BHA4010Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and
Purpose Statements
Introduction
A research problem statement expresses the issue or phenomenon that a project is
intended to solve or improve. It also helps to show readers the importance of the issue and
defines the context for the study. To make problem statements more compelling, use
others’ past research to improve care and inspire further research. A review of the
literature can provide knowledge about what others have found useful in addressing
problems that are similar to the ones you face. By leveraging this evidence base, you can
create clearer and more compelling problem statements.
The purpose statement tells readers the intent of your research. Within the context of this
course, the intent is to make improvements related to one or more HACs of your choice.
Take, for instance, the case of a hospital-acquired infection resulting from the insertion of a
central line. You may determine through the literature search that other methods exist to
prevent infections.
Perhaps you noted that the staff members in your organization were not properly using
sterile techniques or outlining a sterile field. Your new process may involve adopting better
sterile protocols before inserting a catheter. In order to make the change, you will need to
provide evidence that this practice is based on research and is clearly accepted as the
standard practice.
Summary
Select an HAC that is relevant to a health care context with which you are familiar. Create a
2–3 page report that includes the research-based explanation of the background of a
problem associated with your chosen HAC. Also, develop appropriate research problem
and purpose statements.
If you prefer, choose a condition from a site other than a hospital, such as a free-standing
surgical center or long-term care facility. However, most of the literature focuses on HACs
because the problem was first identified in hospitals.
Instructions
This assignment has three distinct parts.
Part 1: Background and Evidence
For this first part of the assignment, select an HAC that is relevant to a health care context
with which you are familiar. Use this list as needed:
•
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2020, February 11). Hospitalacquired conditions.Links to an external
site. http://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicare-fee-for-servicepayment/hospitalacqcond/hospital-acquired_conditions.html
From your readings and independent research, you will compose a background
explanation of the HAC and how it manifests itself as an issue in a health care setting of
your choice. You will also create an evidence-based rationale for why further study of this
particular HAC is important.
This first part should be 1–2 pages long, with support from the literature for the
background of the issue, the importance of the problem within the context of your chosen
health care setting, and support for your purpose in pursuing your research project.
Relevant Scoring Guide Criteria
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Explain the background of a given research problem based on information in the
literature.
Apply evidence-based information to support the development of a given
research problem.
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the
diversity, dignity, and integrity of others and in a manner that is consistent with
expectations for health care professionals.
Part 2: Problem Statement
For this second part of the assignment, you will create a problem statement developed
from your review of the literature related to your chosen HAC. This problem statement will
help to inform the research questions. You will develop these further in the course
assignments.
A well-written problem statement should be 1–2 sentences long.
Problem Statement Checklist
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Identify the problem that led to the research.
o Is it easy to determine?
o Do identifying words provide a clue, or is it necessary to formulate
the problem on your own, based on other information?
Is the rationale or justification for the problem clearly stated?
Do the words in the problem statement indicate the kind of study performed?
Which words in particular?
Is evidence that was cited for the problem provided in the literature?
Relevant Scoring Guide Criteria
•
Develop a problem statement based on relevant literature.
•
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the
diversity, dignity, and integrity of others and that is consistent with expectations
for health care professionals.
Part 3: Purpose Statement
For this final part of the assignment, you will develop your purpose statement. It will
clearly lay out what you would hope to accomplish as you work toward addressing the
problem you have identified. Purpose statements should be grounded in the evidence and
indicate the kind of study that will be performed. This purpose statement will help to
inform the research questions you develop in throughout the course.
A well-written purpose statement should be 1–2 sentences long.
Purpose Statement Checklist
Identify the purpose that led to the research study.
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What is the study intended to accomplish? What are the desired outcomes?
Is the rationale or justification for the purpose clearly stated?
Do the words in the purpose statement indicate the kind of study
performed? Which words in particular?
Was the item that was cited as evidence for the purpose published within the
last five years?
Relevant Scoring Guide Criteria
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•
Formulate a purpose statement supported by a review of the literature.
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the
diversity, dignity, and integrity of others and that is consistent with expectations
for health care professionals.
Additional Submission Requirements
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Structure: Include a title page, table of contents, and reference page.
Length: There is no length requirement for this assignment. Most submissions
that fully address all scoring guide criteria will be 2–3 pages long.
References: Cite at least five current scholarly or professional resources.
Format: Use APA style for references and citations.
o You may wish to refer to the following APA resources to help with
your structure, formatting, and style:
▪ APA ModuleLinks to an external site..
▪ Evidence and APALinks to an external site..
▪ APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX]Links to an external site..
Font: Times New Roman, 12 points, double-spaced for narrative portions only.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the
following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
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Competency 2: Develop a research question based on a hospital-acquired
condition.
o Explain the background of a given research problem based on
information in the literature.
o Apply evidence-based information to support the development of a
given research problem.
Competency 3: Develop a HAC research project.
o Develop a problem statement based on relevant literature.
o Formulate a purpose statement supported by a review of the
literature.
Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and
respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others and is consistent with
the expectations of health care professionals.
o Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and
respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others and is
consistent with expectations for health care professionals.
View Rubric
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Criteria
Ratings
Explain the background of a given research problem based on information in
the literature.
view longer description
40 to >34 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Explains the
background of a
given research
problem based on
information in the
literature, providin
specific examples.
34 to >28 pts
PROFICIENT
Explains the
background of a
given research
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Criteria
Ratings
problem based on
information in the
literature.
28 to >0 pts
BASIC
Describes the
background of a
given research
problem based on
information in the
literature.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMAN
Does not describe t
background of a
given research
problem based on
information in the
literature.
Apply evidence-based information to support the development of a given
research problem.
view longer description
40 to >34 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Applies evidencebased information
support the
development of a
given research
problem, providing
specific examples.
34 to >28 pts
PROFICIENT
Applies evidencebased information
support the
development of a
given research
problem.
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Criteria
Ratings
28 to >0 pts
BASIC
Explains evidencebased information
support the
development of a
given research
problem.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMAN
Does not explain
evidence-based
information to
support the
development of a
given research
problem.
Develop a problem statement based on relevant literature.
view longer description
40 to >34 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Develops a problem
statement based on
relevant literature,
providing specific
examples.
34 to >28 pts
PROFICIENT
Develops a problem
statement based on
relevant literature.
28 to >0 pts
BASIC
Describes a proble
statement based on
relevant literature.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMAN
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Criteria
Ratings
Does not describe a
problem statement
based on relevant
literature.
Formulate a purpose statement supported by a review of the literature.
view longer description
40 to >34 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Formulates a
purpose statement
supported by a
review of the
literature, providin
specific examples.
34 to >28 pts
PROFICIENT
Formulates a
purpose statement
supported by a
review of the
literature.
28 to >0 pts
BASIC
Describes a purpos
statement support
by a review of the
literature.
0 pts
NON_PERFORMAN
Does not describe a
purpose statement
supported by a
review of the
literature.
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Criteria
Ratings
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of
the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others and is consistent with
expectations for health care professionals.
view longer description
40 to >34 pts
DISTINGUISHED
Communicates wit
exceptional clarity
a manner that is
scholarly,
professional, and
respectful of the
diversity, dignity,
and integrity of
others and is
consistent with
expectations for
health care
professionals.
34 to >28 pts
PROFICIENT
Communicates in a
manner that is
scholarly,
professional, and
respectful of the
diversity, dignity,
and integrity of
others and is
consistent with
expectations for
health care
professionals.
28 to >0 pts
BASIC
Communicates in a
manner that is
consistent with
expectations for th
health care
profession.
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Week 3 Assignment: Research Problem and Purpose Statements
Criteria
Ratings
0 pts
NON_PERFORMAN
Does not
communicate in a
manner that is
consistent with
expectations for th
health care
profession.
Total Points: 0