Evidence of the Need to Mitigate the Negative Impact of One Challenge

Running Head: DISSERTATION AND DOCTORAL 2

Dissertation and Doctoral Capstone: Commonalities and Differences

Letrese A. Lofton

Capella University

NHS 8051-Preparing for the Professional Doctorate in Health Administration

August 2021

Dissertation and Doctoral Capstone: Commonalities and Differences

The dissertation and doctoral capstone both require the educational learner to elucidate on a systematic approach to higher learning. Each approach requires and elevated sense of learning and the varied experience of being able to develop journaled works in academics. A dissertation while considered scholarly writing, it is different from a perspective of length and it is usually longer that an article. The dissertation is a lengthy document published in at least five chapters. It requires an overview, literature review, methodology, analysis, findings, and summary. A dissertation can be tedious, cumbersome, and tiring for those who complete it. Whether it is empirical or non-empirical, dissertations give the learner the opportunity to explore what they are interested in, demonstrate accuracy and skills, manage a critical project, and apply what they have learned during their studies.

When completing a dissertation, it can be a challenge working on planning accordingly because academic life is hard, you have to sacrifice a lot to complete tasks on time. Poor time management can make or break a dissertation when you think about it at the last minute. This is a problem when selecting a topic that is the foundation for your study when it is considered too broad. Investing time to narrow down the topic and putting in work to do a lot of research versus shallow research will help sooner rather than later. This means over time developing adequate writing and technical skills to prepare for a lengthy dissertation (Bouchrika, 2021). In short, a dissertation summarizes research for students in a PhD program whereas a doctoral capstone is different.

The Doctoral Capstone

For a student seeking higher education, there are differences between the dissertation and doctoral capstone. While both require critical thinking, a lot of writing, and creating a project that has a strong foundation in research from the academic learner. The difference is that a dissertation is done in a five-chapter document and a capstone is presented in two parts. The primary focus for a doctoral capstone is a portfolio paper in publishable length like a management plan, policy manual, or curriculum. It is also a final presentation that defines the creation of the deliverable research product. The dissertation addresses a gap in existing research and solving the problem while the capstone applies research to deliver a solution to the problem. The doctoral capstone is to deliver immediate results to a problem within a specific organization instead of seeking new knowledge. The capstone timeframe can take from 2-8 quarters and the dissertation can take from 4-8 quarters. The doctoral capstone is deliverable via an action research paper, evaluation, or clinical research paper with a change management plan (Capella University, 2019)

Mitigating Organizational Challenges

In conducting research for a doctoral capstone project, I must comprehend the principles of research and the evidence-based principles (EBP) taught to myself throughout this program and during my professional experiences. To mitigate the negative impact of organizational challenges within my current profession requires more that just educational learning, it also requires knowledge-based learning. EBP is integrated in improving skills, attitudes, and behaviors within the organizations and field in which we work. The effectiveness of EBP depends upon the identification and solutions of problems and translating the didactic to real-world clinical experiences to solve a problem. While EBP competency can be inflated among health officials, it is critical to address these issues objectively. Over time, EBP can help mitigate organizational challenges when the knowledge and skills of those professionals is developed over a long period of time, and credibility seen by those when making changes. Health professionals must also be willing to learn consistently and continuously (Gardner, Lahoz, Bond, & Levin, 2016). EBP is only effective if laborious research is conducted by the student and requires a tremendous amount of sacrifice on the part of the learner. While there are challenges to EBP, interprofessionals are strong in sparking change in the healthcare arena with implementing restructure of healthcare systems, being persistent in educating others about awareness, and having multiple perspectives on transforming healthcare. Whether it is a capstone or dissertation, systems thinking, transparency, and having innovation sets the tone for research partnerships and organizational changes (Stevens, 2013).

Quality of available Research Evidence

During the research process for a doctoral capstone, to assist in mitigating the adverse impact of organizational trials while meeting Capella’s guideline, requires that I do extensive research. This means peer-reviewed sources that have sound and proven evidence to support my project. It also entails me to utilize the resources that are available to me through my years of on-the-job training, healthcare administration certification, and my organization’s education and training department. Overcoming barriers to finding sufficient resources means using Capella’s writing sources, other peers, and learning about extensive research methods to become successful. Writing a doctoral capstone should meet certain strictures in order to meet the institutions guidelines. It must be congruent to the coursework taught, must contribute and be original works, must adopt cohort-based pedagogies, and benefits the learner’s current profession. While there are differences between a doctoral capstone and dissertation, the career focus and intended outcomes are different in that doctorates are designed to meet the needs of those already in their careers. The admissions requirements, mode of study, and research focus are all differences, but the same dedication and work applies (Jones, 2018).

References Bouchrika, I. (2021). What Is A University Dissertation: Structure, Challenges & Writing Tips. Guide 2 Research. Retrieved August 2021, from https://research.com/research/what-is-a-university-dissertation Capella University. (2019). Dissertation and Doctoral Capstone—Commonalities. Retrieved August 2021, from https://www.capella.edu/blogs/cublog/difference-between-a-dissertation-and-doctoral-capstone-project/ Gardner, A., Lahoz, M. R., Bond, I., & Levin, L. (2016). Assessing the Effectiveness of an Evidence-based Practice Pharmacology Course Using the Fresno Test. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 80(7), 123. Retrieved August 2021, from Gardner, A., Lahoz, M. R., Bond, I., & Levin, L. (2016). Assessing the Effectiveness of an Evidence-based Practice Pharmacology Course Using thehttps://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe807123 Jones, M. (2018). Contemporary trends in professional doctorates. Studies in Higher Education, 43(5), 814-825. Retrieved August 2021, from https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2018.1438095 Stevens, K. R. (2013). The Impact of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and the Next Big Ideas. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(2). Retrieved August 2021, from https://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-18-2013/No2-May-2013/Impact-of-Evidence-Based-Practice.html