Course Project: Part 1 – Ishikawa Research Paper (due at the end of Week 3)

Objectives | Guidelines | Grading Rubrics | Best Practices

Objective
This project involves researching and writing a short biography on Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa. Our text addresses many of the areas in the management and control of quality and provides a great amount of information on a number of different quality concepts. However, the authors only mention Dr. Ishikawa in passing. Just who is Kaoru Ishikawa? Prepare a 500-word biographical paper on Ishikawa, describing his contributions to quality. You should not limit your research to online materials. Two of his books are excellent sources: (1) What is Total Quality Control: The Japanese Way (1985) and (2) Guide to Quality Control (1976). Submit the completed paper to your Dropbox.

You will research this person’s life and work to determine the impacts that he has had in the world. You will define the quality leader’s significant contributions to modern quality practices in terms of major impacts in a specific organization. The project will enable you to understand:

Ishikawa’s key ideas;
how Ishikawa has influenced quality practices throughout the world;
how his ideas fit into total quality management; and 
the implications of Ishikawa’s ideas for the future of quality.
The project will require sustained research effort until the paper is submitted. You are encouraged to begin work on the project during Week 1 and be prepared to submit the required project deliverables by the end of Week 3. A basic APA tutorial can be found in the Webliography, and a paper template can be found in Doc 

Course Project: Part 1 – Ishikawa Research Paper (due at the end of Week 3)
Objectives | Guidelines | Grading Rubrics | Best Practices
Objective
This project involves researching and writing a short biography on Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa. Our text addresses
many of the areas in the management and control of quality and provides a great amount of information
on a number of different quality concepts. However, the authors only mention Dr. Ishikawa in passing.
Just who is Kaoru Ishikawa? Prepare a 500-word biographical paper on Ishikawa, describing his
contributions to quality. You should not limit your research to online materials. Two of his books are
excellent sources: (1) What is Total Quality Control: The Japanese Way(1985) and (2) Guide to Quality
Control (1976). Submit the completed paper to your Dropbox.
You will research this person’s life and work to determine the impacts that he has had in the world. You
will define the quality leader’s significant contributions to modern quality practices in terms of major
impacts in a specific organization. The project will enable you to understand:
• Ishikawa’s key ideas;
• how Ishikawa has influenced quality practices throughout the world;
• how his ideas fit into total quality management; and
• the implications of Ishikawa’s ideas for the future of quality.
The project will require sustained research effort until the paper is submitted. You are encouraged to
begin work on the project during Week 1 and be prepared to submit the required project deliverables by
the end of Week 3. A basic APA tutorial can be found in the Webliography, and a paper template can be
found in Doc Sharing.
Guidelines

The paper will be a short biography on Kaoru Ishikawa. It will adhere to the grading specifications as
described below. The student will submit a paper of at least 500 words, not including title page and
references, by the end of class Week 3. The student will use at least two sources plus the course
textbook, for a minimum of three references. All references are to be from academic journals, professional
or academic textbooks, authored websites, or standard business publications such as The Wall Street
Journal. Not more that 30% of the content will be from direct quotations. The final score will be reduced
by one point for each percentage point when the direct quotations are over 30% of the content.
NOTE: Wikipedia and unauthored websites are not acceptable sources. Do not use these types of
sources; otherwise, you will lose points.
The format of the paper should conform to the Publication Manual for the American Psychological
Association (APA), 6th edition, for the title page, text, citations, references, and so forth. A basic APA
tutorial can be found in the Webliography, and a template for the paper can be found in Doc Sharing.
Completed papers will be submitted to your Dropbox as MS Word documents. All graphics will be a part
of the Word document and submitted as a file. Documents authored in other applications such as
WordPerfect or MS Works will not be accepted.
This project is to be accomplished individually and will reflect the work of each student. All DeVry
University policies are in effect, including the plagiarism policy. Late papers will not be accepted without
prior permission.
Submit your Ishikawa research paper to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page by
the end of Week 3. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these Step-by-Step Instructions or
watch this Dropbox Tutorial.
See Syllabus “Due Dates for Assignments & Exams” for due date information.

Grading Rubrics

Category
Content and
Organization

Points
30

%

60% Description
All key elements of the assignment are covered in a
substantive way.
• Introduction
• Background
• Primary work and significant accomplishments
• Conclusion
• Sources and references

5

The content is comprehensive, accurate, and/or persuasive.
The paper develops a central theme or idea that is directed
toward the appropriate audience.
The paper links theory to relevant examples of current
experience and industry practice and correctly uses the
vocabulary of the theory.
Content addresses key questions:

5

5

•
•

5

5
10

What ideas form the core of Ishikawa’s approach?
What are the implications of his ideas for the future of
TQM?

The primary work and significant accomplishments provide
sufficient background on each topic.
The conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper,
and reviews the major points.

5

Readability and
Style

Description

20%

Description

2

Paragraph transitions are present and logical and maintain
the flow throughout the paper.

2

The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.

2

Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.

2
2
Mechanics

10
2
2
2

Sentences are well constructed, with consistently strong,
varied sentences.
Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of
thought.
20% Description
The paper, including the title page, reference page, tables,
and appendices, follows APA guidelines for format.
Citations of original works within the body of the paper follow
APA guidelines.
The paper is laid out with effective use of headings, font
styles, and white space.

2

Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed.

2

Spelling is correct.

Total

50

100%

A quality paper will meet or exceed all of the above
requirements.

Best Practices

The following are the best practices in preparing this paper. Sample papers, using APA format, are
located in Doc Sharing. Other useful information has also been provided there, including an APA paper
template.
• Cover page: Include the person you prepared the paper for, who prepared it, and the date.
• Introduction: In APA format, the introduction is understood to be the first content of your
work; thus, it does NOT require a title.
The purpose of an introduction or opening:
o Introduce the subject and why the subject is important.
o Preview the main ideas and the order in which they will be covered.
o Establish the tone of the document.
o Include in the introduction a reason for the audience to read the paper. Also, include an
overview of what you are going to cover in your paper and the importance of the material.
(This should include or introduce the questions you are asked to answer on each
assignment.)
• Body of your work: Include titles to identify different areas that you address. State the main
ideas, major points in each idea, and supporting information. Break down each main idea you will
use in the body of your paper. Show some type of division, like separate sections that are labeled,
separate groups of paragraphs, or headers. You would include the information you found during
your research and investigation.
• Summary and conclusion: Summarizing is similar to paraphrasing, but it presents the gist of the
material in fewer words than the original. An effective summary identifies the main ideas and
major support points from the body of your report. Minor details are left out.
Additional hints on preparing the best possible project:
o Apply a three-step process of writing: plan, write, and complete.
o Prepare an outline of your research paper before you go forward.
o Complete a first draft, and then go back to edit, evaluate, and make any changes
required.
o Use visual communication if it will help clarify and support your work. Any material that
can be removed and not affect the clarity of your work is essentially filler and should be
avoided. Filler distracts from the flow of your work and will most likely cause you to lose
points.
• References: APA formatted references are required for this assignment.
A possible outline of the paper is provided below.
• Cover Page
• Introduction
o Overview of the paper
o Purpose and importance of the effort
• Background
o Personal background and life history (education, family life, living situations, etc.)
• Primary work and significant accomplishments
o Summary of his philosophy
o Summary of what he was focused on accomplishing in terms of quality

•
•

o Reviews and highlights of his books, articles, and manuscripts
o Detailed description of his key ideas, concepts, and quality approach
o Describe what results he achieved personally from their life work
o Summary of his influence on quality and Total Quality Management (TQM)
Conclusion
o Summarize the key points of your paper
References