The Interview and Backgrounder

he Interview and Backgrounder

Start Assignment

• Due Jun 4 by 11:59pm
• Points 100
• Submitting a file upload

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with the resources and knowledge needed to successfully meet the following outcomes:

• Describe the history and background for the research problem or dilemma.
• Summarize the projected outcome if the research problem or dilemma is not solved.
• Outline the key stakeholders and driving forces involved in the research problem or dilemma.

Synopsis

Your project requires that you formally interview at least one person. You can conduct an interview of an expert on the topic or someone who has been impacted by the problem or dilemma. It is important to follow some basic rules when conducting an interview. Review the resources provided in the Module 2 Preparation Details. Also included in the resources is a series (12 segments) of YouTube videos that highlight effective research interviewing techniques.

The Interview

Prepare

Schedule an interview with a key stakeholder at your selected organization. This should be someone who knows the problem or dilemma and/or who has been affected by it.

Develop interview questions that will provide you with the background information you need to understand and, eventually, propose a solution for the problem or dilemma. Include questions about the history and background of the organization, key stakeholders, driving forces, and the culture of the organization.

Documentation

Keep a record of the questions and answers from the interview. The method you use is your choice (e.g., video, audio, written notes, etc.).

Note: APA does not require you to add personal communication such as an interview to your reference list. However, for the purposes of this project, you are to include the person’s name, position, and the date of the interview in your reference list. For example: Roberts, J. (2016, January 9). Personal communication with the Chief Operating Officer of General Mills, Detroit, MI.

Reflect and Interpret

After you have completed the interview(s), review your notes and reflect on what you heard. What knowledge have you gained? Were there any surprises? Was the interviewee at ease or nervous? Analyze the answers the interviewee provided to your questions.

Draft a summary of your analysis and interpretation of the interview. You will use this as you write your backgrounder.

Backgrounder

A backgrounder, often used by an organization in its media kit, is a brief document that details the background of an issue, problem, dilemma, event, or person. For the purposes of this assignment, you will write a scholarly backgrounder.

Research, Analyze, and Synthesize

Research the organization, the problem or dilemma, and the key stakeholders in the problem. You may want to review the organization’s website, check newspaper articles, or search annual reports to learn more about the organization and the problem. You must have at least 2 additional resources for your backgrounder, beyond what you have already located and listed on your reference list. At least 1 of these resources must be a scholarly publication.

Analyze and synthesize the information you have researched and what you learned from the interview(s).

Compose

Write a 2-3 page backgrounder that includes an introduction to your project, the key players, and background information. The backgrounder is to address the following in a narrative (do not just respond to each item, write a narrative that includes all 9 items):

1. Identify when the problem or dilemma arose or become known and by whom.
2. Summarize your interview.
3. Describe who has been impacted by the problem or dilemma.
4. Categorize at least two different fields of study or disciplines that are involved in the problem or dilemma.
5. Explain what the projected outcome may be if the problem is not solved.
6. Evaluate what the potential consequences may be for two or more disciplines or fields of study if the problem or dilemma is not solved.
7. List the key terms and definitions.
8. Calculate the projected loss of financial resources, personnel productivity, or other valuable resources to your stakeholders if the problem is not solved.
9. Create a diagram that visually displays all the key elements, stakeholders, and relationships involved.

Also include the following in your backgrounder:

• A title page (adhere to APA guidelines)
• A running head with the title of your project
• Page numbers
• A reference list at the end of your backgrounder. Include personal communication in your reference list as well as scholarly resources.

Note: Don’t forget to update your reference list with all of the resources you have used up to this point.

Peer review: Collaborate with a peer in this course. Review each other’s drafts using the rubric provided in this assignment. Use the track changes and/or the comments feature in Word to provide constructive feedback to one another. Place your name as the peer reviewer in the footer of the document (e.g., Jane Doe, Peer Reviewer). Save the document with your name in the filename (e.g., Smith_paper_JaneDoePeerReviewer) and return the document to your peer.

Turnitin: Submit your assignment to Turnitin. Give yourself enough time to revise and resubmit ahead of the due date.  

Final version: Write the final version of your backgrounder and submit it no later than the end of this module. Combine your peer reviewed document (including the comments/track changes, etc.) with your final version – placing the peer reviewed document before the first page of your final version. (Confirm that your peer reviewed document includes both your name and the name of your peer.)  For instructions on how to combine two documents in Word, see this video (Links to an external site.). Confirm that your final version adheres to APA guidelines (Links to an external site.) for citations, reference list, running head, page numbers, footer, and formatting (as applicable). By the due date indicated, upload your final work to Turnitin.

Submission Instructions

By the due date indicated, upload your final work to Turnitin. 

Rubric

The Interview and Backgrounder

 

Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeInterview Preparation	20 to >15.0 pts Met Minimum Expectations The student selected an appropriate stakeholder to interview. Questions posed by the student during the interview demonstrated a thorough understanding of the organization and the topic. Questions posed during the interview were open-ended and designed to draw information from the interviewee.   15 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Minimum Expectations The student did not complete an interview and/or selected a stakeholder that was inappropriate for the interview. Questions posed by the student during the interview demonstrated a lack of understanding of the organization and topic. Questions posed tended to be yes/no (closed) questions and did not draw information from the interviewee.	20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReflect and Interpret	20 to >15.0 pts Met Minimum Expectations The student demonstrated a thorough interpretation and integration of the knowledge gained from the interview responses.   15 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Minimum Expectations The student did not adequately interpret and integrate the knowledge gained from the interview responses.	20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBackgrounder Research, Analysis & Synthesis	20 to >15.0 pts Met Minimum Expectations The student completed a backgrounder that demonstrated thorough research of the organization and an analysis and synthesis of the information researched. The student included at least 2 additional resources, 1 of which is from a scholarly publication.   15 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Minimum Expectations The student did not complete a backgrounder. And/or the student completed a backgrounder that did not demonstrate thorough research of the organization and/or an analysis and synthesis of the information researched. And/or the student did not include at least 2 additional resources, 1 of which is from a scholarly publication.	20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBackgrounder Composition	30 to >23.0 pts Met Minimum Expectations The student completed a backgrounder that completely met all of the minimum standards as outlined in the assignment, such as the following: 2-3 pages; An introduction to the project, the key players, and background information; Identify when the problem or dilemma arose or become known and by whom; Summarize your interview; Describe who has been impacted by the problem or dilemma. Categorize at least two different fields of study or disciplines that are involved in the problem or dilemma; Explain what the projected outcome may be if the problem is not solved; Evaluate what the potential consequences may be for two or more disciplines or fields of study if the problem or dilemma is not solved; List the key terms and definitions; Calculate the projected loss of financial resources, personnel productivity, or other valuable resources to your stakeholders if the problem is not solved; Create a diagram that visually displays all the key elements, stakeholders, and relationships involved.   23 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Minimum Expectations The student did not complete a backgrounder. And/or the backgrounder did not meet all of the minimum standards as outlined in the assignment, such as the following: 2-3 pages; An introduction to the project, the key players, and background information; Identify when the problem or dilemma arose or become known and by whom; Summarize your interview; Describe who has been impacted by the problem or dilemma; Categorize at least two different fields of study or disciplines that are involved in the problem or dilemma; Explain what the projected outcome may be if the problem is not solved; Evaluate what the potential consequences may be for two or more disciplines or fields of study if the problem or dilemma is not solved; List the key terms and definitions; Calculate the projected loss of financial resources, personnel productivity, or other valuable resources to your stakeholders if the problem is not solved; Create a diagram that visually displays all the key elements, stakeholders, and relationships involved.	30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA Style & References; Grammar & Spelling	10 to >7.0 pts Met Minimum Expectations The student did use APA style appropriately for the document itself including the title page, running head, page numbers, and a reference list. Spelling and grammar were impeccable or close to it.   7 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Minimum Expectations The student did not use APA style appropriately or at all for the document itself including the title page, running head, page numbers, and a reference list. Spelling and grammar were not impeccable or close to it.	10 pts
Total Points: 100

 

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