Problem Statement and Theoretical Framework

Purpose: To build the intellectual foundation for your Midterm Paper and Final Presentation.
The instructor will provide detailed feedback to this exercise, charting the course for your work throughout the semester. Your write-up resulting from this Assignment 1 will serve as introductory part of your Midterm Assignment.
Timeline: Please submit this assignment by Week
What to do: Please choose the social problem that you will describe in your work during this semester. Problems to choose from may include socio-economic, mental / behavioral health related, and / or social / criminal justice problems, among others.
Size: Approximately 3 pages (double-spaced)

Please draft the following:
1. Problem statement (in the context of a clinical case, or administrative or policy-related situation).
Please outline:
a. The broad construct depicting the problem,
b. The example of a community / population experiencing the problem,
c. The main measureable outcome(s) representing the problem, and
d. The service system(s) in charge of addressing the problem.
Please describe the main cause(s) of the problem and elaborate on the social-behavioral mechanisms by which these causes affect the outcome.
2. Theory framework guiding response to the problem (for clinical cases may be represented by the intervention methodology); key constructs (predictors, outcomes, mediators, moderators/buffers) of the theory framework. Please write how the key constructs of the chosen theory framework will align with the “ground reality” of the social problem you are describing, and with the way in which the service system in charge addresses this problem.

EXAMPLE 1:
Problem Statement schematic:
a. Problem: Disproportionate high school dropouts in low-SES minority population
b. Community / population: Black and Latino urban community in Northern Bedford Stuyvesant, NY
c. Outcome: Annual High School Graduation Rates
d. Service Systems in charge: Northern Bedford Stuyvesant public schools (primary, middle, and high), mental health service system (including Early Intervention agencies, Head Start); etc.
Theory framework: Malleability Mindset Theory, Yaeger & Dweck (2012)
· Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience: When students believe that personal characteristics can be developed. Educational psychologist, 47(4), 302-314.

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