GRADING RUBRIC FOR THE CRITIQUE
The paper should run about 4 single spaced pages. The requirement is worth 40 points.
Choose any business-related paper from the general business journal literature (accounting, sales, marketing, operations research/analytics, business medical services, business software development, etc.) either in paper or electronic format. Suitable journals include Harvard Business Review, CrossTalk, Interfaces, University of Chicago Journal of Business, etc. Not acceptable publications are popular magazine articles, trade association magazine articles, or newspaper articles. Meet with the instructor if there are any questions about the suitability of the paper and source.

i.Make a copy of the journal paper and attach to the back of your critique. Include a page showing the Cover and Table of Contents from the journal you chose. If the journal is online, then attach a copy of the paper and a screenshot of some kind of the journal masthead.
ii.State the author’s null and alternative hypotheses. Write an explanation of the hypothesis the author was testing in plain English. Use of statistical symbols such as “Ho:” will not be acceptable. Assume your audience is middle management who are not experts in statistical methods.
iii.Write your critique of the research methods and conclusions the author drew using plain English. You may either agree or disagree with the conclusions and/or methods used by the author.

Grading
_____ 1. Was the selected journal paper business-oriented. 5 pts.
_____ 2. Is there a copy of the selected journal paper attached to the back of the critique. Did it include a page showing the Cover and Table of Contents (or masthead “screenshot” if from an electronic format) from the journal chosen. 4 pts. (Zero points if not from an academic journal.)
______ 3. Was the journal paper a recap of the author’s research that made a new contribution to the body of knowledge, as opposed to a “report” which accumulated already existing knowledge. The body of knowledge contribution may be either substantial or small. 8 pts.
_____ 4. Did the student’s critique contain a statement and explanation of the author’s null and alternative hypotheses in plain English and in the student’s own words. 8 pts.
_____ 5. Was the student’s critique of the author’s research methods free from statistical jargon and symbols, and written in plain English easily understandable by a middle manager who does not have an analytics background. 5 pts.
_____ 6. Did the student’s critique of the author’s conclusions free from statistical jargon and symbols, and written in plain English easily understandable by a middle manager who does not have an analytics background. 5 pts.
_____ 7. Was the student’s critique of the author’s conclusions logical and based on data or other facts, and not based on opinions such as often found in editorials, social media postings, popular discussions, etc. Were the sources of the data/other facts references footnoted. 5 pts.

I have attached an inquiry paper Sample journal cover, Inquiry Paper sample paper, and an inquiry paper sample journal paper.