Capstone Template PDF

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Running head: SHORT CAPSTONE TITLE

Western Governors University Teachers College Master of Science, Educational Leadership

Capstone Template

The following pages provide a template for planning and writing the capstone written project. Please adhere to this template to ensure the successful submission of the capstone paper. Capstone tasks 3–5 must align with this template precisely. You are encouraged to copy this document and type your project directly in the template to ensure alignment with capstone requirements. Please remove this cover page from the paper before submitting your work.

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Running head: SHORT CAPSTONE TITLE

[Title of Capstone Here] [Author's Name Here] A Capstone Presented to the Teachers College Faculty of Western Governors University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science, Educational Leadership [Date of Submission Here]

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Abstract This section, which is developed after the written capstone project is completed, consists of one double-spaced paragraph (150–200 words) and presents a succinct summary of the project. Include the topic, research questions, participants, methods, results, and conclusions. Avoid using indentation. Write in past tense.

Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Topic and Problem........................................................................................................5 Topic................................................................................................................................................5 Problem Statement...........................................................................................................................5 Problem Background and Causes....................................................................................................5 Research Questions..........................................................................................................................5 Topic and Problem Conclusion........................................................................................................5 Chapter 2 - Review of the Literature...............................................................................................7 Overview of the Literature...............................................................................................................7 Thematic Subheading......................................................................................................................7 Thematic Subheading......................................................................................................................7 Thematic Subheading......................................................................................................................7 Summary..........................................................................................................................................7 Chapter 3 - Research Methodology.................................................................................................8 Research Design..............................................................................................................................8 Research Questions..........................................................................................................................8 Participants......................................................................................................................................8 Data Collection Instruments and Methods......................................................................................8 Data Security and Confidentiality...................................................................................................9 Summary..........................................................................................................................................9 Chapter 4 - Results.........................................................................................................................10 Results Overview...........................................................................................................................10 Data Analysis.................................................................................................................................10 Answers to the Research Questions...............................................................................................10 Chapter 5 - Discussion and Conclusion.........................................................................................11 Overview........................................................................................................................................11 Problem Solutions..........................................................................................................................11 Strengths and Weaknesses.............................................................................................................11 Influential Factors..........................................................................................................................11

Further Investigation......................................................................................................................11 References......................................................................................................................................12 Appendix A....................................................................................................................................14 Appendix B....................................................................................................................................15 Appendix C....................................................................................................................................16 Appendix D....................................................................................................................................17

Chapter 1 - Topic and Problem (suggested length of 4–6 pages) Topic Discuss the topic of the project. Include the importance of the topic to the field of education. Include the appropriate in-text citation(s) to substantiate your claims. The topic must be discussed from an administrative perspective throughout the capstone. Problem Statement Identify, in a problem statement, the educational problem (suggested length of 1–2 sentences) that is impacting the immediate learning environment. The problem statement must clearly align with the topic discussed in the first section. Problem Background and Causes Provide background information about the problem. Include a discussion that justifies the significance of the problem in the current educational context. Discuss the possible root causes of the problem, and include supporting information. Include the appropriate in-text citation(s) as support. Maintain an administrative perspective and ensure that the discussion is clearly aligned with the topic discussed in the first section. Research Questions State 1–3 research question(s), ensuring alignment with the topic, problem statement, and data collection methods proposed. Research questions may be addressed by using quantitative data, qualitative data, or both types of data. These research questions must be the same questions approved in your prospectus.

Note: Quantitative research questions must be measurable. Qualitative research questions must be clearly answerable by the data collected. No research question should be answerable with “yes” or “no” or a single number. Topic and Problem Conclusion Provide a conclusion that explains how the topic and problem justify a need for this project.

Chapter 2 - Review of the Literature Overview of the Literature As an introduction to the chapter, provide a brief overview of the current professional literature on the topic, including the themes to be discussed in subsequent subsections. Thematic Subheading [Insert theme found in the literature. Number of themes will vary.] Use topic-specific subheadings. Subheadings should reflect themes and categories specific to the topic. Provide context for the study by exploring the research previously conducted in the topic area. Include a discussion of current best practices that are acknowledged by researchers and professional educators. Support the discussion with citations. Thematic Subheading [Insert theme found in the literature. Number of themes will vary.] Use topic-specific subheadings. Subheadings should reflect themes and categories specific to the topic. Provide context for the study by exploring the research previously conducted in the topic area. Include a discussion of current best practices that are acknowledged by researchers and professional educators. Support the discussion with citations. Thematic Subheading [Insert theme found in the literature. Number of themes will vary.] Use topic-specific subheadings. Subheadings should reflect themes and categories specific to the topic. Provide context for the study by exploring the research previously conducted in the topic area. Include a discussion of current best practices that are acknowledged by researchers and professional educators. Support the discussion with citations.

Summary Provide a conclusion that explains how the literature applies to the problem being investigated.

Chapter 3 - Research Methodology Research Design “Research design” refers to the general methodological approach. For WGU Teachers College capstone projects, an action research model is the expected research design model. Explain how this study adheres to or deviates from the action research model. Research Questions State the research question(s), ensuring alignment with the topic, problem statement, and data collection methods proposed. Research questions may be addressed by using quantitative data, qualitative data, or both types of data. They must be the same questions approved in your prospectus. Note: Quantitative research questions must be measurable. Qualitative research questions must be clearly answerable by the data collected. No research question should be answerable with a “yes” or “no” or a single number. Participants Describe the participants in the study. Include demographic information and additional relevant characteristics of the target population (e.g., cultural factors, learning styles, educational levels, prior learning experiences, and motivational tendencies). Always include the number of research subjects. Include the appropriate citation(s) showing where demographic information was obtained. Data Collection Instruments and Methods

Discuss the data collection instruments (e.g., assessment, survey, test, interview, observation, or other quantitative or qualitative instruments) and the data collection methods to be used. Explain the data collection procedures. Another researcher should be able to replicate this study based on the step-by-step description provided in this section. Note: If qualitative data are collected, more than one qualitative instrument will be needed for appropriate triangulation. Data Security and Confidentiality Explain how the security of the data and consent forms will be maintained and h ow the confidentiality of the participants will be preserved. Summary Provide a conclusion that summarizes the key methodological elements of the study.

Chapter 4 - Results Results Overview Provide a data-driven summary of the results of the study. Data Analysis Provide an analysis for each set of data. Include appropriate visual aids such as APAformatted tables and figures. Answers to the Research Questions Discuss the answers to each of the research questions and support the discussion with the data analysis. Note: Chapter 4 must be written in past tense, demonstrating that the study was completed and the data were analyzed.

Chapter 5 - Discussion and Conclusion

Overview Provide an overview of the conclusions reached. Problem Solutions Explain how your research problem could be solved, based on the results of your study. Strengths and Weaknesses Discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of the project (e.g., research methodology, data tools). Influential Factors Discuss any factors that may have skewed the findings (e.g., prior relationship with participants, wording of a questionnaire). Further Investigation Recommend areas for further investigation raised by your research and relevant to your topic. Note: Chapter 5 must be written in past tense when referring to the intervention, data collection, or data analysis.

References (Examples of APA style references are presented below)

Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderlund, L., & Brizee, A. (2013). General format. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ Bell, T., & Phillips, T. (2008). A solar flare. Science @ NASA Podcast. Podcast retrieved from http://science.nasa.gov/podcast.htm Bergmann, P. G. (1993). Relativity. In The New Encyclopedia Britannica. (Vol. 26, pp. 501-508). Chicago, IL: Encyclopedia Britannica. Bernstein, M. (2002). 10 tips on writing the living Web. A list apart: For people who make websites, 149. Retrieved from http://www.alistapart.com/articles/writeliving Biswas, S. (2008). Dopamine D3 receptor: A neuroprotective treatment target in Parkinson's disease. Retrieved from ProQuest Digital Dissertations. (AAT 3295214) Butler, C. (Interviewer) & Stevenson, R. (Interviewee). (1999). Oral History 2 [Interview transcript]. Retrieved from Johnson Space Center Oral Histories Project Web site: http:// www11.jsc.nasa.gov/history/oral_histories/oral_histories.htm Henry, W. A., III. (1990). Making the grade in today's schools. Time, 135, 28-31. Important, I. M. (Producer). (1990, November 1). The nightly news hour [Television broadcast]. New York, NY: Central Broadcasting Service. Kernis, M. H., Cornell, D. P., Sun, C. R., Berry, A., Harlow, T., & Bach, J. S. (1993). There's more to self-esteem than whether it is high or low: The importance of stability of selfesteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 1190-1204. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.65.6.1190

Moller, G. (2002, August). Ripples versus rumbles [Letter to the editor]. Scientific American, 287(2), 12. National Institute of Mental Health. (1990). Clinical training in serious mental illness (DHHS Publication No. ADM 90-1679). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Psychology Video Blog #3 [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=lqM90eQi5-M Purdue OWL: APA formatting and style guide. (2012). Purdue online writing lab. Citation style chart. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/949/01/ Schnase, J. L., & Cunnius, E. L. (Eds.). (1995). Proceedings from CSCL '95: The First International Conference on Computer Support for Collaborative Learning. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. Schultz, S. (2005). Calls made to strengthen state energy policies. The Country Today, pp. 1A, 2A. Taupin, B. (1975). Someone saved my life tonight [Recorded by Elton John]. On Captain Fantastic and the brown dirt cowboy [CD]. London, England: Big Pig Music Limited. Wegener, D. T., & Petty, R. E. (1994). Mood management across affective states: The hedonic contingency hypothesis. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 66, 1034-1048. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.66.6.1034

Appendix A (Provide a detailed outline of the intervention or instructional product. For example: listed procedures, resources/materials, etc.)

Appendix B (Include all data-gathering instruments such as assessments, surveys, questionnaires observation checklists, interview questions, etc .)

Appendix C (Include the “Informed Consent Form,” which was used to obtain permission from participants or parents of student participants and an administrator of the school or organization to participate in the project. Please provide the blank form, without signatures, to protect confidentiality.)

Appendix D (Include additional supplements as necessary.)...