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Capstone Project Proposal: What It Is And How to Write One
by Antony W
January 2, 2023
What would be your reaction if you spent months carrying out a school project, only for it to be thrown out on grounds of being irrelevant, inadmissible, or downright outrageous? Not very happy, I would say. To avoid such scenarios and censor the type of projects being carried out, schools require that every student taking this kind of an assignment to submit a capstone project proposal first.
Every capstone project begins with a project proposal. It is submitted to your instructor or school panel that reviews and either approves or rejects it. Thus, you can also think of a proposal as a plan or project blueprint.
Given that the capstone project proposal is integral to your success in the whole thing, we at Help for Assessment are here to show you how to do it properly.
Our expertise in all forms of academic writing includes a specialty in capstone projects, which is why we’re the perfect people to help you. We will also do your capstone project proposal for you at very affordable prices. Visit our homepage to learn more about us and what we can do for you.
Back to the capstone project proposal guide. This article will cover all the main aspects of how to write it including:
- What is a capstone project proposal
- Qualities of a good capstone project proposal
- How to write a capstone project proposal
- Format of a capstone project proposal
What is a Capstone Project Proposal?
A capstone project proposal is a brief document that outlines what your capstone project is about, the steps you intend to follow while doing it, the resources you will need, and an outline of the project itself. It is more or less your blueprint for the entire project.
The purpose of a capstone project proposal is to help your instructor understand what your project is about. In the case where you are seeking assistance from the school such as funding or the use of school facilities, the proposal helps to convince them of why those resources should be allocated to you.
The proposal is also a big help to you as a student. Before you commit a lot of time and resources to the project, it forces you to take a look ahead at where you're going, what you want to achieve, and the investment you will need to put in to do that.
Capstone projects vary widely from discipline to discipline, but the proposal follows a standard format. Your instructor might provide you with a template and accompanying instructions, or they may not.
In any case, there are certain qualities you need to aim for if your proposal is to be successfully approved.
Qualities of a Good Capstone Project Proposal
The length of a good capstone project proposal should be between 1 and 4 pages.
Anything longer is discouraged unless your instructor says otherwise. Thus, refine it until it is concise, clear, and direct.
2. Structured
The information flow should be clear and logical. It should be a document that a person can scan through in minutes and get what you’re talking about.
Thus, present it in an easy to understand manner.
3. Straightforward
The person reviewing your proposal wants answers to questions such as:
What is your project about? How will you do it? What resources will you need, and how will you get them? Who will be involved?
Provide these answers simply and directly in your proposal and you stand a much better chance of impressing them. The content of the proposal should all aim toward this one goal.
4. Compelling
The language you use should be convincing. Be confident about what you want to do, be enthusiastic, and share your enthusiasm.
Prove why you think the project will work and how relevant it is in your field.
5. Detailed
Even though the proposal should be brief, include as much detail as is needed to support your points.
Format of a Capstone Project Proposal
This will be the same title you will use in the capstone project write-up, so take your time to craft a brief, direct, all-inclusive title for the proposal.
One way to come up with a good title is to write down the research problem as a question then craft your title in response to that question.
You should also try to make the title as intriguing as possible to get your readers interested in what you have to say.
In 150-200 words, describe what the project is about. Give the rationale for the project, i.e, why you think it is important and should be carried out.
Also, describe your methodology, analysis, and expected findings.
Think of the rationale as to the social implications of the project you are about to undertake.
How will it help the organization you work for or society at large? Describe the original contributions your project will have to the target group.
Research Problem
This is the problem statement of the project proposal. Give your thesis statement in one sentence, keeping in mind that it is the same statement you will use in the actual project write-up.
In the case of a project deliverable or creative project, describe the product you will develop, and the rationale behind it.
Describe what format your deliverable will be, e.g. a video, website, software, new curriculum, health or education program, policy paper, etc.
You should write a descriptive literature review of all the sources you have used and cited for your project proposal including books, online sources, and papers.
You can use these same sources in the project itself or choose to go for another set.
Methodology/Project Design
Explain how you intend to do what you want to do. Start with the method of inquiry which can include textual research, scientific experimentation, statistical data collection, qualitative study, or any other method.
Describe also, in detail, how this data will be gathered, processed, analyzed, and what resources or manpower will be needed to do this.
At the same time, explain the hypotheses and theoretical academic approaches in use which form the backbone of your project.
Detail the steps of your project and state when you expect to do what. This can usually be given in the form of a table with specific dates.
Also, state when you will be meeting with your supervisor/mentor and giving progress updates.
Description of the Final Product/Expected Results
For a research project, explain what results you expect based on existing data about the same.
For creative projects, describe what the final product will be, how you expect it to look like, and how it will work. How will it help/affect the target group? How will you evaluate its efficacy and success?
Such a project will also need specific documentation, usually called a rationale report or just a report. Describe such kind of documentation format.
Resources Needed Including Expected Budget
This is a crucial part. Give a detailed record of all the resources you expect or need to use in the course of your project.
If you need funding, give a breakdown of how the money will be used and how much in total is needed.
State how you expect it to be funded, either through school funding or external sponsorship.
In the same way, state what school resources you need. Laboratory access, data access, support by school personnel, computers, or machines belonging to the school or an outside entity, and everything in between.
Reference list
This is a list of all the citations and sources used while writing the project proposal.
Tips on How To Write a Capstone Project Proposal
- The capstone project isn't meant to be a mere outline. Make it captivating by highlighting its real-world relevance and how it will benefit the target group. Use data where possible as proof.
- Say something about your motivation for choosing to carry out that particular project. Include some information about your background experience and why it qualifies you to carry it out. That way, your audience can connect with you and the project on a deeper level.
- Be very careful about the resources you wish to use. Restrict yourself to primary and secondary sources with a high academic credibility level. Doing so gives your project more merit.
- Follow the instructions supplied by your instructor faithfully. In many cases, you will be given a template or detailed guide about how you should format the proposal.
- Spend quality time on the title, hypotheses, and research problem. That way, your project will gain focus and have a clear scope.
- Quote sparing. Unless you have good reason to choose a quoted phrase rather than a paraphrase, stick to your own words but make sure you cite sources used.
- Review previous capstone projects and proposals done by students in your school to find out what is expected of you and get an idea on how to format your own.
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About the author
Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.
Recommended Capstone Project Proposal Format
This proposal format should work for almost any piece of original research, scholarship, or creative work. Depending on the needs of the project and the conventions of the discipline, faculty sponsors might request different information or additional details to confirm the project quality. Although there is no minimum length requirement for this proposal, it would be difficult to address the requirements in less than two single-spaced pages. Proposals that are more fully developed (e.g., literature review/methods) may also be used as the first draft of final papers to be submitted later!
Cover page with:
- Student Name
Project Summary A brief summary of the overall goal of the project and the final outcomes to be developed from the work.
Literature Review or Annotated Work to Support the Project Although the capstone is an original project it is certainly based on, or influenced by previous research, scholarship, or creative work in the field. To document the foundation for this work, proposals should include a minimum of five references that establish the significance and meaning of the proposed project.
Methods of Project Although the nature of the work will vary widely depending on the project to be completed, students must first provide a detailed description of the steps to be taken to complete the project. This is an opportunity for the student and advisor to ensure that the steps in the process from inception to completion are clearly identified in advance. For research projects, this will be the procedures and nature of the analysis. For an original creative activity, this might be the steps in the creative process to develop the final product.
Timeline From the initial development of the project (which could have begun even before the proposal) to the final sharing of the end products, the timeline should spell out target deadlines for pieces of the process to ensure timely completion.
Final Product Regardless of the format of the work, all students are expected to submit a final written report as part of their end product. The written report might be a major final paper itself but for other students, (e.g., creative work) the report might be more like an artist statement or reflection on the work completed. Although there is not formal page limit, almost all capstone papers will be 10+ pages in length but this is dependant on the discipline and the proposal (e.g., mathematical proof, brief research report with poster presentation for conference, 100 pages of a novel).
Dissemination All capstone work should be developed with a plan for dissemination - proposals should specify where this work can be shared. Students can share on campus at URCAS, RCW, or structured exhibitions, but everyone is encouraged to design their work to also share off campus in professional settings, at research conferences, or other public exhibitions.
References A reference list of work cited in the proposal must be included in whatever format is appropriate to the discipline.
Capstone Approval HNRS capstone credits cannot be added to the student schedule until the student has submitted the proposal to the Honors College Office with verification of support from the advisor (signature on the cover page next to name) or email from the advisor.
Criteria for Evaluation Although the Dean of Honors will record the final grade for the capstone project, the faculty advisor is the one to determine the grade. Students should clarify with their advisor how their final grade will be assigned!
Budget Although limited financial support for projects may be available from the Honors Office or other University sources, students are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate resources to complete their project before committing to the work. Please discuss the budget requirements with your advisor in advance!
Course Substitution It is possible to substitute a similar capstone project required in a major outside of Honors, but students that wish to petition for this must meet the same standards of the Honors Capstone. Petitions must be made with a proposal the semester in advance of the work. Please get approval from your advisor and Dean Camarena in advance to ensure this can be approved.
Capstone Project Form
Honors College
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(575) 646-2542
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Sample Capstone Project Proposal
Getting started .
Open annually between August through November, the HCDE online capstone proposal form is where you submit a project proposal. CAP members may submit more than one project idea, but please think about how many teams you will be able to support in total. The project description should be a straightforward, one-paragraph summary of the design brief or project challenge.
Before submitting your project, read the Capstone project guidelines .
Submit a Capstone Proposal
Example Project Proposals
- Sponsor: ABC User Experience Consultants
- Title: Designing Mobile Technologies for Environmental Sustainability
- Contact(s): Jane Doe, [email protected]
- Description: Design an object, interface, system, or service intended to support the idea of utilizing or consuming local resources rather than global resources, in a sustainable and environmentally efficient manner. Use methods of ethnography and contextual research to understand the problem space, and design a mobile phone application that supports, assists, enhances or otherwise benefits people interested in sustainability.
- Target User Group: Seattle residents
Example Usability-Focused Project
- Sponsor: Usability R’ Us
- Title: Evaluate and Redesign Awesome Airlines Website
- Contact(s): Bob Smith, [email protected]
- Description: Conduct an in-depth usability test of the current Awesome Airlines corporate website. Prepare a usability test plan, recruit 5-10 clients, and conduct the evaluation. Generate a list of recommended changes, and then provide design mock-ups for how those changes might be implemented into the existing website design to make it more usable.
- Target User Group: Awesome Airlines customers
Example User Research-Focused Project
- Sponsor: The User Research People
- Title: Determine Design Requirements for Home Sensing Project
- Contact(s): Alison Miller, [email protected]
- Description: The User Research People company is conducting user research for a client who is interested in building sensors for people to install in their home that will monitor appliance usage, record maintenance and repairs, and report any safety issues. Your task will be to conduct user research with homeowners to identify the design requirements and concerns with using such technology in their home and the provide mock-ups and sketches for ideas for different sensing solutions.
- Target User Group: Homeowners
- The Capstone Proposal
Students are encouraged to work with the CALIS Chair or their advisor to craft a proposal before registering for the LIS 699 or other course where they will write a capstone paper. The following can help serve as a guidelines for a capstone paper, although the exact requirements are a negotiation between the student and advisor.
- To crystallize the researcher’s ideas into a physical task.
- To show the approving body that the research is possible and worthwhile.
- To establish an informal contract that provides a goal for the researcher.
The proposal also ensures that time is not wasted in exploring sterile problems, and should form the basis for a significant portion of the final research paper.
The proposal should follow, rather than precede, wide reading in the area of interest and selection of a problem. During these earlier stages students should maintain close contact with their advisor. Proposal Format Proposals begin with a title page, with the title of the project, date, student’s name, CALIS, University of Hawaii Library and Information Science Program. It should consist of four main parts plus any appendices. To adequately cover the necessary topics, proposals should be no less than 10 pages long.
Section I should be an introduction that includes a general description of the context of the problem, a statement of the problem to be studied, necessary definitions, as well as major (and minor) research questions and an informal statement of the major/minor hypotheses. The significance of the problem should be stated, and the feasibility of the investigation established.
Section II is a formally cited review of the literature pertaining to the problem to be studied. It would usually include historical background, theory relevant to the research, and a review of current literature on the topic. As a guide to style of presentation, the student should use one of the accepted manuals of style, such as the University of Chicago Manual of Style, Modern Language Association Style Manual or the American Psychological Association Publication Manual.
Section III outlines the methodology, including a formal statement of the hypotheses to be tested, a description of the research design, and a clear statement of the population to be studied and its environment. Techniques and procedures should be given if sampling is to be conducted, as well as a statement of the reasons for selecting these techniques. The methods used to design the test(s), questionnaire(s), or other instruments should be described, with the materials attached in an appendix. Validity and reliability concerns should be discussed both for the instrument(s) and the research as a whole.
If a pilot study is to be conducted, it should be described in this section, with a statement of anticipated tests and data analysis procedures. Include a timetable and budget, and, if humans are to be used as subjects, proof that their protection is ensured. Allow sufficient time before you begin the project for the UH Committee on Human Studies to review the procedures and certify that participants’ privacy and safety will be protected.
The final section is a bibliography of references including, but not limited to, all works cited in the earlier sections.
I. Introduction
A. General description of area of concern B. Problem to be studied C. Definitions D. Major research question E. Minor research questions F. Significance of problem and justification G. Hypothesis
II. Review of the literature
A. Historical outline B. Theory relevant to the research C. Current literature
III. Methodology
A. Restatement of the hypotheses in formal terms B. Research design C. Population to be studied D. Environment of the population E. Sampling technique and procedure F. Design of instrument G. Validity and reliability concerns H. Pilot study proposalI. Procedures of analysis J. Protection of research subjects K. Timetable and budget
IV. References
V. Appendices
- Advanced Certificate Overview
- Application Procedures
- Research Methods
- The Capstone Paper
- Plagiarism checker Do The Check
- Academic editing Ask For Help
- Samples database View Samples Base
How To Write A Capstone Project Outline: Steps and Example
18 Dec 2021
Quick Navigation
❓Definition
📑Types of Capstone Projects
✍️Choosing a Topic
📃Capstone Project Outline
✒️Outline Example
📌Mistakes to Avoid
Working on a capstone project requires a lot of effort. To write this assignment successfully, the first stage of the process is to develop an outline for this type of paper. With the capstone project outline, students can write the right structure for their paper. Are you unaware of how to write it or just need a clear example or a capstone project template with proper formats? Or do you want to learn what to include in the outline? You've come to the right place. This piece will teach you everything you need to know about these outlines.
What Is Capstone Project?
It is a vital part of most courses in universities. You may have heard of it from the older students. The form of it can vary, but the main ideas are always similar. Generally, it is research conducted by a defined group of students to find and come up with a solution for some actual issues that happened in the world. It is crucial to take this seriously, as such a unique chance to have all the tools and supervision of the best professors on the way to finding a proposal for the issue is rare. Of course, it is time-consuming and stressful, but the reward part after the proposal is sent is priceless.
This research is always the last task of the course, so the student has the opportunity to gather all the knowledge during the course and apply it to the capstone project writing. The main aim is to prepare future specialists for finding practical solutions for the real world.
In simple terms, what is the capstone project ? This is a type of paper used to showcase the level of the skills you have developed since the beginning of the study. This type is also referred to as a capstone project. It's a significant task that must be carried out with a high level of skill and proficiency. But what is its importance? Completing this paper is an essential part of your education program because it shows that you are a professional.
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Types of Capstone Projects
As mentioned before, they can be different as well as requirements. There are ones for junior students and senior students, and postgraduate students. Depending on the degree, there are such types of research:
- Developing the concept of a product, tool, or service
- In-depth projects
- Expositions
- Experiments
As they vary, they can be conducted individually or in a group. The main thing is that the instructor has to review the final capstone project proposal at the finishing stage.
Choosing a Topic
The best advice is to pick an area you are genuinely interested in. Otherwise, there is no point in research. The process is long, and the demands are high. There is some general advice on how to choose the theme for the research project format.
- Avoid broad subjects that objectively cannot be managed in a given time. If your theme appears too wide, you will have hardship covering all the necessary issues.
- Moreover, beware of too narrow subjects, as you may have difficulty finding relevant published articles and inspirations from other research made earlier.
- Choose themes that are suitable to your classroom background or career goals.
- Do primary research before deciding, as it is the only way to understand how the problem was covered and whether there are any solutions.
- Do not pick only one theme. Have at least a few paper project ideas to be flexible when obstacles appear.
- Be sure that the area of research meets the guidelines of the course. It is better to ask beforehand than change everything at the last minute.
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How to create a capstone project outline.
When you begin working on this format, it's important to keep in mind that the nature and formats of the written paper may vary depending on the faculty, the topic, and the goals for the writing papers. You can buy it online or find a written template to save some time, especially since a lot of effort is required. Starting from the contents, you need to create a capstone paper outline to help you structure your content according to your instructor's rules.
Without any doubt, a capstone study will simplify everything for you. Considering the importance of it, you must learn how to write it or use outline templates. So, how do you go about it? Take note of the following steps.
- Research how to write it, including developing the structure and the types of outlines used for tasks like this. If you have previous experience creating designs and know what would best suit this project, you may skip this step.
- Decide on a number format to use in the study. If you are given a specific form, make sure you follow it. But if the instructor specifies no format, choose whatever works best for you. Furthermore, make sure that the design you have picked is suitable for readers.
- Next, select the preferable model. You can research how to create project outline templates online.
- Set up the structure for the headings and subheadings in the sample capstone project outline template. The number of titles and subheadings will depend on the nature of your paper.
- Split the headings and subheadings further. However, remember that you can make changes later on.
- Identify the content you intend to put into each section and fill it with texts, figures, and other illustrations. Don't forget to use citation styles and appropriate formatting. Your instructor may choose to provide the instructions for your project using different formats.
- When you are done, read it once more and try to make sure that each fragment is meaningful. You may also decide to rewrite incomplete pieces and find any logical mistakes.
- Finally, review for grammatical errors, fix them and check for plagiarism.
If you intend to take an easy route to all the steps listed above, you may get an example of the study summary and follow it. According to experts, the best approach to writing your culmination study is by starting with a list of papers you wrote, a list of studies you have undertaken, and an article you have published or assisted in.
For most universities, you will be required to write the title and intro page. If the case warrants it, you may need to rewrite these pages a few times. The title must be catchy, and the intro urges readers to go deeper into the text. The introduction should shift from specific to general terms. It should also focus on the research, topic, and possible methodology adopted in the paper. Before starting, check whether the presentation format will be needed. You could gather information during the research project and add points from existing materials step by step. Remember, that it is an important part and you better be prepared.
If you require a detailed plan to complete your outline, write out all the elements on the subject. When designing, keep in mind that you may meet or write some sections before others. However, the most significant thing is finishing the entire paper and taking specific steps like presentation preparation to make it possible. When all the outline sections have been properly written, it's time to start your project. You may ask someone to review your progress before proceeding with the entire paper.
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Example Of A Capstone Project Outline
It's almost impossible to come up with an example or templates that would be useful for every student in every school. There are just too many elements to take note of simultaneously. However, we can do our best by including some of the most common factors that you would find in any paper.
When compiling an outline, you can include the following chapters:
- A brief overview. Your resume should not be more than a few sentences, and it serves as the intro of the papers.
- Research that was useful in creating the paper. Here, you can mention the historical background of the subject in question. You may also add a table or list to illustrate your paper further.
- The executive summary of your study. The executive summary of your research shows the study's goal, how it's done, and everything you need to accomplish the capstone project.
- Essential details and information from your instructor.
- Description of the task. You should give a detailed breakdown of your paper and the steps you took to accomplish it.
- The summary or presentation.
These are examples of any culmination study contents. Still, the system can vary depending on the topic in question. Make sure that you carry out research and write down inquiries from your instructor to find out the outline that will be most useful for your project.
Mistakes to Avoid in a Capstone Project Outline
Coming up with an executive summary for this type of paper is a lot of work. As a result, people tend to make simple mistakes that greatly affect the quality of their work. However, many of these mistakes are avoidable, especially if you had examined the materials given like outline templates or academic project ideas existing on the subject. Apply academic thinking, find the information on the writing process as well as format requirements, pay attention to elements required for an assignment, check the research problem and the research question properly.
If you intend to make a summary, you need to look out for the following mistakes:
Avoid topics that require a lot of calculation. You may have difficulties coming up with the best type. You may find it difficult to make a reasonable strategy. When presenting these cases, the additional emphasis on numbers will bore listeners and prevent them from keeping up with what you say.
Beware of reuse, repetitions, and self-plagiarism. This means that you should note what you have included previously. Adding too many related headings may lead to self-plagiarism later in the project.
Never underestimate the meaning of capstone projects. It's common for many students to play down the importance of this type of project. As a result, they end up handling everything haphazardly. This type of action would greatly influence the quality of the final writing.
When writing, avoid using long sentences. Understandably, you may be intent on clearly stating your points most of the time. Nevertheless, long sentences will only make it tougher. Do your best to go straight to the end. This type of project doesn't require a lot of talks, discussion, or emphasis. The only things you need to display are your academic skills and proper sentences.
When you are done, take your time to proofread and edit the final result. Make sure that you never skip this stage. Proofreading will reveal any hidden mistakes that may ruin the overall quality.
Create a summary of your text
Many students find it difficult to write their project because it requires a big one. Some may even give up initially because they doubt their abilities. But this shouldn't be the case. If you can't handle any aspect of your project yourself, it may be worth hiring capstone writing services to help out. They will approach the creation of your outline from a professional angle.
The benefit of hiring this service provider is the level of success they guarantee. Professional hands will handle your project. They can prepare a top-class project for you with all the essential details within the shortest time possible.
This type of project is one of the introductory assignments college students will do before finishing their education. Considering the importance of a capstone study, the design must be created smoothly. The system can be confusing because there are different types of capstone studies. However, with the right help and understandable requirements for this kind of paper, it's possible to achieve something reasonable.
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How to Write a Capstone Project With Ease
How to Write a Capstone Project: Definition
A capstone project is an academic paper that serves as a summary of a student’s experience. This type of paper is written in the last year of middle or high school or as a part of a college or university course. It can be assigned for nursing, engineering, IT, business, and other courses.
How to Do a Capstone Project: What’s So Special About It?
A capstone project is another way to sum up skills and competencies the student has gained during the course. This kind of paper may be presented in various forms: case studies, research papers, surveys, outcome-based evaluation, focus groups, and more. The type and complexity will depend on the tutor’s requirements and course. The student needs to pick one of capstone project ideas related to the course or specialization and write a paper. Typically, a capstone project will be connected with the future specialization and require strong skills in teamwork, public speaking, and critical and analytical thinking.
How long is a capstone project? This will depend on the tutor’s requirements and usually is approximately forty pages long or more. You will be given plenty of time to write it.
Along with the writing process, students are frequently required to make a presentation (also known as a defense) of their project. The aim of such presentation is to improve public speaking skills and help students clearly express their thoughts. Along with a presentation, you will need to create a portfolio of your project that will accompany your presentation with additional materials and help the listener understand how you have come to your conclusions.
How to Write a Capstone Research Paper: Step by Step
1. Think of the topic. It is advisable to think about the topic from the very beginning of the program. Take notes and write down the ideas that come up during the classes. Think about the topics that interested you the most and seem manageable. Talk with your classmates or faculty members who have faced the topic before.
Focus on topics connected with your own experience and life. Think about situations where your knowledge from the course can be applied. Your capstone project should highlight the knowledge and skills you obtained during the course and how you can apply this in a prospective workplace. For example, it may be a business plan including a market investigation in a particular area, or the development of a new product or program aimed at a certain need.
2. Create a capstone project proposal. Before you start writing your paper, you will need to submit a proposal to your tutor. Usually it is a paper of 200 words or more. How to write a capstone proposal? Include the following points in your proposal:
- Tell about the topic you want to choose and why you want to write about this particular topic.
- Write about your experience or background in the particular topic.
- Highlight the scope of information available and sources.
- Tell about the research that you plan to do in your project and what methods you plan to use: analyze a certain process, pick certain products, etc.
- List the required workplace and human subject approvals.
- Set the aims that you wish to achieve with this project.
If you are required to write a broader proposal, you will need to develop a literature review and methodology that you plan to use in your writing. Make sure that you have included everything that will assure the tutor that you are interested in the topic and he or she will accept your proposal.
3. Gather information. Identify the sources and search for information related to your topic. Look through textbooks from your course; you can find a list of recommended literature and use it as a basis for your project. Create a folder on your computer and save all references and helpful links in one single place. Structure information in various files, name them appropriately, and add tags to ease the navigation. Highlight the key articles related to your topic that you will be discussing in the literature review section. Group the articles by categories.
4. Come up with a structure. The structure of every capstone project may vary. A clear structure will help you logically divide your work and concentrate on each part. Here you can see the typical structure of a capstone project:
- Title page.
- Introduction.
- Literature review.
- Results and Discussion.
- Conclusion and Recommendations.
- References list.
5. Make a timetable. As a capstone is quite a voluminous paper, you will need to involve your time-planning skills. The best decision will be creating a calendar with tasks and deadlines. Correct the schedule over time, as one task you can complete faster, while the other one may take more time than you have planned. Use organizers in your phone or computer to keep track of your progress any time.
6. Get to the writing. The basis of your capstone project is the thesis statement. Come up with a strong thesis statement that is specific and narrow enough. If your thesis will be too broad, you won’t be able to cover all of the detail. You can write your project from any point you like; the only thing you need to remember is that the introduction is written last. You won’t be able to create a good introduction when you are not deep in the matter of the issue. Don’t forget to state the major problem (or issue) and list the limitations of the study.
In the literature review summarize your findings of the existing information on the topic. Make general conclusions and a brief analysis of each source that is valuable for your research. Keep being critical of the sources and note the gaps in the information. Add quotes to add value to your review, but don’t overuse it.
In the methods paragraph, analyze the process of your research. The reader should understand what you have done and how: collecting data, analysis, evaluation, etc. Justify the methods you chose and discuss the positive and negative sides of the chosen method.
In the results section, describe the data you received during the research. If you have statistics or other data, visualize it in tables and charts. Add descriptions and an interpretation of the data. In the conclusion, sum up your findings and make recommendations for further researches and applications. Find the connection of your results with the initial issue.
7. Proofread the text. Reread the first draft and make corrections. Firstly, look through all sections and make sure that they are complete and logically right. Cut sentences without meaning, and add important sentences so the text will be complete. When you will be done with the context, look through for incorrect grammar, typos, and other mistakes. Make sure that the tone of your work is totally academic. And at last, format the text in accordance with the requirements to make it look neat and well structured. Ask someone experienced in academic writing to look through your writing and ask for feedback.
8. Prepare for the defense. Most of the project should be defended before the project committee. The quality of your presentation will influence the evaluation of the whole project. Initially you will need to reveal the essence of your topic, discuss the project research, and tell about your findings. Along with your presentation, the committee usually asks questions connected with your research and findings. Usually, committee members are familiar with the text of your project, as they have already looked through your proposal and drafts, so keep in mind that your defense will look more like a discussion than a presentation itself.
Capstone Project Sample
Here you can read one of our capstone project examples for nursing. We have commented on this paper with essential notes that you need to consider while writing. The paper was written in APA style and can serve as a great example to follow, especially if you are writing a capstone project for the first time. Please, note that the capstone project sample may differ from your requirements; we are giving you only a general view on how a written capstone project looks. Also, you can buy essay online cheap and check out other capstone paper examples.
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Tips to Write a Capstone Paper
- Strictly follow the given instructions. If the tutor requires you to use a particular structure or to organize text using bullets – do it. All these recommendations are given to make your text readable.
- Make sure that you have applied the right structure. Capstone projects are usually voluminous and require a clear structure.
- Create a powerful thesis statement that will show you potential.
- Plan your time wisely. Create a time schedule for completing your paper.
- Pick reliable sources only. The quality of your work will depend on the sources you use.
- Pay attention to the layout. Follow the required style and format, as the presentation is vital.
- Stick to one single style of writing and tone. The paper should be written using an academic style of writing – avoid a narrative or personal style.
- Constantly contact your supervisor to make sure that you are going the right way.
Mistakes to Avoid in a Capstone Project
- Don’t pick the topic that requires tons of calculations or complex concepts. If you will need to make a presentation of your project, the listeners will get bored from the numbers.
- Avoid repetitions and self-plagiarism (copying parts of text from your previous researches).
- Don’t underestimate the meaning of a capstone project – it may be as important as a thesis or dissertation.
- Don’t use long sentences. Make your writing laconic and to the point. A capstone project doesn’t require narrative skills, only academic writing skills, and involves accurate sentences which present a certain idea.
- Don’t skip doing proper proofreading and editing. Even a single grammatical or punctuation error may spoil the impression from a good capstone project.
How to Choose Capstone Project Topics
Choosing a topic is crucial for your capstone project—it has to be interesting, engaging and at least be somehow connected with your interests or hobbies. If you are wondering why, just imagine you need to write 45 pages on a topic you feel deadly bored about. Is that convincing enough?
1) The difficulty with choosing a topic for your capstone project is that it actually can be related to two or even more disciplines, not only one. So take your time and think what has fascinated you during your studies the most. If you have some notes left from previous years, you can look them through (of course, if you have a habit of writing questions that come to your head during a lecture). This is still not a topic, but at least you will find the direction to move in.
2) Now it’s time to actually choose the topic . You have the field of studies – let’s lay, literature and language. What do you need to do here is have a quick look at what you have been studying the whole course and form a related topic. To make the task easier, ask your counselor to give you a list of topics or review the works written previously in your department. You can base your topic on those you’ve found or come up with a completely unique one, but remember that you need it to be confirmed by your project counselor.
3) Don’t be afraid of changes. In the process of the research, most students find that their topic doesn’t quite suit the scientific reality they encounter. For example, if your topic was “symbols in Celtic love poetry,” you initially find out that the Celts weren’t very fond of writing love poetry, and most of their poems were about battles, power and might. But don’t be afraid, as this doesn’t mean you have to conduct new research or something—simply adjust the topic. If you have found reasons why the Celts didn’t write about love, then your topic should include this important discovery. It will read like this “Main reasons for avoiding the love topic.”
Do you have a better idea on how to write a capstone project? Share your opinion in the comment section below. The best and most useful secrets will be added to the article.
We hope that our guide and tips have given you a basic understanding of how to write a capstone project. All of this information is general, as every capstone project depends on your department requirements and program. We wish you to write a capstone project with ease!
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Format of a Capstone Project Proposal · Title · Abstract · Research Problem · Literature Review · Methodology/Project Design · Timeline · Description
Recommended Capstone Project Proposal Format · Cover page with: · Project Summary A brief summary of the overall goal of the project and the final outcomes to be
Getting Started Open annually between August through November, the HCDE online capstone proposal form is where you submit a project proposal.
Capstone Proposal Template. All project proposals are to be submitted as a PDF file to Myles Maland, Capstone. Lead at [email protected]
The Capstone Proposal · To crystallize the researcher's ideas into a physical task. · To show the approving body that the research is possible and worthwhile. · To
The following are the formal parts of a research proposal: 1. YOUR NAME. 2. YOUR CAPSTONE OPTION (Generalist, U. Thesis, Teaching, or Public History).
Example Of A Capstone Project Outline · A brief overview. · Research that was useful in creating the paper. · The executive summary of your study.
Organizing your Master's Paper. Creating an Outline. Sections of the Master's Paper. Title Page. Abstract. Introduction. Purpose Statement.
A Capstone Project (or Thesis) Submitted to the. University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
How to Write a Capstone Project With Ease ; Write about your experience or background in the particular topic. · Set the aims that you wish to achieve with this