Prerequisite: There are no official prerequisites; however, students will be required to identify appropriate
statistical methods in the methodology section of their project.
2.0
Course Objectives: The student will be able to select a research topic, conduct initial research to
develop appropriate problem statements, research questions, and hypotheses so that an appropriate
research method can be selected. The student will also be able to develop a literature review and a research
methodology based on the selected topic. Additionally, students will use specified manuscript requirements
in preparing scholarly research proposals. Students will demonstrate mastery by achieving 80% on each
assignment, as outlined in the various learning weeks.
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2.1
Competency Goals Statements (certification or standards)
2.11 Develop a scholarly research proposal in which the problem, purpose, research questions, and
hypotheses are clearly defined by achieving 80% on associated assignments, discussion questions, and
responses to student posts. The specific outcomes are listed in SLOs 2.21, 2.24 and in Creswell Chapters 1, 2,
4. Support for the outcomes is found in APA Chapters 1-4, 6, 7.
2.12 Develop a scholarly research proposal in which an appropriate literature review is conducted by
achieving 80% on the Literature Review section of the individual proposal grading rubric. The specific
outcomes are listed in SLOs 2.22, 2.24 and in Creswell Chapter 3. Support for the outcomes is found in APA
Chapters 1-4, 6, 7.
2.13 Develop a scholarly research proposal in which an appropriate methodology section is developed,
including the proper identification of populations, samples/sample sizes, research procedures, and statistical
methods, by achieving 80% on the Methodology section of the individual proposal grading rubric. The
specific outcomes are listed in SLOs 2.23, 2.24 and in Creswell Chapters 5-9. Support for the outcomes is
found in APA Chapters 1-7.
2.2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
2.21 Demonstrate proficiency in defining a research problem, identifying variables or phenomena,
identifying research designs, and developing purpose statements, research questions, hypotheses, central
questions, and sub questions, by achieving 80% on associated assignments, discussion questions, and
responses to student posts (Creswell Chapters 1, 2, 4; APA Publication Manual Chapters 1-4, 6, 7).
2.22 Demonstrate proficiency in conducting a literature review by achieving 80% on the Literature Review
section of the individual proposal grading rubric (Creswell Chapter 3; APA Publication Manual Chapters 1-4,
6, 7).
2.23 Demonstrate proficiency in developing a research methodology for qualitative or quantitative
designs, using appropriate statistical methods for data analysis, by achieving 80% on the Methodology
section of the individual proposal grading rubric (Creswell Chapters 5-9; APA Publication Manual Chapters 17).
2.24 Demonstrate proficiency in writing a scholarly research proposal, using appropriate manuscript
writing procedures and considering ethical issues, by achieving 80% overall on the individual proposal
grading rubric (Creswell, Chapter 9; APA Publication Manual Chapters 1-7).
2.3
Meeting the Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes: In meeting the course objectives
and learning outcomes, students will review required topics given in the required/optional textbooks,
research and provide scholarly answers to module discussion questions, and provide scholarly responses to
student posts within the discussion forums. Students will use online peer-reviewed sources, and use the
Research Proposal – Project Checklist, in the research, development, and writing of the research proposals.
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3.0
Required Textbooks:
3.1
Text: Creswell J. W. (2012). Educational research: planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative
and qualitative research (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. ISBN: 978-0-13-136739-5.
3.2
Text: American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: Author. ISBN-13: 978-1-4338-0561-5
3.3
Text: Adams, J., Khan, H., Raeside, R. & White, D. (2007). Research methods for graduate business and
social science students. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. ISBN: 978-07619-3589-6
3.4
Text: Galvan, J. L. (2013). Writing literature reviews (5th ed.). Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing. ISBN:
978-1-936523-03-0
NOTE: A student of this institution is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from a universityaffiliated bookstore.
3.5
Research Proposal – Research Project Checklist: Provided in the Essay/Manuscript Writing Aids folder
in the Black Board Course Content for the course.
4.0
Course Requirements:
4.1
Online Course: This course is completely online and will be conducted in an asynchronous mode. The
asynchronous mode does not require the students or the instructor to be online at any specified day or time.
Daily work is completed by the student according to the weekly schedule in this syllabus, but at a time that is
convenient to the student. This mode does require the instructor to be available (online), at least 5 days a
week, to answer questions. Students are responsible for ensuring constant access to the Internet and
operability of their personal computers. The week is counted as Monday – Sunday (with Sunday as the last
day of the learning week).
4.2
Course Classroom: The classroom will be in Blackboard under this course’s name and section
number. Access to Blackboard is through the Texas A&M – Central Texas website:
https://www.tamuct.blackboard.com. Please refer all technical problems to the Blackboard help desk;
contact information is on the Blackboard login page.
4.21 Order of work: The order of work should be: Read the weekly instructor notes, found within each
learning week, read the associated topics in the text and the provided useful presentations, conduct
additional research on the topics through the online library databases, answer the discussion questions,
respond to your class members, and research and complete your associated assignments.
4.3
Class Discussions: Select Discussions from the menu found on the left side of the Blackboard class
home page. All discussions and questions will be placed in their respective topics for ease of understanding
by all class members and the instructor. All entries are threaded so that you may easily see a question and
the respective responses to that question. All class members are invited to fully participate in the
discussions, assisting their class members when they are able. This means class members may answers
questions if they know the answers. The instructor will always read each question and the respective
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answers to ensure correctness and accuracy.
4.4
Participation: Participation is very important online. You will be expected to participate two out of
seven days a week in different discussions and to contribute at least one substantive discussion message on
each of those 2 days. Participation is only counted in the Participation forum (Participation Discussion
Thread). This is a required part of your grade. Participation consists of messages you post above and
beyond graded assignments (i.e. discussion question answers ARE NOT considered participation) – this
would consist of new ideas, your perspectives, pointed follow-up questions, etc. Participation must relate to
the weekly learning topics (see the instructor notes for the week). Discussion question responses, to other
students’ answers to the discussion question, will count towards the class participation requirement.
However, the discussions regarding the DQs must be “brought” to the Participation Discussion Thread.
Participation is not restating the definitions of concepts from the text. However, participation would include
the restatement, if the student discusses an application of the concept.
You will find it is much easier to keep up with an online class when you are logging in and participating
regularly. Please note that both quantity and quality are important considerations when participating. For
example, a message which says simply, "I agree," does not constitute participation because it does not add
anything of substance to the discussion. Therefore, all of your participation posts, must be supported from
literature, meaning you must provide a citation/reference, either to credit a source (via paraphrasing or
quoting) or supporting your opinions/assertions. References and citations must be formatted according to
APA. The length of a participatory post should be between 100 – 300 words.
4.41 Participation Grading: Each week you can earn a maximum of 2 points for participation. Each day
that you participate, you will receive 1 point. Any day that you do not post any substantive messages, you
will receive 0 points. Participation is not required in Week 16. Extra credit will not be granted in that final
week.
4.5
Assignments: All assignments must be completed and turned in as indicated on the schedule. Late
assignments will be reduced by 20% per day, unless prior coordination is conducted with the instructor. Late
assignments will not be accepted after the third day (weekend days are included). All essay assignments will
adhere to the American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual requirements for manuscripts.
Additionally, all papers will have an APA formatted title page, and an APA formatted reference page – unless
otherwise noted by the instructor. Finally, students will submit the essay and research proposal assignments
to the Turnitin plagiarism checking service through the link provided in the Blackboard Classroom (See
subparagraphs 4.51-4.59 for instructions). Each week you will be required to answer a minimum of two
discussion questions as per the instructions in paragraph 4.6.
4.51 Submit your assignments under the correct assignment in Blackboard and then log off the web site.
4.52 Return to the web site after 10-45 minutes (time varies based on the size of the paper and program
usage).
4.53 Check your Similarity Index, both color (should be green) and number.
4.54 The ideal index is between >1% and 0% (Correct and resubmit as needed – see paragraph 4.55).
4.55 Essays and research projects with 5% or less will be accepted for grading, all others will be returned
for revision and will be counted late (see late assignments statement).
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4.56 Consider your assignment turned in (once submitted to TURNITIN) when the due date/time has
passed. I will download from TURNITIN.
4.57 Any assignment with 20% or more similarity will graded as a zero (0). Plagiarism will not be tolerated
in this course.
4.58 Recycling assignments from previous courses is not allowed.
4.59 Student refusal to use APA manuscript formatting on any assignment will result in a zero (0) grade for
that assignment.
NOTE: If you submit your paper to TURNITIN multiple times, the processing delays for the second and
subsequent submissions will be between 24-48 hours, for each submission. Plan accordingly; I will
download the assignments from TURNITIN on time.
4.6
Discussion Questions: Answer one of the provided discussion questions, in each learning week.
Discussion question responses should be at between 150-300 words. Post discussion question responses, in
the Discussion Questions forum in the threads provided. To respond, highlight the appropriate thread, click
on Reply, type your response, and send. Please do not start a new thread for the weekly discussion questions
in the Discussions Questions forum.
Unlike your formal written assignments, I do not require your discussion question responses to adhere to
specific formatting requirements (NOTE: references and citations must be formatted according to APA).
However, please make sure to proofread carefully. Grammar and spelling errors may affect other students’
understanding. Each correctly answered and substantive discussion question is worth 2 points. I expect your
discussion question responses to reflect critical thought; therefore, for each discussion question, cite at least
one reference supporting your answer. References may include the course’s current textbooks and articles
from the Texas A&M University – Central Texas online library (SLOs: 2.21 – 2.24).
4.7
Essay: Select one peer reviewed qualitative study and one peer reviewed quantitative study from the
online databases in the university’s library. Critically analyze each study’s problem statement, purpose
statement, and research questions, as related to Creswell (2012). Compare and contrast the problem,
purpose, and research questions of the two studies. Based on Creswell, explain how each study could be
improved, with relation to the problem, purpose, and research questions. You will use a minimum of 4
references for this assignment, including your textbooks. Word count will be between 750-1000 words.
Submit the assignment to the Turnitin assignment link found in Assignments in Blackboard (SLOs: 2.21,
2.24).
4.8
Research Proposal: Throughout this course, you will be developing the main elements contained
within a quantitative research proposal. By the end of the course, you will have completed an individual
academic research proposal, including the research background, problem and purpose, research question
and/or hypotheses, literature review, and method. Upon the start of this course, you will need to begin
thinking of a business, economic, or human resource area of focus, within which you will research a problem.
As instruction is completed in particular areas of the research process, you will need to complete those
portions of your individual research proposal. The proposal will also follow the standards for an APA
manuscript and all discussion concerning the study (introduction and methodology sections) will be written
in future tense. The manuscript word count will be between 4500 – 6000 words and a minimum of 25
scholarly sources (not including your textbooks) in the list of references (approximately 20 double spaced
pages, not including the title page, references, appendixes, figures, and tables). See the appendix for the
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grading rubric (SLOs 2.21 – 2.24).
Note: You will refer to (and use) the Research Proposal/Project Checklist to ensure you do not leave
important section out of your proposal.
4.81 Research Problem: Select a business, economic, or human resource area of focus. Develop a wellcharacterized research problem statement for this area. You will use a quantitative or mixed methods
design. Refer to Chapters 10 – 12, 16 for quantitative/mixed designs. The problem statements will be used
for your final research proposal. Use of references other than your textbook is required. Word count is
dependent on your well-characterized problem statement. This assignment will require the proper use of
APA and will be formatted accordingly. Develop a proposal title page and references for this initial
assignment. Submit the assignment to its associated assignment link found in Assignments in Blackboard
(See Competency Goal 2.11).
4.82 Purpose Statement and Research Questions/Hypotheses or Central Phenomenon/Sub Questions:
Based on your approved research problem develop a purpose statement (ensure variables are in their proper
positions) and appropriate research questions and/or hypotheses that will support your data collection in
resolving the problem. Additionally, propose at least two research methods or designs that can be used to
answer the questions and test the hypotheses, providing advantages and disadvantages of each. Finally,
recommend one of the two methods for your use in the final study (Note: this information will be relocated
to the method section in your proposal). Append this required information to the corrected copy of your
Individual Problem Statement assignment. Continue with the proper use of APA. Submit the assignment to
its associated assignment link found in Assignments in Blackboard (See Competency Goal 2.11).
4.83 Research Literature Review Outline: Based on your initial research, develop an outline for the
literature review. The outline will consist of an introduction to the literature review, followed by an outline
of major paragraph headings (primarily level 1 and 2 headings). Append this assignment to your corrected
problem/purpose/RQs assignment. Use of the Research Proposal/Project Checklist is required; ensure you
include points that are particular to your study. Submit the assignment to its associated assignment link
found in Assignments in Blackboard (See Competency Goal 2.12).
4.84 Research Methodology Outline: Based on the purpose statement and research questions, develop an
outline for the methodology section. The outline will consist of an introduction to the methodology, followed
by an outline of major paragraph headings (primarily level 1 and 2 headings). Append this to the corrected
literature review outline assignment. As part of the outline, you must include a short discussion of the
following:
•
•
•
•
•
Target population
Sample size (with method of determination)
Crosswalk of the variables, listed within your purpose/RQs, with data that would be collected
Type of data for each variable
Statistical method based on the previous points
Use of the Research Proposal/Project Checklist is required; ensure you include points that are particular to
your study. Submit the assignment to its associated assignment link found in Assignments in Blackboard
(See Competency Goal 2.13).
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4.85 Research Proposal: The research proposal will consist of the following sections: introduction,
background, problem, purpose, significance of the study, research questions / hypotheses / central
phenomenon/ sub questions, definitions, limitations/delimitations, literature review, method, anticipated
ethical issues, references. Appendixes are optional. The proposal will also follow the standards for an APA
manuscript and will be written in future tense. Submit the assignment to the Turnitin assignment link
found in Assignments in Blackboard (See Competency Goals: 2.11 – 2.13).
4.86 Research Proposal Manuscript Section Headings: Use the following as the Level 1 headings for the
individual research proposal or project (refer to the research proposal – project checklist for subparagraphs):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction (section) (Word “introduction” not used – see APA; the items below will have an APA Level
1 heading format)
o Background
o Problem
o Purpose
o Significance of the Study
o Research Questions / Hypotheses / Central Phenomenon/ Sub Questions
o Definitions
o Limitations/Delimitations
Literature Review (section) (APA Level 1 Heading)
Method (section) (APA Level 1 Heading)
Ethical Considerations (section) (APA Level 1 Heading)
Summary (APA Level 1 Heading)
References (Not APA Level 1 Heading, same as title – see APA)
Appendixes
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5.0
Grading Criteria
5.1
Grade Computation: Students earn their course grades by effectively completing scheduled
assignments; no extra credit assignments are given. To pass this course satisfactorily, students must
complete each of the graded items listed below. Failure to submit appropriate documents for scoring in each
category may result in a failing grade.
5.11 See Appendix A for the assignment grading rubrics.
5.2
Grading Scale:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89.99%
C = 70-79.99%
D = 60-60.99%
F = 59.99 % & below
Final grades will be calculated as follows:
Item
Essay
Participation (2 points/week)
Discussion Questions (15 DQs, 2
points each)
Research Problem
Purpose Statements and
Research Questions
/Hypotheses or Central
Phenomenon/Sub Questions
Literature Review Outline
Methodology Outline
Individual Research Proposal
TOTAL
Points
Percentage
15
8%
30
15%
30
15%
15
8%
15
8%
15
8%
15
8%
65
33%
200
100%
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6.0
Course Calendar
COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS
WK
Class/Activity
1
25-31 Aug
2
1-7 Sep
(1 Sep L-Day)
3
8-14 Sep
4
15-21 Sep
Initial Research
Process
5
22-28 Sep
6
29 Sep-5 Oct
7
6-12 Oct
8
13-19 Oct
9
20-26 Oct
10
27 Oct - 2
Nov
11
3-9 Nov
12
10-16 Nov
(11 Vet Day)
13
17-23 Nov
Subject
Assignments Due (Turn in date) (Check
Blackboard for updated assignments)
DQ: 31 Aug
Participation
Intro / APA
Familiarization with the Blackboard
class/Syllabus/APA Manual (SLO 2.24)
APA
Familiarization with the Blackboard
class/Syllabus/APA Manual (SLO 2.24)
Initial Research
Process
Identifying a research problem (SLO
2.21: Creswell Chapters 1, 2, 4; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-4, 6, 7)
DQ: 14 Sep
Participation
Identifying a research problem (SLO
2.21: Creswell Chapters 1, 2, 4; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-4, 6, 7)
Developing the purpose, RQs /
Hypotheses / CQs and Sub Questions
(SLO 2.21: Creswell Chapters 1, 2, 4;
APA Publication Manual Chapters 1-4,
6, 7)
Developing the purpose, RQs /
Hypotheses / CQs and Sub Questions
(SLO 2.21: Creswell Chapters 1, 2, 4;
APA Publication Manual Chapters 1-4,
6, 7)
DQ: 21 Sep
Participation
Initial Research
Process / Essay
Initial Research
Process / Essay
Literature Review
Literature Review
Collecting Data
Collecting Data
Developing the literature review (SLO
2.22: Creswell Chapter 3; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-4, 6, 7)
Developing the literature review (SLO
2.22: Creswell Chapter 3; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-4, 6, 7)
Developing methodologies for
quantitative and qualitative studies
(SLO 2.23: Creswell Chapters 5-9; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-7)
Developing methodologies for
quantitative and qualitative studies
(SLO 2.23: Creswell Chapters 5-9; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-7)
DQ: 7 Sep
Participation
DQ: 28 Sep
Participation
Research Problem: 28 Sep
DQ: 5 Oct
Participation
Essay: 5 Oct
DQ: 12 Oct
Participation
Purpose statements and research
questions/hypotheses and/or central
phenomenon/sub questions: 12 Oct
DQ: 19 Oct
Participation
DQ: 26 Oct
Participation
Literature review outline: 26Oct
DQ: 2 Nov
Participation
Analyzing
Data/Proposal Writing
Analyzing quantitative data (SLOs 2.23,
2.24: Creswell Chapters 5-9; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-7)
DQ: 9Nov
Participation
Methodology Outline (9 Nov)
Analyzing
Data/Proposal Writing
Analyzing quantitative data (SLOs 2.23,
2.24: Creswell Chapters 5-9; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-7)
DQ: 16 Nov
Participation
Analyzing qualitative data (SLOs 2.23,
2.24: Creswell Chapters 5-9; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-7)
DQ: 23 Nov
Participation
Analyzing Data /
Proposal Writing
9
COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS
WK
14
24 Nov – 1
Dec
T-Day (27/28)
15
1-7 Dec
16
8-12 Dec
Class/Activity
Analyzing Data /
Proposal Writing
Interpretation
Interpretation
Subject
Analyzing qualitative data (SLOs 2.23,
2.24: Creswell Chapters 5-9; APA
Publication Manual Chapters 1-7)
Interpreting quantitative/qualitative
data (SLOs 2.23, 2.24: Creswell
Chapters 5-9; APA Publication Manual
Chapters 1-7)
Interpreting quantitative/qualitative
data (SLOs 2.23, 2.24: Creswell
Chapters 5-9; APA Publication Manual
Chapters 1-7)
Assignments Due (Turn in date) (Check
Blackboard for updated assignments)
DQ: 1 Dec
Participation
DQ: 7 Dec
Participation
Research Proposals: 7 Dec
10
7.0
Drop Policy: If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and
ask for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the
student. The record’s office will provide a deadline for which the form must be returned, completed and
signed. Return the signed form to the records office, wait 24 hours, go into DuckTrax and confirm that you
are no longer enrolled. If you are still enrolled, follow up with the records office immediately. You are to
attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the deadline or
fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course.
8.0
Academic Integrity: Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high
standards of honor in personal and scholarly conduct. Any deviation from this expectation may result in a
minimum of a failing grade for the assignment and potentially a failing grade for the course. All academic
dishonesty concerns will be reported to the university's Office of Student Conduct. Academic dishonesty
includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism and improper
citation of sources, using another student's work, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. When in
doubt on collaboration, citation, or any issue, please contact me before taking a course of action. More
information can be found at http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/studentconduct/academicintegrity.php
9.0
Disability Support Services: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination
statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things,
this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides
for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. Blackboard Learn (v. 9.1) is certified for non-visual
accessibility. If you have or believe you have a disability and wish to self-identify, you can do so by providing
documentation to the Disability Support Coordinator. Students are encouraged to seek information about
accommodations to help assure success in their courses. Please call (254) 501-5831 or visit Founder's Hall
114, Suite 114. Additional information can be found at
http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/disabilitysupport/index.php
10.0 Tutoring: Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects tutored
include Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing. Tutors are available at the Tutoring Center
in Warrior Hall, Room 111. Visit http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/academicsupport/index.php and click "Tutoring
Support" for tutor schedules and contact info. If you have questions, need to schedule a tutoring session, or
if you're interested in becoming a tutor, contact Academic Support Programs at 254-501-5830 or by emailing
tutoring@tamuct.edu.
Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for almost any subject on your computer! Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform
that enables TAMU-CT students to log-in and receive FREE online tutoring and writing support. This tool
provides tutoring in Mathematics, Writing, Career Writing, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, Calculus, and
Statistics. To access Tutor.com, log into your Blackboard account and click "Online Tutoring."
11.
Library Services: INFORMATION LITERACY focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live
and work in an information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of
critical reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques. Help
may include, yet is not limited to: exploration of information resources such as library collections and
services, identification of subject databases and scholarly journals, and execution of effective search
strategies. Library Resources are outlined and accessed at: http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/library/index.php
11
APPENDIX A (Assignment Grading Rubrics)
12
13
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