AAPC Fellow Resources

Helpful Resources

• Sample Application

  Look at an application example

• Research Paper Outline Guidance

  Review these tips and links to prepare your outline

  We recommend starting with a strong understanding of research paper and outline expectations. A research paper is not just a fact-based essay; it should propose new ideas and then offer supporting evidence. Outlines should demonstrate that your research paper will be tackling an issue from a new and unique perspective. We strongly advise applicants to review the following resources to become more acquainted with outlines and research papers.

  • Research paper guidelines from AAPC
  • General research paper guidelines here or here

  Your outline can be short and succinct, or in complete sentences as they will appear in the research paper itself. As long as you have communicated your ideas well, your arguments seem to support your thesis, and you seem to have logical support for each of your arguments, your research paper will be on the right track. We recommend adding structure to your arguments and supporting arguments with lettering and numbering of points, as depicted in the Sample Application. You do not have to follow the format exactly; this is just one way of ordering your paper wisely.

• Sample Research Paper

  Read an exemplary research paper

• Grading Rubric/Process

  View the guidelines by which Fellowship research papers are measured

  Research paper outlines (submitted in the initial application) are reviewed by a Fellowship Committee in a process that may take up to four weeks. Applicants whose outlines are approved are notified by email, with instructions on submitting the research paper itself. Applicants whose outlines are denied are also notified by email, and more details on the denial are explained, including feedback on the outline if that was an area needing improvement.

  The same Fellowship Committee reviews the submitted research papers. Each reviewer uses the same grading rubric to evaluate a research paper, awarding points based on the following criteria:

  
  

  • Introduction - States topic/thesis with clarity, interests reader quickly
  • Quality of Research - Cites several reliable, relevant sources appropriately and correctly
  • Content Knowledge - Uses logical arguments to support thesis and demonstrates expertise and critical thinking with all examples, diction, etc.
  • Conclusion - Provides impactful/motivating summary of arguments and thesis
  • Writing - Offers a logical flow with smooth transitions and exhibits professionalism in being free from spelling or grammatical errors

  
  

  Research paper scores are averaged from all reviewers, and applicants whose papers receive an average of 80% or higher are accepted as Fellows and notified by email, within six weeks of submission. Applicants whose research papers do not meet this standard also receive notification by email, with further details of what areas in their research paper could be improved.

  Those who receive feedback, whether in response to a denied outline or research paper, are encouraged to rework their submission and reapply.