Selecting a Topic for Your Paper
What's an appropriate topic?
1. Your topic must identify a specific type of fraud. It must be broad enough that there is adequate information about it, but narrow enough that you can address very specific approaches to prevent and detect it. For example, "theft of organization assets" is too broad. "Employee theft of inventory using fraud in retail stores" would be fine as would "Medicaid fraud by pharmacies." "Employee theft of Cipro using counterfeit script from Jackson Hospital" would be way too narrow. See the list of topics that I have approved for others and ones suggested by me for more ideas. These are ideas only and meant to stimulate your own ideas. The best topics are ones that interest you and you would like to know more about.
2. The fraud must either be a fraud against an organization, or one that a fairly typical type of organization could perpetrate. Since this is a management course, frauds such as con games that don't usually involve the typical organization are not acceptable. They must also meet the definition for fraud, not only something else like theft or larceny.
3. The topic should, ideally, be one that you are familiar with and that could occur in the industry in which you are currently working or have experience.
4. Be sure you understand what your paper will need to contain before you start on your topic. See the paper requirements.
5. Your topic should not overlap or duplicate that of another student's.
When should I choose a topic?
Start early. The earlier you start, the more time we will have to work together to get a "good" topic for you and the more time (and less stress) you will have to start researching while you are preparing for the course.
The deadline for an approved topic is 9:00 am Tuesday, January 7, 2003. Remember, the longer you wait, the more rushed you will be and the less likely you will get a topic that you are happy with.
Can I change my mind?
Yes, within reason, up until the deadline - with approval.
How do I get my topic approved?
Once you have decided on a topic, send me an e-mail indicating the proposed topic. Use the exact words you propose. I will e-mail you back, either approving or suggesting various options.
What if I can't/don't choose a topic?
One will be assigned from the list of topics.
Can I later use my paper as the basis for a publication?
Sure. There is a lot of interest currently in reducing fraud and there is no reason that your paper couldn't be fairly easily re-written for a specific industry publication. Let me know if you succeed.
- R. S. Kulzick - 10/13/2002 - last revision 10/14/2002 -