Write a paper on African American Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States.
Overview:
The Background and Significance is your opportunity to frame the problem that your DNP Project will address. You will need to consider all of the available literature (including databased, opinion papers, and “in the news”) and knowledge of local events. You will lay out the problem at the global or national level, and then at the local level. “Local” can be “your unit,” “your hospital,” “Brooklyn,” or even “New York,” depending on how you frame the problem.
Purpose:
The purpose of the assignment is to develop a clear argument to convince the reader about the importance of your selected topic and support the project you plan to implement. Evidence from the literature must be included to provide appropriate context and background. The significance of the problem should be developed from the foundation provided in the background and provide a clear synthesis of why this is an important issue.
Assignment Overview
For this assignment, you are expected to draft the background and significance of the problem. You will need to search the literature (PubMed, CINHAL) to identify and include references to support your argument. The background and significance should synthesize what is known and not known, and convince the reader of the importance of your topic.
Process:
Read assignment instructions completely (and request clarification) until you are confident with the instructions.
It is strongly suggested that you refer to the DNP Project Template provided for an example of key components of each of the sections.
Draft an outline, and from that a paper, that develops a compelling argument for your topic. Be sure to include:
Introduction (1-2 paragraphs);
Problem Descriiption (1-2 pages)
Local Problem (1-2 pages) – OPTIONAL
Available Knowledge (2-4 pages)
Rationale for Conducting this Survey (1-2 paragraphs)
Give your paper an appropriate title;
Use APA style headings and topic sentences to assist in organizing your paper and assuring adherence to all elements of the assignment.
Include at least six references on a Reference page, with in-text citations. Explore the use of a citation formatting/management tool (e.g., EndNote, Zotero). While not mandatory for this assignment, bibliographic referencing software will be REQUIRED in subsequent assignments). Now is a good time to get no-risk early feedback on using such a program.
Use these additional standard APA format elements:
Double-space;
1- inch margins;
Times New Roman 12-point font;
Title page (student version);
Running header (please include even with student version);
Pagination.
Remember not to exceed the length requirement. Your submission (excluding title page and References page) should not exceed 8 pages.
You may discuss the assignment with your classmates, but every student should submit their own, unique paper.
Consider scheduling a ZOOM “read aloud” meeting with peers ( to get and give feedback on draft paper. Consider bringing your draft paper to Academic Support Services at Downstate University or a hospital-affiliated university writing center.
Revise your draft papers following proofreading/peer review, taking into consideration but not necessarily incorporating the comments and feedback you received.
Submit your final paper by the deadline, in Microsoft Word format, using the appropriate Blackboard file attachment link. Save a copy of your assignment versions in your electronic files. If you cannot meet the deadline, please inform me.
GRADING RUBRIC:
Content
Possible Points
Introduction
5
Problem Descriiption & Local Problem (1-2 pages)
5
Available Knowledge & Rationale for Conducting the Survey
5
Scholarly Writing (clarity, grammar, flow, brevity)
5
APA format
5
25
OR, if you are not ready to describe the local problem:
Content
Possible Points
Introduction
5
Available Knowledge (1-2 pages)
5
Problem Dscriiption & Rationale for Conducting the Survey
5
Scholarly Writing (clarity, grammar, flow, brevity)
5
APA format
5
25
