Instructions for the assignment:
Purpose:
Select ANY two theories that support the foundation and practice of human capital development. Critically analyze the two theories. Determine the interdependence of the two theories, how each contributes to the area of human capital development study, which one you believe to be more important and why. You may use the theories from the Executive Summary. However, there are so many others that I am sure you want to learn about, too.
Requirements:
- Include a Title page, a Narrative, and a References page in APA format. The Narrative must be a maximum of 5 double-spaced, typewritten pages, excluding the Title page, References page, and any Appendices you decide to include.
- The paper should have a clear Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. The Introduction should outline the purpose, or intent, of the paper and the key points to be covered. The subsequent paragraphs, or the Body of the paper, should address the key points flowing from one key point to the next in a logical sequence. The Conclusion should restate your purpose and summarize the key points discussed in the Body of the paper. No new information should be introduced in the Conclusion.
- Use transitions after the Introduction and after every paragraph in the Body of the paper. If the Conclusion has more than one paragraph, include a transition at the end of each one, except for the last. The use of headings and sub-headings is strongly encouraged.
- Each paragraph must have only one key point or main idea. The topic sentence, or the first sentence of each paragraph, should clearly state that key point followed by subsequent supporting sentences that provide more detail and information about the topic sentence. End each paragraph, except the last paragraph in the Conclusion, with a transition.
- Integrate, cite, and reference a minimum of 5 sources. The 5 sources, or references, must include a minimum of two (2) scholarly references from peer-reviewed journal articles. Follow criteria to reference your sources on a separate References page at the end of the paper. The References page must come before the Appendices if you decide to use any. Include appropriate in-text citations in the Body of the paper. There must be a minimum of one citation for every reference and one reference for every citation.
- Write in the third person point of view, and avoid personal opinion statements unless you can back your personal opinions with objective, unbiased facts.
- The paper must be in Microsoft Word, be double-spaced, typed, and have 1-inch margins throughout.
Note:
APA 7 provides slightly different directions for formatting the title pages of professional papers (e.g., those intended for scholarly publication) and student papers (e.g., those turned in for credit in a high school or college course). Student papers do not include a running header but do include the page number. Page 61 of your APA text is a great reference.
Organization of the Critical Analysis:
1. Introduction. Tell the reader what your paper is about in general and what it is that you will try to explain in the analysis.
2. Exposition. Provide a detailed definition of the two theories or view that you will be critically discussing in the paper. Cite passages you are interpreting to support your own interpretation. Define key terms in the analysis. Point out what significance(s), if any, the theory or view that you are considering has for other issues.
3. Critical Section. This is the pro and con of how the selected theory fits with the study and practice of human capital development. Provide a defense or view that supports the inclusion of your two theories in the practice of HCD. Begin your critical section by discussing one or two criticisms of the argument or view of each theory. Be sure you support your critical points by providing evidence or reasons for them. This means you will have in-text citations supporting those critical points.
After providing initial criticisms and backing them up with evidence, you should put yourself in the position of defending the HCD theory or topic you have just criticized. Consider in your analysis how others might most reasonably defend their position against the criticism(s) of the theories you identified. In developing this section of the paper, you should avoid giving responses that contradict what research says in other contexts.
Having now provided initial criticism(s) and having considered how these criticisms might most reasonably be responded to, you are now in the position to decide whether your initial criticism(s) really do have merit. The last part of the critical section should contain an explanation as to whether or not your initial criticisms still hold in light of the best responses to them.
4. Conclusion. Review the central points you have made in the analysis and explain what significance your conclusion has for other issues.
5. Points to Consider. In writing the paper, you should apply the principle of goodwill. What this means is that in interpreting the arguments or the views of others that you are discussing, and in criticizing those arguments, you should assume that the individuals/organizations involved may well have good reasons for their beliefs.
- Failure to explore other ideas objectively often results in the writing of poor critical papers. If you do not approach other arguments or views objectively, then you are likely to criticize their arguments or views as understood in their weakest form. However, good critical papers involve criticizing an argument or view when it is objectively interpreted in its strongest form.
- Also, keep in mind that when writing the analysis, you should write for an audience that does not know anything about the topic. Do not assume that the reader, whether it is your professor or anyone else, is familiar with the issues you are addressing. Your critical analysis should be read and understood by any competent (lay) reader regardless of their knowledge of the subject matter.
Galagan, P., Hirt, M., & Vital, C. (2020). Capabilities for talent development: shaping the future of the profession. Atd.
Rothwell W., Hohne, C., and King, S. (2018). Human performance improvement: Building practitioner performance (3rd ed.). New York: Routledge. ISBN: 978-1138237605.
Swanson, R., & Holton, E. (2009). Foundations of human resource development (2nd ed.). Oakland: Berrett-Koehler. ISBN: 978-1-57675-496.
Van Tiem, D., Moseley, J., & Dessinger, J. (2012). Fundamentals of performance improvement: Optimizing results through people, process, and organizations (3rd ed.). San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-1-118-02524-6.