The research paper will be a seven-to eight-page (about 2,000 word) paper on an issue related to your current or future career area. This assignment requires you to write an objective paper in which you conduct research to gather information on some aspect of your career, analyze that information to determine how it might be useful in your paper, and then report your research findings. In this paper, you should not take a personal position on any issue; your job is to summarize what you have learned about your topic. Prepare your research paper in APA style, as shown in the Ashford University approved style guide, and cite your sources in proper APA style in the text and in a reference page at the end of the essay. You must have at least four outside sources in this paper. Since this is an analytical paper, it should be written in third person (the author stated…the research showed…, etc.) Following are the requirements for preparing and formatting your papers. § All written assignments must conform to the Ashford University Writing Standards described in this Course Guide. § The essay and final research paper must have an introduction that includes a succinct thesis statement. § The essay and final research paper must have a well-developed body with main points that are clear and well supported. § The essay and final research paper must have a conclusion that reinforces the thesis and has a strong concluding sentence. § All information from outside sources must be cited in the text and a reference page included at the end of the paper. The in-text citations and the reference page must be formatted in proper APA style, as shown in the Ashford University approved style guide. Any plagiarism will result in a grade of “F” for the course.