Running head: DRAFT PROBLEM STATEMENT DRAFT
Draft Problem Statement
Monica R. Woods
University Of Phoenix
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DRAFT PROBLEM STATEMENT
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Qualitative-Quantitative Problem Statement Draft
Qualitative Statement of the Problem
African-American students in grades K-12, continue to perform below the proficient level
Comment [HL1]: Good use of headings.
Also, you are required to add an introduction to your
paper for all doctoral papers.
on formative assessments in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) (United States
Department of Education (USDE) (2014) African-Americans only made up 5% of all
engineering bachelor’s degrees achieved and entering the field of engineering as of 2010
(NACME, 2012). 4th-grade African-American students scored 16.25 percentage points lower
than the proficiency level in Reading and 25 percentage points lower for Math. In addition, 8thgrade African-American students scored on average, 20 percent lower proficiency level for
Reading and 16.5 percentage points lower than proficiency in Math (Smith, 2014). Improving
Comment [HL2]: This material appears to be
direct quotation and should either be paraphrased or
cited appropriately. See the APA manual for proper
citation when using material directly in your text.
proficiency levels in assessments and closing the gap between African-American students’
academic performance is essential to leveling the opportunities for entering into STEM fields of
Comment [HL3]: The gap between African
American students and who?
study. This is an important step in our society and the world in preparing all of our students to
achieve according to their abilities and desires, and not being hindered because of their
economical status or ethnicity. , yYet, educators continue to demonstrate failure in
implementing an effective solution for addressing the needs of students who are failing to
perform at a proficient level or higher in science and math.
Comment [HL4]: The basis for your problem
stressed reading and math; not science and math –
maintain consistency in what is the problem.
This qualitative analysis will examine data collected through observations,
questionnaires, and interviews to describe the attitudes and personal perceptions about science
and math content of students and teachers in selected elementary classrooms in schools identified
Does research exist that address this issue?
This is a good point to add your interrogative
problem statement that captures the problem to be
studied…
E.g.. what are the perceptions of elementary school
students and teachers on improving proficiency
levels?
having scored below the proficient level on formative assessments. The intent of this study is to
You should end the basis for the problem but clearly
stating the problem in a question or declarative form.
provide information that will drive classroom instruction towards effective instruction,
motivation, and student understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
Comment [HL5]: Good start to your purpose
statement. You will develop this further in week5
with focus on specifying the research design; e.g.
case study, grounded study etc. as well as the other
requirements for the purpose statement.
DRAFT PROBLEM STATEMENT
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content that will increase students’ knowledge, interest, and ability for consideration of STEM
careers.
Quantitative Statement of the Problem
Teachers in Elementary schools struggle to teach standards to students effectively
because they have to instruct 5-7 courses throughout the day (Gewertz, 2014). Elementary
teacher should become more knowledgeable and specialized to teach in fewer content areas in
order to fully instruct students.
Under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001, administrators and educators face
excruciating pressure to make huge improvements in student achievement in their schools
Comment [HL6]: The transition from this
paragraph to the next is not clear or smooth.
Consider consolidating into one to since they are
both centered around classroom instruction.
(Gewertz, 2014). Response to this pressure has led educators to rethinking how schools and
classrooms are organized for instruction. A long time practice in U.S. middle and high schools,
departmentalizing, may offer an effective solution. This model of instruction, also called
“specializing or platooning” (p. 1), asks teachers to become experts in one to two content areas
while student move from one classroom to another (Gewertz, 2014).
This quantitative study is intended to analyze the data collected from an elementary
school that operates generalized, self-contained classrooms and an elementary school that has
implemented departmentalization or platooning at the elementary level. Data will be collected
through surveys, interviews, and observations of student and teacher participants of selected
elementary school classrooms in school districts identified to have consistent low scores on
formative assessments. The intent of this study is to identify effective solutions that will provide
teaching methods, classroom models, tools, and techniques that inspire student learning.
Comment [HL7]: Good development of the basis
for the problem. Also state the gap that exist for
your problem based on the question that you will
address.
Is there a comparative analysis between the results of
both models of instruction. Use an interrogative
statement here to wrap up the problem statement by
asking exactly what the study will address. This way
you will declare your variables for the study.
Comment [HL8]: Good start to your purpose
statement, but you will build on this in your week 5
assignment by choosing the research design (e.g.
descriptive quantitative research, correlational, etc.)
and adding other elements of the purpose statement.
DRAFT PROBLEM STATEMENT
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Conclusion
Although there have been various efforts by administrators to improve instruction in the
classroom, students continue to perform at a low level of proficiency on formative assessments
in science and math in the Unite States. African-American students continue to perform at an
even lower level of proficiency than students of other groups. This qualitative study seeks to
Comment [HL9]: Ethnicity or racial groups???
examine key factors that promote or discourage African-American students to pursue studying or
selecting careers in STEM fields. An examination of quantitative data will be used to derive
meaningful, relative practices of teaching in the elementary classroom. Motivating students to
learn is key to changing the trajectory of students’ formative assessment scores from low
achieving to proficient or high achieving. Transitioning teachers from generalists to experts to
specialize in fewer content areas may provide effective instruction and motivate student learning
that leads to student engagement and comprehension.
Comment [HL10]: Very good conclusion to your
paper.
DRAFT PROBLEM STATEMENT
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References
Gewertz, C. (2014, February). 'Platooning' on the rise in early grades. Education
Weekly, 33(21), 1-17. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.
contentproxy.phoenix.edu/ehost.
University of Phoenix (2015). Transforming attitudes and lives: Liberating African-American
elementary and middle school students in out of school time stem education. Retrieved
from the University of Phoenix, RES/711 Fundamental Principles of Research Design
website.
U.S. Department of Education. (2014). U.S. department of education. Retrieved from
http://www.ed.gov./programs/titleiparta/index.html
U.S. Department of Education. (2015). No Child Left Behind. Retrieved from
http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
DRAFT PROBLEM STATEMENT
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University of Phoenix Material
Written Assignment Feedback Form
Student/Group Name
Course
Res 722
Date
Assignment Revised Problem
Statements & Feedback Summary
Content and Development 7 Points
All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive
way :
Revised Problem Statement
 Problem formulation is constructive and complete with:
o Clear, contextual topic, well documented issue,
clearly presented context, alignment of problem,
purpose, research question and design;
appropriate methodological approach.
 Revisions clearly explain contribution to the knowledge
including what is lacking, why it is important.
 Clearly defines rationale for the problem formulation
 Review of relevant scholarship
Feedback Summary
 Summarize/synthesize all comments, questions and
suggestions from peers and facilitator
 Provide adequate specific description on how you
addressed each feedback item.
Statements submitted to each team forum for peer review as
required.
The content is comprehensive, accurate, and persuasive.
The paper develops a central theme or idea, directed toward
the appropriate audience.
The paper links theory to relevant examples and uses the
vocabulary of the theory correctly.
Major points are stated clearly; are supported by specific
details, examples, or analysis; and are organized logically.
The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic
and previews major points.
The conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper,
and reviews the major points.
Readability and Style 1.0 Points
Paragraph transitions are present, logical, and maintain the flow
throughout the paper.
Points Earned6.4 /7
Additional Comments:
Good revisions to your
research problems and paper.
See comments to improve the
final problem statement that
clarifies the gap that you are
addressing in your research.
Very good synthesis of the
feedback.
Points Earned 0.9/1.0
Additional Comments:
The tone of your paper is
improved with good transition
DRAFT PROBLEM STATEMENT
The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.
Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.
Sentences are well constructed, with consistently strong, varied
sentences.
Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of
thought.
Mechanics 1.0 Points
7
between most of your
paragraphs. See comments on
consolidation.
Points Earned 0.9/1.0
Additional Comments:
Good use of APA style but there
are still some inconsistencies
with APA requirement. See
comments in paper
The paper, including tables and graphs, headings, title page, and
reference page, is consistent with APA guidelines and meets
course-level requirements.
Intellectual property is recognized with in-text citations and a
reference page.
The paper is laid out with effective use of headings, font styles,
and white space.
Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed.
Sentences are complete, clear, concise, and varied.
Spelling is correct.
Total 9 Points
Points Earned 8.2/9
Overall Comments:
Good improvement in your research plan. See comments on how to continue to improve your
research plan including avoiding any form of improper citation.