1. PSYC 3570 Fall 2009 Tips for Term Project
Dealing with an Organizational Stressor
Amrita Ghai
September 17, 2009

2. Stressor Must be an ORGANIZATIONAL stressor
Not a CONSEQUENCE of a stressor
E.g. Burnout is a consequence of a stressor
You must operationalize your stressor – provide a specific definition of the stressor (do not use direct quotes)

3. Organizational Approaches
What approaches are employed by the ORGANIZATION to mitigate the STRESSOR?
Organizational approaches are different from individual specific approaches (e.g., flexible working hours vs. to-do lists)
Discuss approaches which deal with the STRESSOR not the stress resulting from the stressor
Do not discuss general stress management techniques

4. Experts
Someone who has had FORMAL training, or provides training to others, in dealing with YOUR SPECIFIC STRESSOR (not just stress).
An expert is not someone who has merely experienced the stressor, nor is it a clinical psychologist with knowledge of the topic but no experience with the formal application of O.B. strategies.

5. Research Paper
You are being asked to conduct research in order to address a particular issue/question
There are 2 main sources of information you are to explore
Scientific Literature
Experts
IMPORTANT! Link between literature and experts?
I’m interested in how you’re able to synthesize and integrate information from these sources, in order to describe ways in which an organization may mitigate a given stressor.

6. The Process
Primary research – what is out there? Is there enough research?
Pick a stressor
Thorough Literature Review
Interview Experts
Evaluate experts’ advice in light of literature
Overall evaluation

7. Focus
Although you need to describe causes/consequences of the stressor, this should not be the focus of the paper.
Although you need to synthesize the scientific literature, you should not need to go into minute details of particular studies.

8. Space Guidelines 6 pgs, d/spaced, 12 pt, Times, 1 inch margins
Important to be concise
Conclusions: don’t restate all your points
DO NOT USE DIRECT QUOTATIONS
Keep focus
* It IS possible to fulfill the requirements of the assignment in the given page limits *

9. Notes About References
You must properly cite any and all ideas which are not your own within the text of your paper as well as in the references section
ALL cites in the references section must appear within text and vice versa
Use APA style for referencing

10. Useful Links Finding Journal Articles
APA Guidelines

11. Some final advice… Read the syllabus! Read the grading sheet
Look for information on the course website
Do the proposal
Read/understand proposal feedback
Contact experts as early as possible

12. Still have questions?
Amrita’s Contact Info
Office: 046 BSB (Basement)
Office hour: Thurs 1:30-2:30 by appointment