Monday, April 23, 2012
What is a Graduate Capstone Project?
We have all heard of the Master's thesis, and Doctoral dissertation, but just what is a Graduate Capstone Project? While completing my master's degree at Embry-Riddle, I often wondered the same thing. In order to relate to people what I was working on, I commonly told people that I was working on my thesis, however this is not all together accurate.
According to Merriam-Webster, the thesis in a scholastic setting is defined as such:
2a: a position or proposition that a person (as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers to maintain by argument
2b: a proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof
4: a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view; especially: one written by a candidate for an academic degree
While these definitions are close to what a graduate capstone project is, they do not quite hit the mark. In the world of business degrees, it is increasingly important to demonstrate what one has learned throughout the course of study. This is demonstrated through the in-depth research of a particular subject, and then the writing of an extended paper about the subject.
In the case of my capstone project the research is required to lead to the formulation of hypotheses based on said research, and then the test of those hypotheses using quantitative analysis through further research and the statistical examination of data. Opinion is confined to the final segment of the paper.
The following description was given to me by one of the professors that worked with me on my study: "The capstone project is necessary for you to demonstrate your research capabilities in a business or management related field; your ability to draw hypotheses based on your research; and finally to test those hypotheses using sound quantitative methodology using meaningful data. The sections of your conclusions and recommendations are there for you to make a meaningful contribution to the results of your study and to recommend future research or actions in the case that you have researched."
So the capstone project does not quite meet the definitions set out for a thesis. It differs from it in that opinions and propositions are not advanced without proof. To do so would garner a failing grade. From a quick perusal of master's degree catalogs of business schools, it seems that they all are requiring this sort of project in their master of science in management candidates.
Here is a brief rundown of how my project took shape:
-Brainstorm on possible topic ideas
-First idea was shot down by the request for information from the organization I proposed to study
-Second idea was accepted by the professors and my board was formed
-Research
-Submit start of research section
-Form hypotheses and proper quantitative methodology based on research and submit full proposal
-Proposal accepted by board
-Complete research
-Perform statistical testing of data
-Submit test results to statistics professor to ensure there are no errors
-Write analysis, discussion, recommendations, and conclusions
-Submit and resubmit until subject matter expert professor is satisfied
-Submit to board for acceptance
-Receive a pass or fail grade, no letter grade is assigned
I received a passing grade. My project went through 15 revisions throughout the course of this. Along the way professors with a Doctorate or PhD in the following ensured my project was accurate and factual: statistics, business, English. In total five professors reviewed my work.
Hopefully, this answers some questions as to what exactly a capstone project entails.
According to Merriam-Webster, the thesis in a scholastic setting is defined as such:
2a: a position or proposition that a person (as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers to maintain by argument
2b: a proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof
4: a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view; especially: one written by a candidate for an academic degree
While these definitions are close to what a graduate capstone project is, they do not quite hit the mark. In the world of business degrees, it is increasingly important to demonstrate what one has learned throughout the course of study. This is demonstrated through the in-depth research of a particular subject, and then the writing of an extended paper about the subject.
In the case of my capstone project the research is required to lead to the formulation of hypotheses based on said research, and then the test of those hypotheses using quantitative analysis through further research and the statistical examination of data. Opinion is confined to the final segment of the paper.
The following description was given to me by one of the professors that worked with me on my study: "The capstone project is necessary for you to demonstrate your research capabilities in a business or management related field; your ability to draw hypotheses based on your research; and finally to test those hypotheses using sound quantitative methodology using meaningful data. The sections of your conclusions and recommendations are there for you to make a meaningful contribution to the results of your study and to recommend future research or actions in the case that you have researched."
So the capstone project does not quite meet the definitions set out for a thesis. It differs from it in that opinions and propositions are not advanced without proof. To do so would garner a failing grade. From a quick perusal of master's degree catalogs of business schools, it seems that they all are requiring this sort of project in their master of science in management candidates.
Here is a brief rundown of how my project took shape:
-Brainstorm on possible topic ideas
-First idea was shot down by the request for information from the organization I proposed to study
-Second idea was accepted by the professors and my board was formed
-Research
-Submit start of research section
-Form hypotheses and proper quantitative methodology based on research and submit full proposal
-Proposal accepted by board
-Complete research
-Perform statistical testing of data
-Submit test results to statistics professor to ensure there are no errors
-Write analysis, discussion, recommendations, and conclusions
-Submit and resubmit until subject matter expert professor is satisfied
-Submit to board for acceptance
-Receive a pass or fail grade, no letter grade is assigned
I received a passing grade. My project went through 15 revisions throughout the course of this. Along the way professors with a Doctorate or PhD in the following ensured my project was accurate and factual: statistics, business, English. In total five professors reviewed my work.
Hopefully, this answers some questions as to what exactly a capstone project entails.
About this Blog
I started this blog as a way to publicize my work on my Graduate Capstone Project, which was completed to fulfill the requirements of a Master’s of
Science in Management degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the
world’s leading aviation institute.
My study is an unbiased, research and quantitative analysis of the
possible economic effects of commercializing a general aviation airport, namely
Briscoe Field, in Gwinnett County, GA. The study used statistical modeling to
determine the possible direct, indirect, and multiplier revenue effects,
employment effects, and property value effects that a regional style, community,
commercial airport would have.
Due to the myriad of facts and studies being presented by both sides of the issue at stake, I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to research the issues independently in order to shape my own educated opinion on this matter.
Further blog postings will discuss additional methodology and findings that I have completed in research that is related to, but not covered in detail by my project. Feel free to comment, or post constructive criticism or relevant educated discussion concerning my project and the topic at hand. Please note that I am interested only in an open, honest, and mature debate about this topic. Offensive posts will be ignored or deleted. I am happy to answer any questions that I can concerning this topic and my research.
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