PSY 258: Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a Final Paper on a topic of your choice. The final product represents an authentic
demonstration competency, because it allows you to reflect on what you learned in this course and apply it to your life and future career.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure
quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Five, and Seven.
Objectives
To successfully complete this project, you will be expected to apply what you have learned in this course and should include several of
the following course objectives:
1. Define and explain basic Industrial/Organizational Psychology terms and concepts
2. Demonstrate knowledge and application of major concepts and theoretical perspectives as well as historical and future trends in
I/O Psychology
3. Apply an understanding of ethical codes of behavior as they relate to the field of I/OPsychology
4. Demonstrate an understanding of research methodology as it relates to I/O Psychology
5. Use critical and creative thinking as well as skeptical inquiry to address issues related to the field of I/OPsychology
6. Demonstrate critical thinking skills through detection of correct and faulty applications of I/O psychological principles and theories.
Main Elements
Possible topics to choose from include the following:
 Motivation
 Leadership
 Training and Development
 Diversity
 Selection
 Ethics
 Research Methods
You may also propose your own topic, which will have to be approved by your instructor. You must include the following parts (in this order)
in your Final Paper:
1. Background/situation of your selected topic
2. Key subtopics
3. Method of research
4. Findings/results
5. Discussion (including your views, opinions, andobservations)
6. Closing comments**
7. References
**Also make sure to answer the following questions in the closing comments of your paper:
 What did you learn from yourresearch?
 How does this new knowledge change your perceptions of Industrial/OrganizationalPsychology?
 How can you use what you have learned in your personal life and/or work life?
Format
Milestone One: Topic Selection
2-3 Final Project: Submit Milestone One, you will submit your selected topic for your Final Paper. Your submission should also include a brief
explanation of why you selected this topic. This is a non-graded activity but your instructor will provide formative feedback.
Milestone Two: Outline
5-4 Final Project: Submit Milestone Two, you will submit an outline of your progress on your Final Paper. List each part of the paper (see
Main Elements section of this document) and briefly describe any information you have gathered and/or questions that you have. This is a
non-graded activity but your instructor will provide formative feedback.
Milestone Three: Completed Final Paper
7-3 Final Project: Submit, you will submit your completed Final Paper. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the main
elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This milestone will be graded
using the Final Product Rubric.
Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Submit assignment as a Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch
margins.
Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Main Elements Includes almost all of the main
elements and requirements
and cites multiple examples to
illustrate each element
Includes most of the main
elements and requirements and
cites many examples to illustrate
each element
Includes some of the main
elements and requirements
Does not include any of the
main elements and
requirements
25
Inquiry and Analysis Provides in-depth analysis that
demonstrates complete
understanding of multiple
concepts
Provides in-depth analysis that
demonstrates complete
understanding of some concepts
Provides in-depth analysis
that demonstrates complete
understanding of minimal
concepts
Does not provide in-depth
analysis
20
Integration and
Application
All of the course concepts are
correctly applied
Most of the course concepts are
correctly applied
Some of the course concepts
are correctly applied
Does not correctly apply any
of the course concepts
10
Critical Thinking Draws insightful conclusions
that are thoroughly defended
with evidence and examples
Draws informed conclusions that
are justified with evidence
Draws logical conclusions,
but does not defend with
evidence
Does not draw logical
conclusions
20
Research Incorporates many scholarly
resources effectively that
reflect depth and breadth of
research
Incorporates some scholarly
resources effectively that reflect
depth and breadth of research
Incorporates very few
scholarly resources that
reflect depth and breadth of
research
Does not incorporate
scholarly resources that
reflect depth and breadth of
research
15
Writing
(Mechanics/Citations)
No errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, and citations
Minor errors related to
organization, grammar and style,
and citations
Some errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, and citations
Major errors related to
organization, grammar and
style, and citations
10
Total 100%