REVISION

theedukator2020

CAPSTONEOUTLINE.pdf

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Table of Contents

Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iv

Role of the Researcher .....................................................................................................................v

Permission to Conduct Research ................................................................................................... vi

Chapter One: Introduction ...............................................................................................................1

Chapter Two: Literature Review .....................................................................................................4

Chapter Three: Procedures ...............................................................................................................6

Chapter Four: Findings ....................................................................................................................9

Chapter Five: Recommendations ...................................................................................................12

References ......................................................................................................................................14

Appendix ........................................................................................................................................15

Checklist: Table of Contents

Table of Contents is presented in this order:

 Abstract

 Role of the Researcher

 Permission to Conduct Research

 Chapter One: Introduction

 Chapter Two: Literature Review

 Chapter Three: Procedures

 Chapter Four: Findings

 Chapter Five: Recommendations

 References

 Appendix

Abstract

Checklist: Abstract

Abstract is presented in this order:

 purpose of the study

 reworded problem statement without a citation

 rationale

 central research question

 three forms of data collection and corresponding data analysis

 recommendations (at the culmination of the research)

 keywords

The Abstract

 is approximately 250 words.

 does not include citations or quotes.

 is not indented.

 is written in accurate tense.

Role of the Researcher

Checklist: Role of the Researcher

 includes the researcher’s name.

 includes the researcher’s professional credentials.

 Includes the researcher’s experience (briefly).

 includes a clear description of the researcher’s relationship to the site.

 includes biases.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is approximately one-half page and does not exceed one page.

 is written in third person.

Permission to Conduct Research

Checklist: Permission to Conduct Research

 includes the name of the gatekeeper(s) and their position (principal, superintendent, etc.).

 includes a reference to the appendix where the written permission letter is located. For

example: (see Appendix A).

 does not include the actual approval letter or email within this section.

 is written in narrative paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

 is verifiable.

Ethical Considerations

Checklist: Ethical Considerations

 includes a description of ethical treatment of participants specific to the study.

 includes procedures for solicitation of participants.

 includes a brief description of the specific participants (teachers, administrators, etc.).

 includes data protection strategies (i.e., pseudonyms).

 includes data storage strategies.

 includes IRB permission, if applicable.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Chapter One: Introduction

Overview

Checklist: Overview

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 concludes with a concise introduction to the major headings of the section.

 only includes the purpose statement, problem statement, and introduction to the major

headings.

Organizational Profile

Checklist: Organizational Profile

 includes the educational site.

 includes whether the organization is public or private, if relevant.

 includes the geographic location.

 includes the school’s or organization’s mission statement.

 includes demographic information.

 includes a description of the faculty and/or staff, if relevant.

 includes a description of the leadership structure.

 includes a description of programs and services, if applicable.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Introduction to the Problem

Checklist: Introduction to the Problem

 begins with the problem statement that includes evidence of the problem (with a citation).

 includes supporting evidence with citations (statistics, facts).

 includes what was done in the past to solve the problem, if anything.

 includes what is currently being done to solve the problem, if anything.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Significance of the Research

Checklist: Significance of the Research

 begins with who may benefit from the research.

 describes how each stakeholder and/or organization may benefit from the research.

 includes citations to support assertions.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Purpose Statement

Checklist: Purpose Statement

 includes the problem or practice.

 includes the site.

 includes the geographical location.

The Purpose Statement section

 begins with the purpose statement.

 includes the three data collection approaches.

 includes participants, when applicable.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Central Research Question

Checklist: Central Research Question

 is derived from the problem and purpose statements.

 follows one of the two formats provided in the Central Research Question section of this

chapter.

Definitions

Checklist: Definitions

 include all potentially ambiguous terms relevant to the study.

 include scholarly literature for definitions and not dictionary definitions.

 include citations.

 are presented in alphabetical order.

 terms are presented in bold font followed by a colon

 is presented as a bullet point list

Summary

Checklist: Summary

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 continues with a reminder to the major headings of this chapter.

 only includes the purpose statement, problem statement, and reminder of the major

headings.

Chapter Two: Literature Review

Overview

Checklist: Overview

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 concludes with a concise introduction to the major headings of the section.

 only includes the purpose statement, problem statement, and introduction to the major

headings.

Narrative Review

Checklist: Narrative Review

 is presented as a synthesis of the literature.

 is not presented as a collection of citations from multiple journal articles.

 demonstrates a clear connection between prior research and the proposed research.

 clearly presents the historical context of the problem.

 clearly presents a critical analysis of the literature.

 includes the causes of the problem, as identified in the literature (if known).

 includes prior solutions to the problem found in the literature.

 includes 85% (or more) current, scholarly research (published within the last five years).

 is focused on solving the problem.

 includes the author’s voice throughout.

 includes a topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph.

 is written concisely.

Theoretical Framework

Checklist: Theoretical Framework

 begins with the theory and theorist.

 includes the origin of the theory including a description of the theory and the

coordinating concepts.

 includes the rationale for utilizing the theory (connection between the theory and the

research).

Summary

Checklist: Summary

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 continues with a reminder to the major headings of this chapter.

 only includes the purpose statement, problem statement, and reminder of the major

headings.

Chapter Three: Procedures

Overview

Checklist: Overview

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 concludes with a concise introduction to the major headings of the section.

 only includes the purpose statement, problem statement, and introduction to the major

headings.

First Data Collection Method Procedures

See the Checklist options that follow.

Second Data Collection Method Procedures

See the Checklist options that follow.

Third Data Collection Method Procedures

See the Checklist options that follow. Choose three of the options provided: interviews, focus

group, survey, questionnaire, observations, or documents.

Checklist: Interview Procedures

 includes the type of interview and rationale for using this type (structured, unstructured,

semi-structured).

 identifies the participants and sampling technique (purposeful sampling, snowball, etc.).

 briefly identifies participants and the rationale for participant selection.

 includes how the interviews were conducted (face-to-face, phone, etc.).

 briefly explains the data analysis procedures.

 includes the interview questions and their rationale cited using the literature.

 are written in paragraph format.

 are written in future/present tense prior to conducting research or past tense following the

research.

Checklist: Focus Group Procedures

 begins with the type of focus group (single or mini).

 includes the rationale for including this approach.

 identifies the participants and sampling type (purposeful sampling, snowball, etc.).

 identifies the rationale for participant selection.

 includes how the focus group was conducted (face-to-face, e-conference, etc.).

 briefly explains data analysis procedures.

 includes the focus group questions and relevant citation(s) from the scholarly literature

for each question.

 are written in paragraph format.

 are written in future/present tense prior to conducting research or past tense following the

research.

Checklist: Survey Procedures

 begins with the type of survey (Likert scale, multiple choice, true/false, etc.).

 includes the rationale for including this approach.

 identifies the participants and sampling type (purposeful sampling, snowball, etc.).

 identifies the rationale for participant selection.

 includes how the survey was conducted.

 briefly explains data analysis procedures.

 includes the demographic questions.

 includes prompts and their rationale (cited using the literature).

 are written in paragraph format.

 are written in future/present tense prior to conducting research or past tense following the

research.

Checklist: Questionnaire Procedures

 identifies the type of questionnaire.

 includes the rationale for including this approach.

 briefly describes how data were collected.

 identifies the participants and sampling type (purposeful sampling, snowball, etc.).

 identifies the rationale for participant selection.

 states how the questionnaire research was conducted.

 briefly explains data analysis procedures.

 includes the demographic questions.

 includes the content questions and their rationale (cited using the literature).

 are written in paragraph format.

 are written in future/present tense prior to conducting research or past tense following the

research.

Checklist: Observation Procedures

 identifies the approach and rationale for using this approach.

 includes information about how access and prior arrangements were made.

 includes the date, time, and location of the observation.

 includes a description of the setting.

 includes information about the subjects.

 briefly explains how data were collected (includes field notes).

 briefly explains data analysis procedures.

 are written in paragraph format.

 are written in future/present tense prior to conducting research or past tense following the

research.

Checklist: Qualitative Document Analysis Procedures

 begins with the data collection approach (qualitative document).

 identifies the type of document (permanent or temporary).

 includes how the documents were obtained.

 briefly explains how data were analyzed.

 are written in paragraph format.

 are written in future/present tense prior to conducting research or past tense following the

research.

Checklist: Quantitative Document Procedures

 begins with the data collection approach (quantitative document).

 identifies the type of document (permanent or temporary).

 includes the rationale for including this approach.

 includes where and how documents were obtained.

 briefly explains how data were analyzed.

 are written in paragraph format.

 are written in future/present tense prior to conducting research or past tense following the

research.

Summary

Checklist: Summary

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 continues with a reminder to the major headings of this chapter.

 only includes the purpose statement, problem statement, and reminder of the major

headings.

Chapter Four: Findings

Overview

Checklist: Overview

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 concludes with a concise introduction to the major headings of the section.

 only includes the purpose statement, problem statement, and introduction to the major

headings.

First Data Collection Method Findings

See the Checklists that follow.

Second Data Collection Method Findings

See the Checklists that follow.

Third Data Collection Method Findings

See the Checklists that follow. Include the same three data collection methods you chose for your

Chapter Three: Procedures.

Checklist: Interview Findings

 includes the type of interview.

 includes a brief overview of the procedures.

 includes a description of participants.

 includes themes and codes table with participant quotes.

 includes themes and frequency codes across data table.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Checklist: Focus Group Findings

 includes the type of focus group (single or mini).

 includes a brief overview of the procedures.

 includes a description of participants.

 includes themes and codes table with participant quotes.

 includes themes and frequency codes across data table.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Checklist: Survey Findings

 includes the type of scale.

 includes a brief overview of the procedures.

 includes a Description of Participants.

 includes Survey Results in the form of tables.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Checklist: Questionnaire Findings

 includes the type of questionnaire (qualitative).

 includes a brief overview of the procedures.

 includes a description of participants.

 includes themes and codes table with participant quotes.

 includes themes and frequency codes across data table.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Checklist: Observation Findings

 includes the type of observation conducted.

 includes a brief overview of the procedures.

 includes Observation Description of Subjects.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Checklist: Qualitative Document Analysis Findings

 includes the type of documents analyzed.

 includes a brief overview of the procedures.

 includes Qualitative Document Analysis Results in the form of tables and figures.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Checklist: Quantitative Documents Findings

 includes the type of documents analyzed.

 includes a brief overview of the procedures.

 includes Quantitative Document Analysis Results in the form of tables and figures.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Discussion

Checklist: Discussion of the Findings

 thoroughly discusses the findings in relation to the themes.

 thoroughly discusses the findings with participant quotes.

 thoroughly discusses the findings in relation to data analysis.

 thoroughly discusses themes in relation to the scholarly literature.

 compares results from each data collection method.

 is written in paragraph format.

 is written in accurate tense.

Summary

Checklist: Summary

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 continues with a reminder to the major headings of this chapter.

 only includes the purpose statement, problem statement, and reminder of the major

headings.

Chapter Five: Recommendations

Overview

Checklist: Overview

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 concludes with a concise introduction to the major headings of the section.

 only includes the purpose statement, problem statement, and introduction to the major

headings.

Recommendations

Checklist: Recommendations

 includes the purpose of the study.

 includes the central research question.

 lists one or more specific recommendations in a numerical list.

 discusses each recommendation separately using headings.

 includes justification for each recommendation based on the data collected and literature

reviewed.

 includes the implications (pros and cons).

Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders

Checklist: Roles and Responsibilities

 includes each recommendation under its own heading.

 describes the roles and responsibilities of each person needed to accomplish the

recommendation.

 includes possible personnel implications (hiring, training, certifications).

Resources Needed

Checklist: Resources Needed

 includes a heading for each of the recommendations.

 includes enough detail to account for all resources.

 includes numerical values, if applicable.

 includes possible sources.

Timeline

Checklist: Timeline

 includes a timeline for each recommendation in table format.

 includes the date and action for completing each item.

 includes enough detail that the recommendation could be implemented effectively.

Summary

Checklist: Summary

 the first sentence is the purpose statement.

 the second sentence is the problem statement.

 continues with a reminder to the major headings of this chapter.

 ends with a concise reminder of the recommendations.

References

Checklist: References

 All citations are in proper APA 7th edition format.

 Hyperlinks are included and in consistent font and color per APA 7th edition format.

 All references are used at least once in text.

Appendix

Checklist: Appendix

 Appendix A

o Site Permission Letter

▪ On site letterhead

▪ Dated

▪ Includes the project title

▪ Hand-signed by the official gatekeeper who is the name reported in the

Permission to Conduct Research section

▪ Includes the gatekeeper’s contact information (phone and email address)

▪ Optional: IRB approval, if applicable and required by the site

 Appendix B

o Interview Questions

▪ Interview questions as they appear in Chapter Three minus the rationales

 Appendix C

o Survey, Questionnaire, or Focus Group Questions as they appear in Chapter Three

minus the rationales