Faculty Contact Information:
Ken J. Kovach, EdD
PSC 37
Box 3414
APO AE 09459
Ph/Fax: +44 (0)1353 860 671
KJKovach@AOL.com | |
Consultation:
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Term V dates: 14 June - 10 October 2004
Note: This is a Distance Education course conducted via WebTycho in a classroom labeled GRPP999. Please do not let this be confusing.
Course matters must be conducted within the WebTycho forums, while personal issues should be handled directly with the instructor. | |
Required Texts and Readings:
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Supplementary Readings:
| All graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library to obtain the various resources necessary to develop a Professional Paper. | |
Recommended Journals:
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Course Description:
| Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy in the M.P.A. program and successful completion of the graduate PA comprehensive examination. This course will explore the methods and models for policy analysis and program evaluation; methods of collecting and analyzing evaluation data; processes for linking evaluation to policy formulation and program management. Emphasis is on how to conduct formative evaluations of government programs. Students are also able to make the appropriate distinctions between the administrative systems that make government programs work as well as how the impact of these programs on the quality of life in society is measured. Students produce a professional paper within their chosen area of interest. This course is graded Pass (P) or Fail (F) and is normally conducted over two terms. | |
Course Goals:
Bowie State University requires all graduate students to complete an advanced research paper. In Europe, this requirement serves as a capstone to the students' programs of study. As such, it is designed to assist students in all degree programs to move beyond the classroom by consulting with experts from their chosen professions and engaging in professional activities. Students are encouraged to participate in the professional associations most likely to either disseminate or publish the results of their advanced research projects. UMUC Europe Graduate Programs faculty and staff refer to these projects as Professional Papers. UMUC Europe Graduate Programs contribute to the professional development of their graduate students by publishing final drafts on a dedicated web site and providing funding to attend professional conferences. Additional information on these initiatives may be found at www.ed.umuc.edu/graduate/.
Definition of a Professional Paper
- A Professional Paper is based on research conducted solely by the author. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Academic, professional, or trade journal articles,
- Case studies,
- Policy analyses, policy proposals, project management reviews, and program evaluations,
- Pre-procurement or pre-implementation analyses of new technologies or best practices,
- Grant proposals, and
- Responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs). This final example is consistent with the type of papers written for the UMCP M.A. in Counseling and Personnel Services.
- The length, style, and format of the final draft of any Professional Paper are defined largely by the nature of the audience and the standards employed in that particular segment of the profession. Audiences and venues for publication and dissemination of final drafts may include but are not limited to:
- The readership of academic, professional, or trade journals, including online journals,
- Conferences conducted and organized by professional associations such as ACA or EB-ACA, ASPA, ICMA, AOM, ACM, AITP,
- Political institutions (Congress, state legislatures, regulatory boards, city councils, school boards, state mental health boards, etc.),
- Management teams (government and non-profit agency directors, boards of directors, CEOs and CIOs, schools principals, etc.), and
- Funding organizations (National Science Foundation, National Institutes for Health, National Institute for Mental Health, Rand Institute, Hoover Institute, etc.).
- Any Professional Paper, written for UMUC Europe Graduate Programs, regardless of audience, length, style, or format, uses the APA citation style and reference style.
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Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to accomplish the critical tasks of developing a professional paper, including to:
- Identify a relevant research question and developing a strategy to answer that question (see the Professional Paper web site for examples of proposals).
- Identify the audience most interested in the question (examples listed above).
- Identify literature and other sources of expert information on the question.
- Present the research question, the research design, the target audience, and a broad outline of the final paper (called The Proposal) to peers and a subject matter expert.
- Obtain permission from UMUC officials to use human subjects if the research design warrants
- Obtain written permission from the management of the organization(s) involved with the research. Examples include, but are not limited to, military units, government contractors, DODDs schools, and restricted websites.
- Evaluate feedback received and making changes to the proposal as appropriate.
- Execute the research design.
- Write the Professional Paper that clearly and accurately reports the research findings in a format that meets the needs of the audience.
- Present a draft of the Professional Paper to peers and a subject matter expert.
- Evaluate feedback received and making changes to the final draft as appropriate.
- Submit the final draft to the target audience.
The student will receive 3 semester hours of credit toward his or her master's degree upon successful completion of the course. The role of the student is to:
- Initiate and complete each of the critical tasks in a timely manner,
- Be the sole executor of the research design and author of the Professional Paper,
- Cite all sources of expert information according to the APA style guide,
- Present and defend the proposal, progress reports, working drafts, and the final draft in a timely manner,
- Engage in discussions with the subject matter expert, the classroom instructor, and graduate student peers in a professional manner,
- Evaluate feedback received and make appropriate changes to the proposal, the research design, the literature review, the report of findings, the discussion, and the recommendations,
- Evaluate feedback received and make appropriate changes to the length, style, and format of the Professional Paper, and
- Provide Graduate Programs with an electronic copy of the final draft of the Professional Paper and the documentation from the subject matter expert.
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Grading Information:
This course is graded on a Pass or Fail basis only. Students who successfully complete the work in this course receive a Pass, which indicates a minimum grade of B. Students who do not successfully complete the requirements receive a grade of Fail.
The grade F(a) is used to designate academic failure. F(n) is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the available online at UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog. Hard copies of the catalog are available in your local Education Center. | |
Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the master's level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society.
In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:
- Develop a Research proposal--------------------------------------10%
- Develop a literature review and research assumptions/limitations-10%
- Present and submit a draft of the final paper--------------------15%
- Identify appropriate venues for publication or dissemination------5%
- Develop and present a Final paper--------------------------------40%
- Obtain three Peer Reviews----------------------------------------10%
- Participate in forums--------------------------------------------10%
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Description of Course Requirements:
A research paper that defines the problem or research area tutorially, clearly explains current issues, elaborates on the relevance of the topic in relation to current affairs, and provides some indications of what will happen in the future. Evaluations will be based on content, presentation, and quality of expression. Papers are expected to meet or exceed accepted graduate-level English and scholarship standards. Papers must conform to the APA documentation style. To aid the student in succeeding, the course provides the student with multiple checkpoints and opportunities to receive feedback from the instructor and other students.
Research Proposal: The one to two page Research Proposal will contain a clear statement of:
- topic and proposed title;
- purpose of the research, research questions, and preliminary thesis or hypothesis;
- research approach (Quantitative or Qualitative) and Design;
- an outline of the research sub-topics;
- a preliminary reading list for the literature review;
- research assumptions and limitations; and
- venue for publication.
Literature review and research assumptions: A 5 – 6 page paper summarizing the academic and professional literature most relevant to the student’s topic and making explicit the student’s theoretical and conceptual assumptions.
First Draft: Students are expected to discuss their interim results with the group and accept/provide constructive criticism from/for other group members in the course of paper preparation.
Identifying appropriate venues for publication or dissemination: The literature review and first draft should culminate in the student being able to discuss a variety of possible venues for publication or dissemination of his or her research findings.
Final Paper and Presentation of Research: Participants will present their research findings and conclusions to the class using appropriate audio-visual and handout materials.
Class Participation: The essence of a seminar is the exchange of information among peers. Thus, members of the group will be expected to interact on each other's research areas in class plus via the Internet. That interaction should also involve positive comments and recommendations on how research topics can be strengthened. | |
Course Schedule:
Module 1: Development
Week One - Consider and develop research proposal.
Week Two - identify subject matter expert and deliver research proposal.
Module 2: Refinement and Initiation
By Week Four - Identify venue and begin literature review (including assumptions and limitations)
Module 3: Execution
By Week Eight or Nine - present literature review (including assumptions and limitations)and first working draft to peers and SME.
By Week Twelve - present revised draft to SME and submit to instructor.
Module 4: Conclusion
By Week Fourteen - present complete comments from SME to instructor
By Week Sixteen - present final report to classroom and to the appropriate Program Director. | |
Academic Policies:
Please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog or from your local Education Center, for information on the following:
- Academic Integrity
- Course Load
- Exception to Policy
- Grade Appeal Process
- Make-up Examinations
- Nondiscrimination
- Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center. | |
Faculty Bio:
Dr. Ken J. Kovach instructs primarily for University of Maryland University College-Europe and other universities (over 470 total courses taught). Prior to his teaching positions, he worked for 23 years in the United States Air Force, performing duties in Logistics, Transportation, Plans, Operations, patient care, and Administration. His duties involved the European Airborne Command and Control Post (EC-135), management in Joint Command and Joint Chief of Staff activities, aerial delivery, air terminal and Logair, air freight, operations and plans, air passenger and cargo movements, railroad operations, hospital care, vehicle maintenance & operations, SATO (schedule airlines) activities, traffic management, and VIP passenger transportation.
Initially, Ken spent almost five years as an enlisted medical technician specializing in psychiatric care. His qualifications through the Airman Education and Commissioning Program enabled him to earn his air force commission as a Transportation officer. In this field, he attended intensive training programs in traffic management, personnel management, logistics, air cargo, air passenger movements, strategic management and planning, and vehicle operations & maintenance. He flew on numerous combat missions in Vietnam while supervising aerial delivery, air cargo, and passenger air operations. Ken supervised the movement of the entire 1st Calvary division during a major combat relocation, earned the airmans and air medal, and was recognized as the Air Force’s Outstanding Transportation Officer in 1969. In total, he earned over 30 DOD and Air Force awards during his career. Within Air Force Logistics Command and United States Air Forces Europe, Ken negotiated civilian contracts, represented management in labor disputes, and was directly involved in employee/employer settlements. Many times, he was involved in major logistical activities, coordinating closely with Supply and Procurement officials in conducting important domestic and international air movements of personnel and material.
In transportation planning and management, Ken supervised the largest U.S. Air Force railroad operations; operated one of two DOD tire depots for aircraft tires; operated the northeast United States Logair activity; managed all aspects of aerial port activities; developed and supervised base mobility plans at RAF Mildenhall and Wright-Patterson AFB; managed a 1500 vehicle fleet and civilian contract operations; provided control and expertise relating to air/ground movement of cargo and passengers (70,000 tons/100,000 passengers annually); contracted and supervised commercial air cargo carriers; prepared industrial and operations’ budgets; and recruited, trained, and supervised administrative staff.
He conducted major research efforts in personnel management, training, labor resources, teaching, personnel and student assessment, and corporate aviation. His publications include a Corporate and Business Aviation text; Corporate Aviation Management text; three independent study courses for Embry-Riddle; a National Business Aviation Association program in Aircraft Selection, Outfitting, and Retrofitting; a research writing guide for University of Maryland University College-Europe, a Major Applied Research Project, and various educational writings. His doctorate is from Nova University (EdD-Higher Education), Master from Wayne State University (MA-Guidance & Counseling), and Bachelor from the University of Tennessee (BS-Business). Ken is active with the Institute of Transport Administration; a founder member of the Institute of Air Transport; member of the American Statistical Association, American Counselor Association,and Phi Sigma Gamma; advisor for corporate/business aviation; and committee chair for research and statistics’ programs. Ken is married to Sally and has two daughters, Katie and Christine. His interests are fitness, sports, research activities, and helping students learn. | |