RESEARCH CAPSTONE
Page 1 of 8
WHAT IS A CAPSTONE?
Capstone is a self-contained research study carried out by
a student to identify the volume and depth of theoretical
knowledge gained during training and evaluate the ability
to apply it to practical problems.
The paper deals with a specific scientific question that is
new and relevant in terms of the current state of research.
It has theoretical significance and practical value.
Capstone. The term derives from the final decorative
coping or “cap-stone” used to complete a building or
monument.
The project aims to deepen and consolidate the theoretical
knowledge and practical skills acquired. To develop the
ability to study scientific literature, select and analyze
factual material, make generalizations and conclusions.
This is the final stage, a test of the ability to creatively
apply the knowledge obtained and defend the theoretical
statements formulated based on the results of scientific
observation and research.
WHAT IS CAPSTONE PROJECT/RESEARCH?
The project should be based on specific factual material
collected, understood, and properly designed by the
student. The preparation and execution of a capstone
project consisting of several steps:
choice of research direction;
determining the topic of work;
processing the actual material;
analysis of scientific literature in the course of research;
making a plan for writing the work;
setting out the results of your study;
design of the text of the project and obtaining feedback
from the manager;
fine-tuning the job after the review and preparing its
final version.
While carrying out the project, the student should
independently process scientific literature, study the
materials of scientific publications.
Page 2 of 8
Reflect on different points of view and approaches to the
problem under study, argue his position. Identify areas of
the practical application of the results obtained in the
course of the project, which will enrich the theoretical
knowledge and practical skills of the student and expand
his professional horizons.
The choice of a topic is critical; half the success in
defending it depends on how attractive the problem is for
you. Finding material on a topic that interests you is much
easier than unattractive questions to study. If an item is of
interest to you, you can always answer your supervisor’s
questions without further research.
Capstone project meaning is an academic research study
of a student, carried out in the final phase of education.
Performing the project within the curriculum is the highest
level of student research, encouraging future professionals
to search for creatively.
Capstone helps a student show case the theoretical
knowledge of the discipline, collect data, analyze, and
think creatively.
Performing the capstone should enhance the course and
provide skills in practical problem-solving. This requires
knowledge of general and specialized literature on the topic
and the ability to conduct research, linking theory to
practice.
Regardless of the specific subject matter, each project
has the following components:
The title page is the first page of the project.
A summary is a summary of the paper’s content, research
methods, and solutions to the problem. The volume of the
review is 1-1,5 pages.
The content is placed on the new page. The sections of the
paper should be sequentially numbered. Subdivisions are
sequentially numbered according to the article. All
structural elements are given: tasks, summary,
introduction, main sections, conclusions, literature,
applications.
Page 3 of 8
The introduction gives a general description of the
research performed and has individual aspects to
highlight.
After the main text of the work from the new page,
conclusions are presented, which are the logical
conclusion. The conclusions summarize the results by the
set tasks, express and substantiate the student’s viewpoint
on the studied problem.
The list of literature is placed after conclusions from a new
page. The bibliography should contain the list of literary
sources to which the reference is made in the project. The
list is drawn up in alphabetical order.
The annexes contain supporting, but informative material
that could destroy the logical presentation of the article is
included in the main text. A large volume characterizes
appendices. The content consists of tables, illustrative
material, versions of a supporting character.
Best Capstone Engineering Project Ideas
1.Transmitting and Storing Geological Data
2.Making a Self-Balancing Robot
3.A Robotic Arm
4.Water Heater Fueled by Biomass
5.Uphill Wheelchairs
6.Playground for Children with Disabilities
7.Stair Climbing Wheelchair
8.Remote Controlled Car
9.Motorized Chain Mechanism
10. Air and Sound Pollution Monitoring System
11. The Future of Self-Driving Cars
12. How Environment-Friendly are Electric Vehicles?
13. How A Solar Panel Works
Page 4 of 8
14. Designing a Car Engine
15. Engineering Advancements in the Agriculture Sector
What a Table of Contents Could Contain
I. Introduction
A. Statement Of Problem/Opportunity (Research Question)
B. Background, Context, And Significance Of Study
C. Project Researcher Identification
II. Literature Review
A. Subheadings (Themes Discovered In Review)
B. Notice Of Gaps In Knowledge
III. Methods
A. Subjects/Participants
B. Data Collection Approaches/Strategies
1. Advantage Of Strategy
2. Limitation Of Strategy
3. Potential Risk
4. Ethical Issues About Collection Upon The
Subjects/Participants
C. Data Analysis Approaches And/Or Software (NOT The
Results Themselves, Just How You Are Going To Analyze
The Data – Coding Method, Analysis Of
Interviews/Recordings, Mathematics And Stats Analysis)
IV. Results, Findings, Interpretation, And Discussion
V. Recommendations, Application, And Conclusion
VI. Reference Pages
What Goes into Each Section?
I. INTRODUCTION
- The Introduction is not a summary of the paper. You do
not discuss the outcomes of your work here.
- This is entirely about introduction of the context, intro
the problem, the methods used, and a brief, 2-line,
introduction of yourself in relationship to the problem.
Page 5 of 8
- While you discuss the problem tell the reader the major
question. What assumptions have been made? Tell what
limitation have been placed on the problem; you cannot
solve all related problems, just the one.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
- The literature review is the summary of the findings.
This is not where you state what you got from them or
how they relate to problem. Here you note the themes of
the articles and their common conclusions, NOT your
conclusion.
- This is not a statement about a partial solution, but a
summary of information about your problem.
- This is a fact-based section of the paper. You aren’t
writing out the solution to the problem here; that comes
later.
- Also, you note if there is a gap in knowledge – what is
not covered in these articles. You are being critical of the
literature. It answered this and this, but no one has
research or thought of this…
- Include quotes if they are helpful. As a general idea,
quotes should only be used when the other person
stated it so well that your paraphrase doesn’t capture
enough of their idea.
- Most ideas can be paraphrased easily. Quotations are
used because the language, the expression of the idea, is
so much better than you could paraphrase.
III. METHODS
- Methods is not where you tell us what you discovered.
This is an analysis of the process (strengths and
weakness of the process). DO NOT give the results of any
of your research here.
- Discuss all aspects of data collection – who, what, when,
where, and HOW. “How” is a big issue.
Page 6 of 8
- Discuss why you choose one form of data collection over
another. What were the strengths and weaknesses of one
format over another?
- Discuss any ethical issues about the collection of data,
the questions themselves, any sort of ethical issues
involved.
- You must also discuss the methods of analysis. Go into
detail about how you coded interviews and how you did
the statistics. You must describe this.
- It is not just drawing conclusions based on
interpretation of a comment, but how did you go about
reaching the conclusion. You must analyze your
methods.
- You are NOT telling us what you discovered in method
section.
IV. RESULTS, FINDINGS, INTERPRETATION AND
DISCUSSION
- In this section of the paper, you will tell the readers the
results of your research, what did the data say. Here you
lay out the statistics and their interpretation.
- This is not the conclusion (how the research relates to
your problem), but what does the research say.
- If needed, include a graph with your interpretation.
Graphs, charts, and survey results are appendices.
- Interpret the data –not just the raw numbers, but
themes that come up from the numbers. Are there
multiple interpretations possible? Multiple ideas/themes
present?
- As part of the interpretation, spend time with how the
method/format of research produced these results.
V. RECOMMENDATIONS, CONCLUSIONS, AND
APPLICATIONS
- Here is where all the conclusions are stated. Here you
state the conclusions from the lit review. Here you
Page 7 of 8
describe the conclusions drawn from your surveys and
interviews.
- In this section you connect the results of your research
to your initial problem. Now you tell us how it all relates
AND how to move forward.
- Here you state recommendations for future application
from your research. In other words, now what will you
do with your problem.
- If done properly, this conclusion is driven entirely from
the research you did, both lit review and other data
collection.
- This application points to what you are going to do/are
doing now that you know WHAT to do.
General format:
Margins: 1.5 in (3.81 cm) left, 1 in (2.54 cm) top, bottom, right
Font size: 12
Font style: Times New Roman
Line Spacing: 2
Page number: Top right
Titles: Bold face
Alignment: Justify
Note: Examples of capstone project/ research will be
sent/posted on the google classroom.
References:
PapersOwl. The Best 150 Capstone Project Topic Ideas. Sept. 20,
2021.Retrieved from: https://papersowl.com/blog/best-capstone-
project-topic-ideas (November 25, 2021)
Capstone Writing. What Is A Capstone Project At School, College Or
University. Retrieved from https://capstonewriting.com/blog/what-
is-capstone-project-definition/ (November 25, 2021)
Life Pacific Universiity. CAPSTONE PROJECT: Parts of a Capstone
Project. Retrieved from: https://lifepacific.libguides.com/capstone
(November 25, 2021)
Page 8 of 8
