Week 2: The Clinical Issue and Research Questions Developed Using PICOT

PICOT is an acronym used to help develop clinical research questions and guide you in your search for evidence:

P = Patient population

I = Intervention or issue of interest

C = Comparison of interventions or comparison of interests

O = Outcome

T = Time frame

For example, you may wish to research the effects of interrupted sleep on cognition of ICU patients 65 or older.

Using this PICOT model,

In _________(P), how does __________ (I) compared to _________ (C) influence _________ (O) over ________ (T)?

In ICU patients who are 65 or older, how does interrupted sleep (awakened one time or more in four hours) as compared to uninterrupted sleep influence the patient’s cognitive ability over 5 days?

Assignment Directions

Begin by selecting a topic in nursing or medicine that is of interest to you. Next, use PICOT to format possible research questions about that topic. Provide 3 possible PICOT research questions.

Include the following:

• Title page
• Provide a brief description of the topic and background information.
• Explain the significance of the topic to nursing practice.
• Provide 3 clearly stated PICOT questions.

This assignment is aligned with the following learning outcomes:

MO 1.1 Demonstrate fluency with literary terminology and be able to apply these terms to works read in the course.

MO 1.2 Demonstrate their understanding of the characteristics and techniques of the major literary genres.

MO 1.3 Communicate clearly in a variety of modes and media.

MO 1.4 Demonstrate the ability to compose arguments on a variety of literary topics within genres of short fiction, poetry, and drama.

MO 1.5 Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively.

MO 1.6 Demonstrate the ability to analyze communication critically.

Instructions:

Regardless of its origin, this is an excellent example of flash or sudden fiction. Your assignment is to think about this six word story and write a mini-essay which answers the following questions:

• What does a story need in order to be a story?
• What questions does this story leave you with?
• What do you think is happening beneath the surface of these six words?
• Is the amount of what’s left unsaid unsettling? Interesting? Annoying?
• Do you think it’s harder to write a short short story like this one or a longer work, like a novel? Why?

Requirements:

• This mini-essay should be a minimum of 300 words. Try not to go over 500 words. You should set this up as a formal essay following MLA guidelines for formatting the paper. Click here for information on formatting the essay. (Links to an external site.)
• Although this is a rather short assignment, you still need to set up the paper as a formal essay including the following:
  1. Introduction–You do not want to jump in and start answering the guided writing questions. All essays should have some kind of a “hook” to catch the reader’s attention. Click here to learn more about writing an effective introduction. (Links to an external site.)
  2. Thesis Statement–The thesis statement should come at the end of the introduction. Highlight or underline your thesis. A thesis statement must express some kind of opinion or attitude towards the topic. For more information on writing an effective thesis statement, click here. (Links to an external site.)
  3. Body Paragraphs-The body paragraphs develop the ideas expressed in the thesis. You need to make sure your body paragraphs address all of the questions in the prompt. Each question does not necessarily need to be one paragraph. You decide how you want to organize these ideas. Each body paragraph should include a topic sentence leading the reader into that section of the essay.
  4. Support--You need to support your opinions. Feel free to use the information in this module on the elements of a short story. Do a bit of research on short (micro, flash, etc) fiction. Tell why you feel a certain way. Use examples as well to develop your ideas.
  5. Conclusion–The conclusion should sum up the ideas presented and should leave the reader with something to think about. Click here for more information on how to write a great conclusion. (Links to an external site.)
  6. Edit and Revise–Make sure you take time to edit your paper. Look for grammatical errors. Check your thesis. Make sure all body paragraphs support the thesis.Click here for more information on revision. (Links to an external site.)
  7. Reference Sources--You do not need a formal works cited page for this assignment. You do not need to include any in-text citations or quotes. However, if you reference any material in the essay, make sure you list the references at the end of the paper.
  8. Look Over the Rubric–The rubric shows how you will be accessed for this assignment. Study it before and after you write the paper so you know what you need to include to get a good grade.

Works Cited:

“Type Writer” (Links to an external site.) by John Douglas is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (Links to an external site.)

Rubric

Micro-Fiction Essay

Physical Activity Plan Presentation (CLO #6)

Develop a presentation outlining a physical activity plan for populations with a medical/physical limitation, or populations in a specific setting (e.g. public school system). Background information regarding the population and how you will assess the group will be presented. One activity plan specific to the population chosen will be presented. Health benefits of the exercise plan for the population will be reviewed.

Charts and handouts to share with the class are encouraged. Presentations should be 7-10 minutes in length. Online students will submit recorded presentations. Onsite students will present in-class.

• Example PA Plan Presentation Example PA Plan Presentation – Alternative Formats – PowerPoint File (986.9 KB)

– This is an example and not a “perfect” presentation.

Mod 03 Discussion – Identifying the Primary Aggressor

ONLY 2 PARAGRAPHS

As noted in the reading for this module, some states have implemented mandatory arrest policies for domestic violence. Since the implementation of these policies there has been an increase in dual arrest. This has created additional challenges.

Please read the article “She Hit Me, Too. Identifying the Primary Aggressor: A Prosecutor’s Perspective” by Gael Strack. Rasmussen College gratefully acknowledges the National Family Justice Center Alliance and Gael Strack for allowing us to reproduce this article.

Then consider this scenario:

Bob and Sue have been married for 10 years and had 3 children together: ages 7, 5, and 2. Bob struggles to maintain employment due to his alcohol addiction. Sue is a paraprofessional at her two children’s elementary school. Bob has been arrested three times for domestic violence. Last night their 7-year-old daughter called 9-1-1 and reported that her mom and dad were fighting. When the police arrived, Bob admitted to putting his hands around Sue’s neck. Sue was very angry when the police arrived and said that she punched Bob in the throat.

Your initial post should discuss what factors (outlined in the article) are most important to consider in this scenario. Include why you chose these factors. Then, put yourself in the role of the police officer. The post should also include three questions you believe should be asked of each party and what information you are hoping to gain from these questions. Finally, as the police officer, what will you do in in this case?

Your response post should be to a person who asked different questions than you or had a different response as the police officer. Compare and contrast your responses.

Module 03 Discussion – Implicit Bias ONLY 2 PARAGRAPHS

Because law enforcement officers, like others, are not immune to stereotyping, and because they are vested with considerable power and discretion, it is important to understand the content of these stereotypes and their potential effects on police discretion. In the article, Implicit Bias and Policing, the authors describe three implicit biases directly related to law enforcement practices general trait and behavioral stereotypes, race–crime stereotypes, and race–weapon association.

Initial Post

In your initial post, describe the three implicit biases and describe a strategy you can use to mitigate each one. Incorporate how the mitigation strategy may or may not impact your use of discretion.

Response Post

For your response post, suggest an additional strategy and consequence of not mitigating the bias. Describe why tactics at both the individual and agency level are needed to combat bias. Would limiting officer discretion prevent officer bias? Why or why not?