Psych 360
Intro to Org Psych
Fall 1999
Lee, Boudens, Dixon, Myers, Worline
The group project involves examining an organization using concepts you have learned from this course. You need to: (1) Identify one organization you want to study, (2) Pick TWO topics from the course content (e.g., culture and leadership), and (3) Describe, analyze, and evaluate the organization on these two topics.
To complete this project, you need to gather some data or information about the organization you want to study. The data can be obtained via direct observation and interviews with individuals of the organization, or, if you do not have access to the organization, you can collect information from archival sources (library, web pages, industry publications, popular press) -- but some kind of data must be collected.
An organization can be an entire company, or a small group or workteam within a company. There are many organizations which you may find interesting. In the past, students have studied organizations on campus (for example, a variety of sports teams or on-campus student organizations), as well as organizations not related to the university (such as local restaurants or cafes, consulting firms, manufacturing teams in a plant, surgical teams in a hospital, a team of chefs that work together in a restaurant, a chamber orchestra, a political group, just to name a few examples.)
Some students have studied organizations which they themselves are a member, or they have close friends which are members -- the pros are: gaining access/entry into the organization is easier, and you may already have a lot of insight into the organization. Others prefer to study organizations with which they are not involved and know very little about (such as a famous company which has been written up a lot in the popular press) -- the pros are: you have a level of objectivity in your insights, and you will learn a lot about a company or industry which you find particularly interesting.
Project groups will be formed in the third section meeting (9/30-10/4). No changes to group membership will be allowed after that day. You must attend section that day to join a project group. Otherwise, you cannot enroll in this course. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
Information Gathering
Here are several ways of gathering information about organizations. You can focus on one of these methods as your primary way of gathering data about the organization, or use multiple methods. Your GSI can help you develop the best methodology for your project.
2. Observation. One thing you can do is to observe the organization "in action". One can learn a great deal just being there while the organizational members have their meetings or perform their tasks. Observations can be recorded free-form in your notes, or can be coded using specific categories (either in real time or subsequently).
3. Interview. You can also interview organizational members, or individuals who are familiar with the organization. Interviews can range from highly structured (almost a verbally-administered survey, but with the option for follow-up questions) to highly unstructured (in which you give respondents a "prompt" and let them talk freely). Interviews can be done one-on-one, or as a group. Make sure your GSI reviews your interview questions before you start.
Here are some benchmark dates in pacing your project work:
Oct 11 Submit a project proposal to your GSI.
Oct 22 Gathered first round of data; enough to assess your preliminary findings.
Begin of Nov Complete at least half of your information gathering/data collection; begin pulling together your findings.
Nov 5 Submit a midpoint report to your GSI.
End of Nov Finish all information gathering.
Dec 1 Begin writing your project report.
Dec 17 Submit two copies of your case report to your GSI, one of which will be returned to you with your GSI’s comments.
Proposal (due Oct 11)
Your proposal, which should be no longer than two double-spaced pages, should state:
2. The two key topics you will examine, and why the organization is a good place to examine these issues.
3. How you plan to gather information on this organization -- for example, will you observe them? Will you interview members? Are you planning to use archival data?
4. Append the completed "Action Planning Guide" (will be handed out in section) with the proposal.
Midterm Report (due Nov 5)
The midterm report, which should no longer than two double-spaced pages, should:
2. List specific tasks the project group has to accomplish before the end of the semester.
3. Develop specific action strategies/workplan for how to get from "here" to "there" (include a time line with intermediate deadlines as well as assigned responsibilities).
4. Append the completed "10,000 mile checkup" (will be handed out in section) with your report.
Final Case Report (due Dec 17)
Submit two copies of your case report. Aim for 10 typed double-spaced pages, excluding appendices, references, charts and graphs. The case report should include:
2. Your analysis of the two key topics within this organization.
3. Evidence from data collection to support and back up your points.
Evaluation Criteria
Your GSI will give you more details on grading policy and criteria. In general, the criteria for assessing the deliverables are:
2. Quality of insight -- level of originality shown in analyzing the organization.
3. Quality of execution -- thoroughness of your information gathering, and how competently the information was analyzed.
4. Quality of the presentation -- style, organization, and clarity.
The project will be graded based on a maximum of 25 points (5 points each for the proposal and midterm report, and 15 points for the final case report). The same grade will be given to all group members for all deliverables of the group project. There is one possible exception to this policy. A group (here defined as two-thirds or more of the members) may request that an individual not receive credit for the project, and that individual will get 0 points for the group project. This gives the group a way to deal with someone who is officially a group member, but does not participate meaningfully in the group project. If a group is considering using this option, you must let your GSI and the group member know by Nov 15.