Final Research Paper

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, Read Chapter 13 of your primary text. The Final Research Paper builds on itself throughout the course. Each week is broken down below.

Week 1:

Select one of the Department of Homeland Security missions of your choice. This must be a stand-alone statement following your introduction and thesis (e.g., DHS Mission: Secure and Manage our Borders, or Safeguard and Secure Cyberspace, etc.).
Explain a current issue for your research. (Note the approved list of topics. You may select one of these, or select one of your own. Note your instructor must approve your issue to be addressed in your Final Research Paper.)
Explain the issues, threats, or hazards that are affecting the resolution of the vulnerabilities. Identify any constitutional issues in play.

Week 2:

Begin your research for your Final Research Paper. It is recommended that you start your research by identifying a Research Starter for your topic in the Ashford University Library.
Note the “Research Starter” should address the common issues for the topic. Note the bibliography is a good place to identify additional resources for your paper. This should set you up for success with writing your Final Research Paper.

Week 3:

Finalize your six credible references. Note two of these must be scholarly and found in the Ashford University Library.
Sketch out the outline for your Final Research Paper.

Week 4:

Complete your research, and complete your first rough draft of your Final Research Paper.

Week 5:

Complete the writing of your Final Research Paper. Conduct your final reviews.
Spell check your paper.
Review your APA formatting (Note the APA Formatting Sample Paper posted the first week of class, and review the feedback from your instructor for previous assignments).
Read your paper out loud to catch grammatical issues.
Submit your Final Research Paper for grading.

Your paper must

Identify the DHS mission and issue that you will address in the Final Research Paper.
Summarize the various points of view that frame the homeland security issue, threat, or hazard that leads to a vulnerability.
Describe the various roles and responsibilities of the various levels of government with respect to the issue under review.
Explain your personal position on how the Department of Homeland Security should address vulnerability using mitigation, prevention, and preparedness techniques.

The topics within the Approved Research Paper Topics document represent a few of the challenges the United States faces in homeland security and its impact on American society. The paper must demonstrate an understanding of the topic through a review of literature, analysis of specific incidents or events, and evaluation of mitigation strategies. The final section of the paper must include your position on how the Department of Homeland Security should resolve this issue. The topics for this assignment may be addressed from the federal, state, or local government, private sector, or non-government agency perspective.
The Final Research Paper

Must be eight to 10 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s APA StyleLinks to an external site. r
Must include a separate title page with the following:

Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted