the capstone assignment, as its name indicates, is a critical course component because it demonstrates your ability to analyze, synthesize and utilize critical thinking skills. In addition, successful completion of the capstone must demonstrate your mastery and application of the course learning outcomes. This mandatory assignment must receive a passing grade (60% or better) for you to pass the course.

Overview

A Primary Research project investigates a specific problem through primary research (surveys, focus groups, interviews, key informant surveys, other data sets where statistical analysis can occur) and secondary research (library, marketplace, public databases).  Based upon the analysis of this data your final report will validate or invalidate a specific problem statement.  You will present recommendations that direct the next steps to be taken as a result of the study. This is the broadest type of research project.  It can address any problem that is not related to marketing, feasibility, or improving a process.

Capstone Objectives

Analyze the role of research in problem-solving.
Explore a  problem and make recommendations for solving it.
Integrate primary and secondary retrieved data, information, and original recommendations in a formal written report.
Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate sources of information and assess the credibility of sources.
Use NoodleTools to create correctly cited APA references.
Capstone Required Content and Format

When considering a primary research project, first look at either your own workplace or a local small business or non-profit organization that can benefit from a primary research project where issues are identified and solutions/recommendations are presented. Your capstone must clearly define a problem or weakness and you’ll need to document that with some preliminary, and adequate, background information that you will collect via primary or secondary research.

You will be identifying a problem and providing recommendations on how to correct the problem or improve the weakness. Your primary and secondary research must be complete enough to provide a detailed, critical analysis of the problem or weakness, and you must also have enough documentation to support the recommendation you present.

Every quality house is built on a solid foundation and your capstone is built upon the same logic. Your topic and identified problem/weakness must be clearly defined and narrow enough that you can adequately perform primary and secondary research throughout the course.

Type of report: You are writing a PERSUASIVE paper, not an informative one. What’s the difference? At the end of your presentation – written report and visual presentation – you want your audience to (ideally) agree with your recommendations outright, or at least accept your recommendations with some modifications.

Questions to Guide Your Research

What is the problem, issue, or weakness? 
What kind of data supports your identification of the problem/issue/weakness? 
What are some possible solutions or alternatives? 
What is your analysis of these possible solutions/alternatives? Why will they work? What are the drawbacks or barriers? How will the solution/alternative benefit the company? 
What is your recommendation (be clear and bold)? 
What is the path forward? What are the next steps?
Suggested Organization Capstone Paper

                                BAC 3000 Capstone Outline



Title Page
Introduction
Attention grabber - Hook me!
Explanation of the problem you seek to address
Example: “The following research is an investigation into the effect the Americans With Disabilities Act has had on small businesses. With primary research consisting of surveys of disabled individuals, and small business owners, it will demonstrate the importance of compliance with the laws and provide suggestions for financial incentives to assist small business owners.”
Discussion of Primary Research -Frequently this helps prove the problem is a problem.
What did you do?
What did you find out?
Discussion of Secondary Research
Exploration of Possible Solution - Use secondary research!!!!
Analysis of solution -pros and cons
Exploration of a Second Possible Solution
Analysis of solution - pros and cons
Exploration of a Third Possible Solution
Analysis of solution - pros and cons
Recommended Solution
First what should happen
What should happen next
And next…
How to Move Forward
How can this happen? Who needs to get on board? How can it be implemented?
Conclusion
Restatement of the problem (thesis)
Restatement of how to move forward
Final statement is a BOOM!
References page
Appendix
Primary Research Questionnaire or Survey and results
Presentation PowerPoint

The PowerPoint or Prezi that accompanies your report should include the high-level information from each section of your written report. Keep in mind that the purpose of the presentation is to have a visual representation of the most important information. You are also required to include an audio introduction to your presentation.

Capstone Rubric

Students are encouraged to review the Capstone Rubric to clarify the expectations and grading criteria.  The BAC 3000 Capstone will use the following rubric(s):

BAC 3000 Capstone Rubric
BAC 3000 Capstone Presentation Rubric
Capstone Mechanics

Recommended 4-5 pages in length, including one title page and 1 reference page (Body is 2-3 pages).  
Adhere to APA formatting standards, 12-font, double-spaced, and one-inch margins. 
A minimum of three resources from the Cleary library.
Incorporate APA in-text citations and references.  
Written in third person point of view.
Include your last name in the file name for your document.
Remember to submit your capstone draft to Turnitin (score must be 10% or less) before you submit it here for grading.
Capstone PowerPoint Presentation Mechanics