Many students start with a general topic and then narrow the focus. For example, youmay beinterested in social media and decide to examine its use by employees in the workplace. You could be even more specific, limiting your scope to a particular geographical location, a specific type of company, an age group, etc.
For mostpapers, you will want to write a thesis statement expressing the argument you want to make. The statement will guide you as you search for information. In this case, you may decide that youwant to find research on the pros and cons of social media use in the workplace. A sample thesis statementis Do the benefits to companies whose employees use social mediaat work outweighthe negatives?
If you plan to conduct actual research, you will need to establish aresearch question or questions that your study will attempt to answer. For example, we may ask Does the size of a company make a significant difference in the degree to which companies benefit from social media use among their employees?To address this question, you could do a survey of various companies and compare the responses of large, medium and small companies. Ideally this study would cover new ground and not exactly replicate previous studies.
FAQs
Research current trends and issues: Look for current trends and issues in your field of study and choose a topic that addresses them. This will make your capstone project more relevant and impactful. Consult with your advisor: Consult with your capstone advisor to get their input and guidance on choosing a topic.
Is a capstone course hard? ›
Taking on a big, longer-term academic or professional project can be very challenging. So when you complete a capstone project, it can provide a confidence boost by demonstrating to yourself and your peers, professors and future employers what you're capable of accomplishing in your field of study.
What are the 3 research questions? ›
There are three types of research questions: descriptive, relational, and causal. Research questions must be feasible, measurable, clear, specific, and focused in order to be effective.
What is the difference between a capstone and a thesis? ›
A capstone project attempts to address an issue in the field by applying existing knowledge toward a real-life problem (often in the form of fieldwork). A thesis seeks to create new knowledge through student research, trying to prove or argue a hypothesis, rather than just investigate a topic.
How long are capstone papers? ›
The capstone project will typically be a digital project related to the student's area of study, accompanied by a 20-25 page double-spaced white paper.
How many sources should a capstone paper have? ›
Your capstone project should be at least 45 pages in length with an adequate amount of references, about 12–14 sources.
Can you fail a capstone exam? ›
If you happen to fail the capstone exam, don't worry! You can retake it as many times as needed to pass, without having to retake the entire course. Additionally, upon submitting the exam, any incorrect answers will be displayed, giving you valuable insight into areas that may need more focus.
What happens if you fail capstone project? ›
Potential Consequences of Failing a Capstone Project
Sometimes, a student may be required to complete additional coursework or resubmit the project to graduate. In other cases, a student may be required to repeat the entire capstone project or may be allowed to choose a different one to complete.
What happens if you don't pass capstone? ›
If by not passing the capstone you fall into poor academic standing, you'll need to take additional degree-applicable courses to return to good standing before enrolling in the capstone for your second and final time.
What is a topic for capstone project? ›
Other topics can also involve designing a new software application, investigating the sociopolitical impact of media bias, or developing sustainable business strategies. A successful capstone project topic often reflects both the student's personal interests and the evolving trends in their field.
The first step in writing a position paper is choosing your topic. You may be assigned a topic, or you may need to develop a topic yourself. In either case, a good topic for a position paper is one that allows you to take a definable, defendable stance that you can back up with relevant data.
