This document provides guidelines for a course research project on comparing the healthcare systems of the United States and another country. Students must research the healthcare system of another country, compare it to the U.S. system across several topics, and write a 4-6 page paper. The project is broken into several assignments across the 10 weeks, including selecting a topic in week 3, drafting a thesis and outline in week 5, and peer reviewing drafts in week 8. The final paper is due at the end of week 10 and will be graded based on organization, depth of comparisons and contrasts, mechanics, formatting, and use of references.

1. Course Research Project Guide H200 US Healthcare Systems Spring 2013
Week 03 Course Research Project - Introduction
Throughout this course, gaining a firm conceptual overview of the U.S. health care system is the primary
target. With that being said, this project takes a slightly different approach, in comparison to the focus
of U.S. health care systems.
You are provided an opportunity to thoroughly research the health care system of a foreign country. In
light of studying the health care system of a foreign country you are to take the information and
compare and contrast health care delivery to the principles implemented here in the U.S. Taking what
you have learned in this course along with the use of outside resources you are to incorporate and gain
a full understanding of the similarities and differences of a foreign country's health care system in
comparison with that of the U.S.
Due Date - Your final research project is due by the end of Week 10. Along the way, you are responsible
to turn in portions of your project according to the following time line:
Week Assignment Date
03 Select Your Topic – Assignment Submitted Sunday, April 28
04 Research
05 Thesis and Outline – Assignment Submitted Sunday, May 12
06 Start Rough Draft
07 Continue with Rough Draft
08 Discussion Forum –
Peer Review of Rough Draft submitted to forum
Monday, May 27 –
Saturday, June 1
09 Final Revisions
10 Final Project – Assignment Submitted Sunday, June 16
Requirements - During this research paper making sure that the topical information submitted,
thoroughly covers and supports the goal of the project is essential (4-6 pages for the body of the paper).
In general, your paper should consist of the following pages:
Title Page
Body
References Page
Evaluation - Each assignment leading up to the final paper is evaluated and graded independently.
Specific grading criteria, for each step of the project, is provided below.

2. Course Research Project Guide H200 US Healthcare Systems Spring 2013
Week 03 Course Research Project – Select Your Topic
Choose a foreign country whose health care system you are interested in learning more about. For this
project you are being asked to compare and contrast aspects of a foreign country's health care system
with that of the U.S.
Ideas include:
1. Canada
2. England
3. France
4. Germany
5. Japan
6. Brazil
7. Or, other country of your own choosing
Present your chosen country in a brief report to your instructor that:
Identifies the country you have chosen to research, compare/contrast, and write about.
Explains why you have selected this country to contrast with the U.S.
Briefly explains what you already know, or think that you know, about the country's health care
system.
Briefly explains what you hope to gain from completing this project.
Submit your completed assignment to the drop box in Week 03. Note the scoring criteria below and
ensure you have thoroughly addressed each area listed to obtain maximum credit for your hard work.
Scoring Criteria Points
Identifies the country and explains why it was selected to compare and contrast with
the U.S.
5
Briefly explains prior knowledge about the country's health care system. 5
Briefly explains what the student hopes to gain from completing this project. 5
Mechanics are according to required standards. Please ensure your name is in the
header of the paper along with an appropriate title for the assignment.
5
Total 20

3. Course Research Project Guide H200 US Healthcare Systems Spring 2013
Week 05 Course Research Project – Thesis & Outline
Brainstorm and develop your thesis and outline. These two elements will help give direction to your
research paper. For tips on writing an effective thesis and outline use your college's Online Library,
which you can access through the Resources tab.
Your outline should include the following:
Title Page - captivating title, your name, title of the course, date.
Body - introduction, comparisons and contrasts, strong conclusion. Comparisons and contrasts
should include at least 3 of the following topics: health care spending, health care costs, health
insurance, medical education, professions in health care, health care settings, and/or
reimbursement.
References page - in APA format (video tutorials on all things APA --
http://guides.rasmussen.edu/content.php?pid=335873&sid=2747398)
Submit your completed assignment to the drop box. Note the scoring criteria below and ensure you
have thoroughly addressed each area listed to obtain maximum credit for your hard work.
**The Library & Learning Centers offer free webinars every week on a variety of topics. Check out the
calendar of events at http://guides.rasmussen.edu/llcwebinarseries -- you’ll find several of benefit to
you as you create the Thesis & Outline for your research project. I’ve listed a few on our Course
Calendar as well
Scoring Criteria Points
Strong thesis statement which states the main point of the project and suggests the path that
the project will follow.
7
Outline listing of the topics and sub-topics for the project. 8
Uses proper outline format including alternating series of numbers and letters, indented
accordingly, to indicate levels of importance.
5
Total 20

4. Course Research Project Guide H200 US Healthcare Systems Spring 2013
Week 08 Discussion – Peer Review of Rough Draft
You have been working hard on your Course Research Project. This is the week to share your rough draft
with your classmates. This is otherwise known as a peer review!
For your initial post, upload your completed rough draft, including your references to the discussion
forum. Submit your rough draft as early as possible so that other students have a chance to read it and
provide feedback. A rough draft is like a final draft – the only difference is that you’ll receive feedback on
this draft and then look to make changes based on that feedback. Remember the body of the paper
should be 4-6 pages. Below is how I will score your final research project. Keep these pieces in mind as
you craft your first draft.
Scoring Criteria Points
Organization: The document should exhibit a logical flow from start to finish and
demonstrate your ability to report information in a clear and organized format (attention
grabbing introductory paragraph, logical transitions, paragraph development, conclusion
providing summary and impact of the paper). Section headings can be used to create the
document so all the information is displayed in an easily readable document.
10
Comparisons (examination of the similarities between 2 items): Includes at least 3 of the
following topics: health care spending, health care costs, health insurance, medical education,
professions in health care, health care settings, and/or reimbursement.
30
Contrasts (examination of the differences between 2 items): Includes at least 3 of the
following topics: health care spending, health care costs, health insurance, medical education,
professions in health care, health care settings, and/or reimbursement.
30
Mechanics: Follow required standards with regards to spelling, grammar, and sentence
structure. Written according to standard English.
10
Formatting: Professional appearance, following APA guidelines. Includes title page, page
headers, and page numbers. Uses proper spacing and margins following APA guidelines.
5
References: References page includes at least 4 academically credible research sources,
formatted following APA guidelines. At least one reference must be a peer-reviewed journal
article.
10
In-text citations: Utilized appropriately throughout the document. 5
TOTAL 100
For your response post, review the work of another classmate. As you do, consider the following:
Does the thesis outline what the paper is about?
Does the information presented support the thesis?
Is the information presented clearly and sequentially?
Is the conclusion an accurate portrayal of the information?
Are the sources cited in correct APA format? –provide a tool to help them with this
As a peer reviewer you also want to check for correct mechanics such as grammar and spelling. Help
your classmate to effectively enhance their overall paper. Remember that this is a critique of the actual
written assignment and not of your peer. As this week’s work is intensive in examination, I will ask that
you reply to one classmate and respond to the individual who replies to you. Be sure you are checking in
periodically throughout the week.

5. Course Research Project Guide H200 US Healthcare Systems Spring 2013
Week 10 Course Research Project – Final Project
Review the feedback that you received from your peer review last week. Make any necessary edits and
finalize your Course Research Project. Submitting your paper to the Brainfuse Writing Lab (see
Resources tab) is also a great way to receive feedback.
Submit your completed project by the end of the week to the dropbox. Include your outline at the end.
For APA guidelines, check in the Online Library in the Resources tab or in the Lessons tab, Course
Research Project folder.
Scoring Criteria Points
Organization: The document should exhibit a logical flow from start to finish and
demonstrate your ability to report information in a clear and organized format (attention
grabbing introductory paragraph, logical transitions, paragraph development, conclusion
providing summary and impact of the paper). Section headings can be used to create the
document so all the information is displayed in an easily readable document.
10
Comparisons (examination of the similarities between 2 items): Includes at least 3 of the
following topics: health care spending, health care costs, health insurance, medical education,
professions in health care, health care settings, and/or reimbursement.
30
Contrasts (examination of the differences between 2 items): Includes at least 3 of the
following topics: health care spending, health care costs, health insurance, medical education,
professions in health care, health care settings, and/or reimbursement.
30
Mechanics: Follow required standards with regards to spelling, grammar, and sentence
structure. Written according to standard English.
10
Formatting: Professional appearance, following APA guidelines. Includes title page, page
headers, and page numbers. Uses proper spacing and margins following APA guidelines.
5
References: References page includes at least 4 academically credible research sources,
formatted following APA guidelines. At least one reference must be a peer-reviewed journal
article.
10
In-text citations: Utilized appropriately throughout the document. 5
TOTAL 100