Problem Focus Paper
Length requirement: 1,000-1,200 words by document word count (3 body pages-not including title page)
Assignment Description:
This assignment helps you explore the scope of the problem you are going to solve this semester. Once you identify the topic (or situation) and the major arguments (claims) currently surrounding this topic, you will conclude by narrowing the problem (claims) to focus on your future profession.
Suggested Outline (Do not use the outline headings as headings in your paper)
Introduction
Write an introduction that gives a summary of the topic, an overview of the current issues (last 5 years) regarding that topic, and a brief description of how the issue is relevant and influenced by your future profession.
Body
Part 1: What motivates you to research this topic and population? What concerns you the most? Who do you want to help? Keep your focus and intention clear. Do not use first person POV.
- Identify the topic, situation, and population.
- Identify current (last 5-7 years) major and minor claims on the problem that your future profession can influence.
- What is the scope of the problem? Who is most affected by the problem? Include statistics.
- What is the current thinking about this problem? What is not working in how it is being solved? What gaps exist in solving this problem?
↑Cite 2 professional sources for evidence in the above section (e.g., CDC, County or State Public Health Departments, University and Hospital sources).
Part 2: Compare and contrast the two PRJAs with each other and with your research plans
- What problem did each author study? How is it similar to your research problem? How does it differ?
- What did the authors recommend to solve the problem? How is their approach similar to what you are considering for your approach? How does it differ?
↑Cite 2 recent (last 5-7 years) PPRJA (primary peer reviewed journal articles) to tell a coherent story of the conversation you are entering into. Explain what the authors of these works did and how their work is relevant to your research.
Part 3: Write your problem statement (300 word max)
- What is the narrowed problem your profession can positively influence?
- Who is the population? Be specific and describe them using bias-free language.
- How is your profession currently working to solve this problem? Why and how is it not working? Use evidence to support this.
- Explain why changing your profession’s approach to your problem is important.
Conclusion
Conclude with a summary of why individuals in your professional field should be aware of the details raised in these arguments and claims. Elaborate on what a solution to your problem will enable your profession to do.
Format & Submission
- Four sources are required: 2 professional sources and 2 recent (last 5-7 years) PRJAs (Peer Reviewed Journal Articles)
- All paragraphs must be 5-7 sentences long and indented.
- Paraphrase only; Do not use direct quotes.
- Level 1 and 2 headings are required. Use the headings to help “answer” the major prompts above.