Capstone Template PDF

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Western Governors University Teachers College 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. In addition to populating the template, please provide the appropriate information where text is bracketed and highlighted in yellow.

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 [Degree Type and Area Here] [Date of Submission Here]

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1 Abstract

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

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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

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

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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. Problem Statement Identify, in a problem statement, the educational problem (suggested length of 1–2 sentences) that is impacting the immediate learning environment.. 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. 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, qualitative, 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.” Topic and Problem Conclusion

SHORT CAPSTONE TITLE Provide a conclusion that explains how the topic and problem justify a need for this project.

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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 discussion of current best practices that are acknowledged by researchers and professional educators. Support 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 discussion of current best practices that are acknowledged by researchers and professional educators. Support 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 discussion of current best practices that are acknowledged by researchers and professional educators. Support with citations. Summary Provide a conclusion that explains how the literature applies to the problem being investigated.

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Chapter 3 - Research Methodology Research Design Research design refers to the general methodological approach. For WGU Teachers College capstone projects, action research is the expected research design to be employed. 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, qualitative, 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.” 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

SHORT CAPSTONE TITLE 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 confidentiality of the participants will be preserved. Summary Provide a conclusion that summarizes the key methodological elements of the study.

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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.

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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.

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References (Models of APA style 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 self-

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esteem. 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

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Appendix A (Provide the entire curriculum or instructional unit.)

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

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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.)

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Appendix D (Include additional supplements as necessary.)

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