Capstone Project Proposal 1 Basic Elements of Project

Capstone Project Proposal 1

Basic Elements of Project Proposal n 1. Capstone topic n Title of your project n A working title n A subtitle (i. e. research question) n 2. A Client n 3. Issue Diagnosis n Statement of Problem (including a definition of the problem) n 4. Specific research question n 5. Objective of the project n A clear statement of purpose (“The purpose of this project is…”) 2

“There is nothing new under the sun” Ecclesiastes 1: 9 3

1. Choose A Project Topic n The choice of Capstone topic is deliberately left open to your imagination and available opportunities n You are responsible for identifying your topic n “What is a public policy or public administrative issue that you are interested in? ” n For quantitative analysis, not qualitative analysis n For evaluation, not forecasting n Your project topic should address a significant public administration, public policy, nonprofit issue or need, or a need/issue confronting an organization in the public administration, public policy, or nonprofit arena n Inappropriate topic: “What causes death? ” n Appropriate topic: “What is an effect of ACA on death rate? ” 4

1. Choose A Project Topic (cont. ) n First, to search current issues, you may go the following websites (examples): – The White House website for current issues: https: //www. whitehouse. gov/ – The New York Times, for daily news: http: //www. nytimes. com/ – USA. Gov. Channel: https: //www. youtube. com/user/USGovernment – PBS Frontline: http: //www. pbs. org/wgbh/pages/frontline/view/ – Bill Moyers: http: //billmoyers. com/ – Follow the Money: http: //beta. followthemoney. org/ 5

1. Choose A Project Topic (cont. ) n Second, write about – (1) “What is your policy area? ” § For example, “Environmental Policy” – (2) “What is your policy issue (i. e. specific topic or issue)? ” § For example, “global warming” – (3) An indication of its significance § “Why are the policy area and issue meaningful to you personally? ” § “Why are the policy area and issue you have chosen are important to our community or society? ” – (5) “Who would be potential main audiences (such as clients or readers) of your Capstone project paper or report? ” 6

2. Finding A Client (or Client Organization) n Once you identify your general topic, find a client (such as governments, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or interest groups in local**, state*, or federal level) n While you may choose a federal issue, I want you to choose an issue in our local community n The client search is similar to a job search n You may choose your current employer n You may use your Capstone as an opportunity to gain exposure to people and places where you might like to find a position post graduation 7

3. Issue Diagnosis: Statement of Problem n What are the issues or problems? In other words, what are the claims and evidence of harm (or opportunity)? n Identify the claims of harm or opportunity, and consider the magnitude of the problem n “What is the harm (or opportunity)? ” and “what is the magnitude of the harm (or opportunity)? ” n What is the evidence regarding causal claims? n Framing of an issue n Action may be taken often requires the development and justification of causal arguments n It is often difficult to identify causation, because your policy issue is a “wicked problem. ” If so, what manner did your policy issue involve a “wicked problem? ” 8

4. Research Question n Why is it so important to formulate a good research question? n The research question: n Sets the stage for the whole research paper n Determines the direction of the whole research paper n Determines the outcomes and quality of the paper n To make a good research question, you need to think about several criteria to evaluate whether you have a suitable query n Research questions should be “interesting, ” “important, ” “brief, ” and “doable. ” Also, start with one of the appropriate words, such as “What (especially “what is an effect of A on B? ), ” “Why, ” “How, ” “To what extent, ” or “Under what conditions, ” instead of starting with purely descriptive words n I want student to choose “what” question 9

4. Research Question (cont. ) Interesting: Research questions should make readers want to read your research paper or consulting report n Important: Research questions should be useful to you (at least), scholars, public sector managers, policymakers, politicians, citizen, and your clients (including your current or potential bosses) n Brief: Research questions should be short, direct, and clear n Doable: Research should think of time and data constraints in the beginning stage of research n Starting with appropriate words: Research questions should be “questions” n “What (especially “what is an effect of A on B? )” n 10

5. Objective of the Project n Primary objective of the project n A clear statement of purpose (“The purpose of this project is…”) n “Problem solving” or “amplify opportunities” n Direct and/or indirect (potential) benefits of the project 11

For next In-Class session – Capstone Project Proposal presentation (5: 30 -6: 45) § Bring/turn in one page hard copy of capstone project proposal – Style and format: About 700 -800 words (about one or two pages), single-spaced, Times New Roman font, 11 point font, one inch margins, and page numbers § Prepare “Capstone Project Proposal” presentation slide (i. e. Power. Point slide): No more than 5 slides 12