06 Jul Foundation for your final paper
The purpose of this assignment is to develop a strong, working foundation for your final paper. You will identify a topic area and develop a problem- or issue-related topic within that area of interest. As you develop this specific topic, keep in mind that your eventual goal is to formulate and present a solution to the healthcare issue or problem you identify.
Your topic proposal should include the following items and address the following:
Describe the topic you wish to pursue.
● It may be somewhat broad at this point and it may imply a problem. Use the Additional Resources in your course materials to help you search for ideas.
Identify your purpose: Why are you interested in this topic? (Narrow your topic.)
● Specifically explain what it is that fascinates you or draws you to this topic.
● Clearly describe the topic’s relevance in the field today.
● Identify a purpose for a paper on this topic:
○ What might you accomplish in exploring this problem?
○ What is your intended goal?
■ To evoke change
■ To make new connections (new cause and effect)
■ To introduce a new theory, solution, or idea
○ Is this goal realistic?
Identify a problem within the topic and draft a problem statement. (It will likely evolve and be revised as you progress through your research.)
● Identify a problem related to your topic and state it.
● The problem statement should be specific and indicate the focus of your final paper.
○ Not too narrow, not too broad
○ Intellectually challenging (a simple solution is not apparent)
● Who would benefit from a solution to this problem (who is the target population)?
Your paper should be 1–2 pages. Adhere to APA Style throughout.
Review the rubric for further information on how your assignment will be graded.
Week 2 Assignment: Searching and Evaluating Scientific and/or Mathematical/Analytical Resources (Weekly Written Assignment)
Search and Evaluate
This week, you will find three scholarly, peer-reviewed research articles on your topic. Remember that next week you will submit a paper on Scientific and/or Mathematical/Analytical perspectives of inquiry, so use this week’s assignment to prepare materials and collect information for that purpose.
Use articles that will help you explain and describe scientific issues and/or statistical data or economic information related to your topic. You will analyze and evaluate these articles in your submission, which should include:
● A brief introductory paragraph.
● Three separate paragraphs, one for each of the three articles, each presenting:
○ A brief 3–4 sentence summary of the article (use in-text citations)
○ An explanation as to what makes this source credible (in the WCU Library go to Research Guides > Research Basics > Evaluating Resources)
○ An explanation of why the article will be useful in addressing your problem or issue
● A brief conclusory paragraph
● An APA Style reference list on a separate page
Your paper should be 1–3 pages in length (including the References page). Adhere to APA Style throughout.
Review the rubric for further information on how your assignment will be graded.
Week 3 Assignment: Scientific and Mathematical/Analytical Perspectives of Inquiry Paper
Compose a focused paper that explains and describes your healthcare issue/topic from the scientific and mathematical/analytical perspectives of inquiry. (You will cover two perspectives in one paper.)
Address your general topic by forming and answering two levels of research questions for each inquiry.
● Choose a “Level 1 Research Question/Writing Prompt” from both of the lists below to answer in the paper.
● Compose a “Level 2 Research Question/Writing Prompt” for each kind of inquiry that provides detail, specificity, and focus to your inquiry, research, and writing.
● State your research questions in the introduction of your paper.
● Answer each research question and support your assertions with evidence (research) to form the body of your paper.
● In the conclusion of the paper, briefly review the issues, research questions, answers, and insights.
Level 1 Research Questions/Writing Prompts
SCIENTIFIC Perspective of Inquiry
● What are the anatomical, physiological, pathological, or epidemiological issues?
● Which body systems are affected?
● What happens at the cellular or genetic level?
● Which chemical or biological issues are most important?
Level 1 Research Questions/Writing Prompts
MATHEMATICAL/ANALYTICAL Perspective of Inquiry
● What are the economic issues involved?
● Which economic theories or approaches best explain the issue?
● What are the statistical facts related to the issue?
● Which statistical processes used to study the issue provide for the best explanation or understanding?
Your paper must be five pages in length and reference four to six scholarly, peer-reviewed resources. Be sure to follow current APA Style (e.g., spacing, font, headers, titles, abstracts, page numbering).
Refer to the rubric for evaluation details and to assist in preparing the paper.
Points: 100
Week 4 Assignment: Searching and Evaluating Cultural and/or Ethical Resources (Weekly Written Assignment)
Search and Evaluate
This week, you will find three scholarly, peer-reviewed research articles on your topic. Remember that next week you will submit a paper on Cultural and/or Ethical perspectives of inquiry, so use this week’s assignment to prepare materials and collect information for that purpose.
Use articles that will help you explain and describe cultural and/or ethical, legal or regulatory issues related to your topic. You will analyze and evaluate these articles in your submission, which should include:
● A brief introductory paragraph
● Three separate paragraphs, one for each of the three articles, each presenting:
○ A brief 3–4 sentence summary of the article (use in-text citations)
○ An explanation as to what makes this source credible (in the WCU Library go to Research Guides > Research Basics > Evaluating Resources)
○ An explanation of why the article will be useful in addressing your problem or issue
● A brief conclusory paragraph
● An APA Style reference list on a separate page
Your paper should be 1–3 pages in length (including the References page). Adhere to APA Style throughout.
Review the rubric for further information on how your assignment will be graded.
● Week 5 Assignment: Ethical and Cultural Perspectives of Inquiry Paper
Compose a focused paper that explains and describes your healthcare issue or topic from a cultural and ethical perspective of inquiry. (You will cover two perspectives in one paper.)
Form and answer two levels of research questions for each inquiry to address your chosen topic.
● Choose a “Level 1 Research Question/Writing Prompt” from both of the lists below to answer in the paper.
● Compose a “Level 2 Research Question/Writing Prompt” for each kind of inquiry that provides detail, specificity, and focus to your inquiry, research, and writing.
● State your research questions in your paper’s introduction.
● Form the body of your paper by answering each research question and support your assertions with evidence (research).
● In the conclusion of the paper, briefly review the issues, research questions, answers, and insights.
●
Level 1 Research Questions/Writing Prompts
ETHICAL Perspective of Inquiry
● What laws govern or pertain to the issue?
● What ethical obstacles affect how the medical community addresses the issue?
● How do ethical theories apply to the issue?
● How do money, power, and control matters relate to the issue and its treatment?
●
Level 1 Research Questions/Writing Prompts
CULTURAL Perspective of Inquiry
● Which cultural values and/or norms influence the issue?
● How is the issue addressed differently in varying cultural contexts and situations?
● Which cultures or societies are most affected by the issue? Why?
● Which cultural traditions affect the treatment(s)?
●
● Your paper must be five pages in length and reference four to six scholarly, peer-reviewed resources. Be sure to follow current APA Style (e.g., spacing, font, headers, titles, abstracts, page numbering).
● Refer to the rubric for evaluation details and to assist in preparing the paper.
● Points: 100
● Due: Sunday, 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time)
● Week 6 Assignment: Drafting the Abstract (Weekly Written Assignment Worksheet)
This week, you will submit a draft of your final paper’s abstract. This assignment will help you draft your final paper due next week.
Complete either worksheet format below and submit it to Blackboard for grading.
Worksheet PDF
Worksheet Word Document Format
Review the rubric for further information on how your assignment will be graded.
Points: 20
Due: Sunday, 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time)
● Important!
Review your instructor’s feedback on your previous papers to make improvements. Remember to allow enough time for proofreading and editing!
● Week 7 Assignment: Signature Assignment Paper: Culminating Argument
The culminating argument paper is a restructuring of the first two papers with the addition of an abstract, introduction, and conclusion.
● This paper should include a newly composed introductory section and a new final conclusion section that presents your discussion of (and argument for) the solution. Your argument, or rationale, for the solution that you propose is the focus of this paper.
● Your paper must:
● Be 15–20 pages in length
○ Title page (1 page)
○ Introduction (1–2 pages)
○ Reworked informative papers (10–15 pages)
○ Conclusion (1–2 pages)
○ References (1–2 pages)
● Reference 12–15 scholarly, peer-reviewed resources (compiled by combining all of the references from your Perspective of Inquiry papers and any additional resources you use in this final paper.)
● Follow all APA Style guidelines.
● Refer to the rubric for evaluation details and to assist in preparing the paper.
Points: 150
Due: Sunday, 11:59 pm (Pacific time)
