With instructor approval, students will select an organization that either has or is experiencing challenges with its compensation and benefit system.  The student will provided a brief historical view of the organization, an assessment of their current challenge, a review of other organizations who had a similar situation and the strategy they devised to address the issue, theories and strategies that should be contemplated to address the situation and, finally, a recommendation to management on how to address/resolve the situation.  Importantly, the student should ensure any recommendations are based on solid research and analysis and reflect a comprehensive solution to the problem.

The research paper should integrate items discussed in class, textbook material, and additional information gathered from secondary or primary sources.  A minimum of eight credible sources (other than the course textbook) should be used to develop your final project paper.  Research topics must be reviewed in advance with the instructor.

Writing the Compensation and Benefits Paper
These papers are to reflect the current “state of the art” in the area and should reflect both academic and professional (practical) orientations. Your final paper should be eight- to ten- double-spaced pages in length (exclusive of Appendix, References, Exhibits, etc.) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide. This final paper should review the available research, discuss the implications of that research for the topic area, and provide conclusions. The paper should be organized into the following areas:

• Introduction: The area of research should be described and the purpose of the research. That is, describe the topic area in terms of (1) its relationship the topic and (2) what you want to be able to contribute to the training literature by writing this paper. Your introduction must include a succinct thesis statement.
• Review of the literature: Organize the literature into logical streams of thought related to your topic area. Within each of these areas summarize what the literature has to say. Be sure to indicate in your discussion whether the information is based on empirical data or analysis of the author.
• Implications of the literature: Again, organize the implications of the literature in a manner that logically builds the case for your conclusions (which you will present in the next section). For each of your implications be sure to reference the literature related to that implication. Be sure to indicate whether the implication is one that has already been made in the literature or if this is one that is original to you through your own analysis. You should identify in this section important areas related to your topic that are missing from the literature. As appropriate within a business report, it is important to use section headings to organize your key points. 
• Conclusions: This is where you tie all the pieces together. Make sure your conclusions are organized in a logical order that synthesizes your major points relative to the purpose of your paper. Be sure that your conclusions are justified and have credible support.  Inspire your audience to think about the practical application of your topic.  Remember, this is the last thing you are leaving with your reader so make the context of your message clear, communicate the impact of your topic, and leave a lasting impression.

Remember, your paper:

• Must include a title page according to APA style.

• Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought and analysis.
• Must include section headings to organize your key points clearly.
• Must include citations to references that support the assertions made and facts presented in the paper.
• Must conclude a conclusion paragraph that ties directly back to your thesis statement.
• Must use APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide to document all sources.
• Must include, on the final page, a Reference List that is completed according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide.