Developing Research-Based Solution s to Problems of Practice Scoring Guide CRITERIA NON-PERFORMANCE BASIC PROFICIENT DISTINGUISHED Define a problem of practice in an organization. 20% Does not define a problem of practice in an organization. Provides a somewhat unclear or inaccurate problem of practice in an organization. Defines a problem of practice in an organization. Defines a problem of practice in an organization concisely and incorporates strong support from scholarly sources. Analyze key findings from two original, peer reviewed research reports from within the last 5 years. 20% Does not analyze key findings from two original, peer reviewed research reports from within the last 5 years. Provides somewhat unclear or inaccurate analysis of findings from two original, peer reviewed research reports from within the last 5 years. Analyzes key findings from two original, peer reviewed research reports from within the last 5 years. Analyzes key findings from two original, peer reviewed research reports from within the last 5 years, incorporating strong support from scholarly sources. Evaluate key findings from the research reports. 20% Does not evaluate key findings from the research reports Provides a somewhat unclear or inaccurate evaluation of key findings from the research reports. Evaluates key findings from the research reports. Evaluates key findings from the research reports, incorporating strong support from scholarly sources. Propose an evidence based solution to the problem of practice. 20% Does not propose an evidence based solution to the problem of practice. Provides an incomplete solution to the problem of practice. Proposes an evidence based solution to the problem of practice. Proposes an evidence based solution to the problem of practice, incorporating strong support from scholarly sources. Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards. 10% Does not convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and writing scholarly standards. Conveys purpose, in an appropriate tone or style. Clear, effective communication is inhibited by insufficient supporting evidence and/or minimal adherence to applicable writing standards. Conveys purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards. Conveys clear purpose, in a tone and style well-suited to the intended audience. Supports assertions, arguments, and conclusions with relevant, credible, and convincing evidence. Exhibits strict and nearly flawless adherence to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards. Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing. 10% Does not apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing. Applies APA style and formatting to scholarly writing ...

1. Developing Research-Based
Solution
s to Problems of Practice Scoring Guide
CRITERIA
NON-PERFORMANCE
BASIC
PROFICIENT
DISTINGUISHED
Define a problem of practice in an organization.
20%
Does not define a problem of practice in an organization.
Provides a somewhat unclear or inaccurate problem of practice
in an organization.
Defines a problem of practice in an organization.
Defines a problem of practice in an organization concisely and
incorporates strong support from scholarly sources.
Analyze key findings from two original, peer reviewed research
reports from within the last 5 years.
20%
Does not analyze key findings from two original, peer reviewed
research reports from within the last 5 years.

2. Provides somewhat unclear or inaccurate analysis of findings
from two original, peer reviewed research reports from within
the last 5 years.
Analyzes key findings from two original, peer reviewed
research reports from within the last 5 years.
Analyzes key findings from two original, peer reviewed
research reports from within the last 5 years, incorporating
strong support from scholarly sources.
Evaluate key findings from the research reports.
20%
Does not evaluate key findings from the research reports
Provides a somewhat unclear or inaccurate evaluation of key
findings from the research reports.
Evaluates key findings from the research reports.
Evaluates key findings from the research reports, incorporating
strong support from scholarly sources.
Propose an evidence based solution to the problem of practice.
20%
Does not propose an evidence based solution to the problem of
practice.
Provides an incomplete solution to the problem of practice.
Proposes an evidence based solution to the problem of practice.
Proposes an evidence based solution to the problem of practice ,
incorporating strong support from scholarly sources.
Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating

3. supporting evidence and adhering to organizational,
professional, and scholarly writing standards.
10%
Does not convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style,
incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to
organizational, professional, and writing scholarly standards.
Conveys purpose, in an appropriate tone or style. Clear,
effective communication is inhibited by insufficient supporti ng
evidence and/or minimal adherence to applicable writing
standards.
Conveys purpose, in an appropriate tone and style,
incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to
organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.
Conveys clear purpose, in a tone and style well-suited to the
intended audience. Supports assertions, arguments, and
conclusions with relevant, credible, and convincing evidence.
Exhibits strict and nearly flawless adherence to organizational,
professional, and scholarly writing standards.
Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
10%
Does not apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
Applies APA style and formatting to scholarly writing
incorrectly and/or inconsistently, detracting noticeably from
good scholarship.
Applies APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.

4. Applies APA style and formatting to scholarly writing. Exhibits
strict and nearly flawless adherence to stylistic conventions,
document structure, and source attributions.
Key Considerations for Writing Your White Paper
Identify Key Decision Makers
THIS WILL BE: PRIINCIPAL, GEORGINA TAIT – use this
name
A White Paper Is Not the Place for Traditional Academic
Writing
In a white paper, you need to hold the reader’s attention, so be
concise. Being concise literally means that you use as few
words as possible while still writing properly. Sentence
fragments are not acceptable, but using charts and graphs to
convey information is not only acceptable but is preferred. For
example, instead of developing a paragraph that lists data on
graduation and related promotion of employees participating in
higher education, put the data in a simple graph. Most software
packages have table- and graph-making capabilities, so work
with those. Remember, though, that you must have a brief text
explanation of each table or graph you use.
Being concise also means that you don't clutter up your
narrative. Inserting references after each assertion you make—
though the norm in what you write for any doctoral

5. assignment—is counterproductive in a white paper. In cases
where you need a citation (and you do, because experts always
cite sources), an endnote is the best choice. To do this, insert a
raised (superscript) number that corresponds to a like-numbered
reference at the end of the document. Your readers, depending
on their levels of understanding, are not concerned with the
nuances of Brookfield 1980 versus Brookfield 2010, or Senge’s
first edition versus fifth edition, so cite the most recent source
only and move on.
White Paper Examples
Below are links to two examples of white papers developed for
educational systems (from Week 2). You can find many others
online. Keep in mind that these examples are much longer than
your final project needs to be. Depending on the number and
sizes of your tables and graphs, a reasonable length for your
assignment is 20–30 pages.
· Educational Excellence Everywhere.
· Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education.
White Paper Elements
Following are the elements of the white paper that you must
include for your course project:
1. A snappy, attention-getting title that is unambiguous. The
linked examples below demonstrate this well. There is no
question what the issue is, but each is more memorable than a
traditional journal article’s title (for example, in the week's

6. readings: “Executive Coaching in an Era of Complexity. Study
1. Does Executive Coaching Work and If so How?: A Realist
Evaluation”).
2. A table of contents that clearly and concisely lays out the
paper. Each linked example has an excellent table of contents.
As with the paper title, each heading is unambiguous and
attention-getting.
3. An abstract or executive summary. Unlike the abstracts that
you find at the beginning of published articles or book chapters,
a white paper abstract needs to clearly address each key element
in your proposed plan, but do so in approximately one page.
Write concisely.
4. An introduction that defines the issue or concern you are
addressing and makes an immediate connection to the decision
makers. A clear understanding of who the decision makers are
and their backgrounds is essential. Do you need to convince the
chief financial officer (CFO)? Then stress that you have
quantifiable evidence. Perhaps you need to convince the chief
information officer (CIO); then accurate, clear data will help
you. Know what each wants to see and be certain you address
that in the introduction. Use professional literature sparingly—
use the most critical sources only and explain why each source
is important for them to know (for example, anything by
Knowles).
5. Your proposal for a solution—in this case, implementing

7. processes that support a learning organization, emphasizing
adult learning theory and practice—and an explicit presentation
of the benefits of your solution. Depending on the current state
of your organization, you might need to promote change at
multiple levels. Regardless of the number of changes, be
concise and use simple graphics whenever possible—a great
option is a flow chart clearly showing the new process versus
the old. Another is a graph showing how existing funds can
cover the changes. People usually prefer visuals to text; make
visuals that convey the essential elements of your proposal, and
use color and legible fonts. If your chart looks like a paragraph,
it’s less likely to be read. Again, use professional literature only
when it is critically important.
6. A directive action plan. What do you want your key people to
do? What do you need from them? When do you need it? Make
them part of the team and describe what the team needs to do to
make a difference.
Order of Assignments
· In Week 7 (this week), you will develop Sections 4 and 5.
WHITE PAPER: ISSUE AND SOLUTION
For this assignment, you are to draft Sections 4 and 5 of your
white paper, addressing the need to develop a learning
organization culture at your organization, emphasizing adult
learning praxis. Be certain to check the grading rubric to see
how much detail you must include with the draft. This is the

8. heart of your white paper. In addition, identify a designated
reader at the same knowledge level as the decision makers
you're addressing, and ask them to read what you've written to
see whether you are as clear as you need to be.
THIS IS THE ISSUE: USE THIS TO WRITE ON
To: Georgina Smith, Principal
From: COURSE STUDENT
Date:
Subject: Implementation of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Training Program for Staff and Stakeholders
The site level administration should consider the
implementation of a diversity, equity and inclusion awareness
program for the staff and stakeholders to be able to effectively
create real-world impact for society’s most pressing challenges
by using dialogue and engagement to co-create solutions,
exchange knowledge, support community-engaged learning, and
to build the capacity of others in the knowledge and practice of
dialogue.
Definition of the Issue
A clear understanding of who the decision makers are and their
backgrounds is essential. Do you need to convince the CFO?
Then stress that you have quantifiable evidence. Perhaps you
also need to convince the CIO. Then accurate, clear data will
help you. Know what each wants to see and be certain you

9. address that in the introduction. You should use professional
literature sparingly—use the most critical sources only and
explain why each source is important for them to know (for
example, anything by Knowles). Complete the following:
· Draft an introduction that defines your issue or concern about
the current state of your organization that will make an
immediate connection to the decision makers.
. In a brief footnote to your course instructor, identify who your
decision makers are and how you are attempting in your paper
to draw their interest into the issue.
· Appraise the advantage each characteristic of a learning
organization would provide your specific company or institution
in this situation, using graphics to support text as appropriate.
· Examine strategies that can enhance adult education praxis in
learning organizations, using graphics to support text as
appropriate.
Proposed