Capstone project
The capstone project is completed and developed as a scholarly paper. This is a final project designed to apply skills learned in the program. Students will build on previously completed work in the required sections. Include a clear, problem statement. Establish synthesis of literature and evidence-based practice in all content sections. Apply concepts of cultural competency and cultural literacy within the background section and Purpose or Aims of the Study section. Integrate thorough discussion of effective collaboration of the advanced nursing role through leadership, collaboration and improving outcomes in the proposed interventions section. Apply ethical reasoning and integrate advocacy and decision making within the methods/design/sampling section. Throughout the paper, develop critical, relevant, and consistent connections between evidence and the thesis.
The capstone project includes the following sections:
1. Title page
2. Abstract – Should Include:
Aim
Methods
Expected Results
Anticipated Conclusion
Potential Implications to Practice
3. Background & Significance
4. Literature Review
5. Supporting Evidence – Discuss how you intend to implement your evidence-based findings. What are your anticipated challenges? How do you intend to overcome some of those challenges?
6. Role and Engagement of stakeholders (2-3page) – Topics to include:
Roles of stakeholders
Identify your stakeholders – are they supportive to your project?
List of stakeholders who will be interested in the results of your project
Promoting stakeholder participation
Possible concerns/barriers from stakeholders
Strategies that you will use to gain support and assistance from your stakeholders
7. Purpose or Aims of the Study – Discuss the individual and/or community needs as it relates to the reason for your capstone research inquiry. Why do you believe your research inquiry/findings will address the identified needs that prompted your inquiry?
8. Theoretical Model or Framework (2-3 pages) – Select the specific theoretical framework that you will use with your project (education, leadership or FNP). Describe how the theory that you chose aligns with your capstone project. Include the following information: Describe the key features of the selected theoretical framework/model. What are its major components?
Identify specific research approaches appropriate for use with the theoretical model or framework and how it fits with your intended project.
Does the model lend itself to quantitative or qualitative methods or both?
What kind of quantitative/qualitative methods would be most appropriate? (Focus groups, interviews, pre/post-tests, record review, survey, etc.)
Describe how the theoretical framework might be used to evaluate the program/project and critique how well the model fits the program or project.
What aspects of the model works well and what aspects do not? Why?
9. Methods/Design/Sampling (2-3 pages) – Use the evidence from the peer reviewed articles that you have critically appraised and synthesized. Follow APA format and cite references. Include the following:
Describe the evaluative criteria (indicators or variables) to be addressed in answering each evaluation question.
Describe the research approaches to be used to answer each question and why they are appropriate to the evaluation questions posed.
Describe in specific detail how data will be collected related to each of your evaluative criteria/indicators. Discuss exactly how the data be collected, when, and by whom. Describe any data collection tools in terms of their development and appropriateness in answering the evaluation questions. Provide information on validity and reliability of tools, if available. Explain why the data collection methods are appropriate to the research approach, type of data, and purpose of the evaluation. Describe how you will analyze the data, including specific statistical tests to be used. Include dummy data tables if applicable to show how you will display your findings.
10. Proposed Interventions (2-3 pages)- proposed interventions for your problem/issue supported by evidence collected by conducting a literature search and review. Integrate the information into your project. Should include:
The extent of evidence-based data for proposed interventions.
Comprehensive description of factors that might influence the use of proposed interventions.
Identify the barriers related to the proposed interventions.
Detailed list of resources that will be needed.
Detailed steps, or sequence of events, or specific implementation activities that will be required to implement the intervention.
Monitoring, tracking and ongoing review.
Performance of tasks required for implementation. Staff responsible in the implementation of the interventions and their qualifications.
Strategies that facilitate the implementation of the proposed intervention.
Timeline.
11. Expected Results/Outcomes
12. Anticipated Conclusion
13. Possible Limitations
14. Potential Implications to Practice
15. References
16. Poster
17. Appendices
