Title Page

GUIDE TO WRITING A

Abstract
RESEARCH PAPER

TOC
GRAD 695 PGMT

CPT
Intro
 Title Page
RESEARCH PAPER CRITERIA
• Project Management related

Abstract
• The topic is objective, not subjective

• There is sufficient information available about the

TOC
topic but not too broad

• The topic interests you and would interest others

CPT
• The topic can be initially researched in PMGT 695 and
applied to a project (PMGT699) or thesis (GRAD699)

Intro
 Title Page
Contents of the Final Draft

Abstract
1. Title Page
2. Abstract
3. Table of Contents
4. Relationship to CPT

TOC
5. Introduction
6. Problem Statement & Justification
7. Literature Review
8. Proposed Solution Approach

CPT
9. Conclusion
10. References

Intro
 Title Page
Final Rubric (10 Points)
Description Point Value

Abstract
Abstract
0–2

Keywords 0–1

TOC
Proposed Solution 0–2
Approach

Conclusion 0– 2

CPT
Overall paper quality 3

Intro
 Title Page
ABSTRACT

If you were selecting research for your paper,

Abstract
what information would you be looking for
in an abstract?

Purpose • What was the objective?

TOC
Methods • How did they get their results?

Scope • How does the scope compare?

CPT
Results • What results did they get?

Conclusions • What did their results mean?

Intro
• What are the implications for
Recommendations
practice?
 Title Page
QUALITIES OF A GOOD ABSTRACT

• Summarizes content of the paper

Abstract
• Describes paper briefly (under 100 words)
• Explains relationship to Capstone
• Highlights main idea/essential points

TOC
• Provides overview of research
• Motivates the reader to read
• Contains keywords

CPT
Your abstract will become the core of
your class presentation later on
Keywords are due on final submission

Intro
 Title Page
TIPS FOR WRITING AN ABSTRACT
1. Reread your paper

Abstract
2. Identify main parts

3. Write rough draft without using your paper

4. Rephrase key points

TOC
5. Do not add new information

6. Revise your draft for content and style

CPT
7. Proofread your final copy

Intro
Your abstract is due every time you submit your paper
 Problem
PROPOSED SOLUTION APPROACH

Lit Review
Solution
GRAD/PMGT 699
Procedure/
Approach Expected Results
Plan

Conclusion
References
 Problem
TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR APPROACH

• Explanation of the overall process/procedure

Lit Review
• Steps of the process
• Anticipated results
• What will be done/not done in each step

Solution
• What type of resources/technology needed
• How validity and quality will be assured
• Environment where results will be used

Conclusion
References
Proposed Solution Approach due at final submission
 Problem
OTHER VARIABLES BASED ON METHODOLOGY

• Experiment details

Lit Review
• Survey instruments
• Data collection protocols
•

Solution
Participant interview questions
• Details about sampling
• Data interpretation methods

Conclusion
• Ethical Issues

References
Proposed Solution Approach due at final submission
 Problem
CONCLUSION

• Restate your topic and why it is important

Lit Review
• Restate your thesis/claim

• Summarize objective data and findings

Solution
• Do not introduce new information

• Address opposing viewpoints and explain why

Conclusion
readers should align with your position,

• Call for action or overview future

References
research possibilities.
 Title Page
RESOURCES

Abstract
Purdue OWL APA

Website (APA Portal) APA Style Website

TOC
YouTube Channel APA Video Tutorial

CPT
Video Series APA Style Blog

Citation Chart Writing Commons

Intro
 Title Page
Running Head: TRANSITIONING TO AGILE 1

Use words “Running head” on title page only All Page

caps #

Abstract
Transitioning to Agile No italics,
bold or
Barbara A. Geisler underline

TOC
First name,
initial, last name
(no titles) Harrisburg University

GRAD 695 PGMT

Institution and

CPT
class

Intro
 Problem
GENERAL TIPS FOR REFERENCES
• List at end of your research paper on separate page

Lit Review
• Label the page “References” centered at top of the page
using NO bold, underline, italics or quotation marks

• Double-spaced all text like the rest of your paper

Solution
• Include all sources used and cited in your work

• Use a hanging indent for all lines after first line of each

Conclusion
entry in your reference list

• Alphabetize entries by last name of

first author in each work

References
Consult the Purdue OWL Website (APA Portal) for more info
 Problem
REFERENCES – TIPS FOR BOOKS
 Capitalize only the first letter of the first word of a title and
subtitle for books, chapters, articles, or Web pages

Lit Review
 Capitalize first word after a colon or a dash in the title
 Capitalize proper nouns
 List city and state using two letter postal abbreviation without
periods (New York, NY)

Solution
References
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter

Conclusion
also for subtitle. Location: Publisher.

Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). APA guide to preparing

manuscripts for journal publication. Washington, DC:

References
American Psychological Association.

Source: Purdue OWL

 Problem
REFERENCES – TIPS FOR JOURNAL ARTICLES
 Present the journal title in full
Maintain punctuation and capitalization used in titles

Lit Review


 Capitalize all major words in journal titles

 Italicize titles of longer works such as books and journals

Solution
Conclusion
References
 Problem
REFERENCES – TIPS FOR ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
• Do not use spaces or brackets

Lit Review
• Include year, month & date when possible
• Include all information the online host makes available,
including issue number in parentheses

Solution
Work Plan
References
Problem Lit Review Solution Work Plan References
REFERENCES – TIPS FOR ELECTRONIC RESOURCES