capstone proposal – 2500 Words 1. Introduction I.1 Background – Explanation / definition of specific terms – Brief introduction on the subject: the most important studies or theoretical models should be presented briefly – Statements should be supported by tangible evidence I.2 Rationale for the study – Answer to Question (s): Why is your study necessary? Interesting? Important? -LITERATURE GAP! I.3 Objective and Objectives -3-4 goals – Transparent – relevant – coherent – evaluative – achievable – Use keywords: identify, contrast, compare, evaluate, analyze, etc., apply, … Critical approach – Keep in mind that primary data should be collected for all purposes – This leads to a requirement to review the literature for all objectives 2. Review of the literature – Clear structure required – It must be obvious to the reader what literary positions belong to which objective (s) – Critical review of previous studies – seek arguments pro and against the models and the theories presented – Synthesis of the literature and a conceptual model 3. Methodology For all chosen methods / approaches: -Present the alternatives (definitions, advantages, weaknesses, etc.) -Explain / justify your choice (s): why did you choose one method and not the other -Method (s) of collection of data -Population, Sample, Sampling Procedure -What is the potential population for your study? -Determinable sampling frame? -If yes, random sampling is possible -Otherwise, non-probabilistic sampling should be applied -What sampling method is chosen? -How will participants be selected / contacted? -Data collection techniques (questionnaires / interviews) -Data analysis -Which methods will be applied? -Which steps will be taken: for example, coding, tabulation, etc.
