FIRST STEPS: WRITING YOUR PROPOSAL AND TIMELINE Capstone Seminar Class of 2015
Overview Writing Your Proposal Capstone Project Approval Form Communication with Your Committee Developing Detailed Project Plan and Timeline Monthly Progress Reports Managing Your Project
Writing Your Proposal Background 1-3 sentences to describe why this study is needed This can be drawn from lit review you did for Research Methods course Research questions/ Project Goals 1-3 sentences to describe the overall aims of your project what you hope to accomplish Methods 1-3 sentences to describe how you plan to accomplish your goals Why What How
Project Proposal Form Working Title for Project Committee members Name Affiliation Email Address Phone number Signature** Form must be signed by all committee members Electronic signatures accepted Faxed copies accepted **Signature required to indicate that individual agrees to serve on this committee and has received and reviewed a copy of the Capstone Project Handbook and Timeline
Capstone Project Committee It is important that each member of your committee has a good understanding of the Capstone Project requirements and timeline and is committed to providing the guidance and feedback needed to assure the success of your project.
You should: Schedule a meeting (face-to-face or conference call) with each prospective committee member to discuss your research topic. These meetings are helpful in developing your project proposal and study design. Program faculty can attend these meetings to assist in discussing your project idea/plan. Provide each committee member with an electronic copy of the Capstone Project Handbook and timeline. Review the Student/ Committee Responsibilities section of the handbook with each committee member
Communicating with Committee It is important to establish and maintain good communication with your committee members throughout the Capstone Project process Find out communication preferences of your committee members Method Frequency Make sure you maintain professionalism in all interactions Keep everyone in the loop Give committee members plenty of time to respond/ review Discuss role that each committee member will play Involved in all aspects? Consultative role provide feedback on drafts Committee Chair is most active member of your committee Be sure to keep program faculty representative on your committee informed
Role of Committee Members Each committee member should be asked to review and comment on the following: Project proposal Detailed project plan and timeline Any survey or other tool you develop to complete your project Written section of your IRB application Each section of your report (submitted by established deadline) Final Report Slides and presentation notes Abstracts to be submitted Any other product that is produced as part of your Capstone Project i.e. brochure, audiotape or video, etc. Your committee members should also have an opportunity to review all results you obtain from any data collection performed as part of your research project. Suggestions for data analysis should be solicited, even if you are working with a statistical consultant
Throughout the project and especially at the end, express your thanks to your committee for their work on your project. This is usually a significant time commitment for them for which they are not compensated.
Developing a Project Plan and Timeline Make a list of everything you need to do to accomplish the goals of your project Example: Survey Development Discuss goals of survey with committee members and chair Write outline for survey Develop initial questions Send to committee chair for initial review Send revised questions to committee for review Schedule conference call to discuss Revise survey based on committee input Send final draft of survey to committee chair and members for review Format survey in Qualtrics
Developing a Project Plan and Timeline Set realistic target dates for completing each task Factor in time for committee chair/ member review Include all program deadlines in your timeline Activity Discuss goals of survey with committee members and chair Target Date 6/15/14 Write outline for survey 7/1/14 Develop initial questions 7/15/14 Send to committee chair for initial review Send revised questions to committee for review Schedule conference call to discuss 7/15/14 7/30/14 8/15/14 Completed Deadline for submitting final draft of survey 9/29/14
Monthly Progress Reports Activity Target Date Completed Email to all committee members Updated Plan and Timeline Explain any delays or revisions to target dates Discuss goals of survey with committee members and chair 6/15/14 6/16/14 Write outline for survey 7/1/14 7/1/14 Develop initial questions 7/15/14 7/8/14 Send to committee chair for initial review Send revised questions to committee for review Schedule conference call to discuss 7/15/14 7/8/14 7/30/14 7/20/14 8/15/14 8/24/14* Deadline for submitting final draft of survey 9/30/14 * Call delayed due to vacation schedules, but still on target for meeting program deadline
Project Management: Multitasking Activity Target Date Completed You should be working on other aspects of your project while drafts are out for review It is your responsibility to keep the project moving forward Build this into your project plan and timeline Send to committee chair for initial review 7/15/14 7/8/14 Draft methods section 7/16/14 7/15/14 Send draft methods section to committee chair Send revised questions to committee for review Send draft of methods section to committee to review 7/23/14 7/15/14 7/30/14 7/20/14 8/1/14 (program deadline 9/4/14) 8/1/14 Review IRB requirements 8/7/14 8/7/14 Schedule conference call to discuss survey and methods 8/15/14 8/24/14* *Call delayed due to vacation schedules, but still on target for meeting program deadline
Managing Your Project It is your responsibility to: Actively manage this project Keep in communication with your committee Manage your electronic files well Be as clear as possible on your timeline and project description about what you will do and how This ensures that there are not misconceptions about what your project will include Meet program and timeline deadlines or communicate with your committee about the need for more time
Use Your Resources If you have difficulty with writing- plan to use the Writing Center before submitting drafts of your paper to your chairperson or committee Build this in to your timeline The program faculty representative on your committee can help you negotiate any issues that might arise with your project/ committee Keep this person involved in all communications Schedule meetings to discuss any issues
Summer 2014 Requirements Activities Date May 30, 2014 Activity Deadline for submission of project proposal (abstract, committee) for approval Summer Session - Required Activities June 27, 2014 July 25, 2014 Submit detailed project plan and timeline and monthly update for June Submit draft Introduction/ Background/ Literature Review section of report - and monthly update for July
Summer 2014 Suggested Goals Explore resources about survey development Develop lists of survey questions Prepare first draft of survey for review by your committee chair/ members Review IRB guidelines Become familiar with your Capstone Handbook