Recommended Resources:
Fred P., Randall BR. Writing Empirical Research Reports: A Basic Guide for Students
of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Fifth Edition, Pyrczak Publishing, 2005.
Kuhn, TS. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Third Edition, The University of
Chicago Press, 1996
Locke, FL, Spirduso, WW, Silverman, SJ. Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning
Dissertations and Grant Proposals, Fourth Edition, Sage Publications, Inc., 1999
Patten, ML, Proposing Empirical Research: A Guide to the Fundamentals, Second
Edition, Pyrczak Publishing, 2002.
Goldschmidt, P. (June 1986, Part I): Information synthesis: A practical guide. Health
Services Research (21), pp. 215-237.
Rundall, T.G. (March 1996): Conducting and writing research reviews. Medical Care
Research and Review (53-Suppl.), pp. S132-S145.
Shi Leiyu, Health Services Research Methods, 2nd Edition, Delmar Cengage Learning,
- ISBN 13:978-1-4283-5229-2.
Written Capstone Research Project:
The proposal must include the following three sections (chapters):
- Introduction: This section includes the following: (1) statement of the research
problem (purpose of the capstone research project), (2) specific testable research
hypotheses or questions which will be addressed in the project, 3) a brief but
comprehensive review of related literature which supports the
importance/significance of the project (4) a clear statement of the potential
contribution of the project to health care management knowledge and practice.
[Approximately 10 pages]
- Methods: This section includes a detailed description of the research methods
that will be employed in your capstone project. The following areas must be
addressed: (1) population and sample including the sample selection criteria, (2)
study design, (3) data sources, (4) methods of data collection, (5) study variables
(e.g., independent and dependent variables) specified in operational terms, (6)
analytic methods to be used (make sure to identify the specific statistical
procedures and discuss their appropriateness). [Approximately 10 pages]
III. Findings & Discussion: This section includes the key findings of your capstone
project and appropriate managerial and policy recommendations. The following
must be addressed: (1) a detailed description of the key findings of your capstone
project, (2) managerial and policy implications of your key findings, and (3)
limitations of your capstone project and future managerial and policy
recommendations. [Approximately 10 pages]
A list of references must be included at the end. You are required to include at least 10
references from peer-reviewed research journals, using the “APA” style. You may use
citations from trade journals, web sites, or other published or unpublished sources to
supplement, but not replace, the minimum 10 peer-reviewed journal citations.
Capstone project options include but not limited to preparing a grant proposal, a
marketing or strategic plan, writing a publishable literature review paper, conducting a
program evaluation, policy analysis, and financial case analysis.
