Lesson 4 Discussion

In the discussion, respond to the following question:

• Both internal and external consultants face a marketing challenge. External consultants must get leads and eventually secure clients. But internal OD consultants must also market themselves internally to organizational clients. Regardless of your own experience and role, what suggestions would you have for internal OD consultants to build awareness of their capabilities to help managers and organizations? Please offer a list of actions for internal OD consultants to take to "market" themselves and their capabilities inside the organization.

Respond to two postings from your peers. Note: If two posts have been made to one peer, choose another peer’s response for your posting. Responses and postings will be evaluated on the quantity and quality of your submissions.

Research-Based Article Abstract

A research-based article summarizes the results of qualitative or quantitative research and reflects a systematic investigation of a topic. To emphasize: A research article is not based entirely or solely on the author's opinion. Examples of research articles might include studies focused on literature reviews, systematically conducted surveys, focus groups, social science experiments, or systematically conducted and analyzed interviews.

To complete this assignment, identify a research-based article on organization development or change management from such sources as Organization Development Journal, Leadership and Organizational Change, The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Group and Organization Studies, Organization Dynamics, Human Resource Development Quarterly, Performance Improvement Quarterly, or other relevant journals. Be sure that the article you select is based on research. (Points will be deducted if you choose an article based solely on one author's opinion or a group of authors' opinions.)

For purposes of this assignment, your research-based article should focus on the topic of managing or facilitating change in an organizational setting.

Begin each abstract with a complete bibliographic citation (using the current edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association).

After the bibliographic citation, describe

• the research problem or issue that was investigated,
• the research questions or objectives (if reported),
• the methodology used (that is, how the study was conducted),
• the approach to sampling used (if any),
• the study's results,
• key limitations and/or assumptions of the researcher (if listed), and
• issues identified for future study by the researcher (if any).

The paper should be five to six double-spaced pages.

Use the Grade Sheet for Research Abstract to assess yourself to ensure that you met the assignment's requirements before submission. Please submit your own self-graded grade sheet with your completed assignment.

Ellsa Cahoy, Education librarian, provides suggestions on the sources indicated above. Here is the library guide for Databases for Organization Development and Change at Penn State Libraries.