CLU Capstone Action Project (CAP)

"Your capstone project is an opportunity to demonstrate what you learn at CLU by addressing a real need in the real world." - Dr. Stan Ward

You will use action research to address a real world problem of your choosing.

What is Action Research?

• Carried out by practitioners, not professional researchers
• Emphasizes solving a problem in a specific context
• Combines theory and practice

Action research is "a disciplined process of inquiry conducted by and for those taking the action. The primary reason for engaging in action research is to assist the 'actor' in improving and/or refining his or her actions." - Institute for the Study of Inquiry in Education

"Action research is self-evaluation. If initiated by someone else but carried out by the practitioners or members, it is likely to be called 'participatory evaluation,' still with emphasis on what can be learned and improved by their studying themselves." - Robert Stake

Your CAP Will Have 6 Steps

• Identify the Problem
• Plan an Intervention
• Implement the Intervention
• Measure Effectiveness
• Reflect on Results and Repeat as Needed
• Write Your Capstone Paper

Identify the Problem

Identify the Problem

• Determine the topic and organization you wish to study.
• Conduct a needs analysis to determine the specific problem.
• Formulate a research question.

"Action research has as its goal to address a specific problem within a specific setting, such as a classroom, a workplace, a program, or an organization. This kind of research often involves the participants in the research process, thus blurring the distinction between action and research. Further, while some training in research is helpful, action research is often conducted by people in the 'real world' who are interested in practical solutions to problems and who are interested in social change" -Robert Stake

"A research question guides and centers your research. It should be clear and focused, as well as synthesize
multiple sources to present your unique argument." - Duke Writing Studio

Your question should be focused like a laser beam.

To focus your research question, try this formula: "Because I value _____, I want to study _____, so that I can improve/change _____, in order to help my stakeholders _____."

Example: Because I value leadership that helps people internalize core values, I want to study how managers can use transformational leadership during team meetings so that I can improve how managers plan and evaluate their meetings in order to help both managers and followers internalize core values.

Plan an Intervention

Plan Your Intervention

• How does the research literature answer your research question?
• Write a literature review to answer your question.
• Plan the process for addressing your problem.
• Plan how you will measure the effectiveness of your process.

"A literature review identifies what is already known about an area of study." - Harvard Graduate School of Education

Your Literature Review Should Answer

• What has been done in this area?
• Do you see any trends or shifts in your topic in recent years?
• What do the experts say about the best way to affect the kind of change you want to see?
• What methodologies and approaches were applied to explore your topic by others in the field?

Include how the CLU Core curriculum addresses your area of concern.

To write your review, paraphrase and summarize your sources, showing how those sources can be applied to the problem you want to solve.

Your project will build on your literature review and add to what is already known about your topic.

Intervention Example

• From the literature on transformational leadership and meetings, I created a meeting planner and scorecard.
• The scorecard allows managers to record their use of transformational leadership factors.
• I will measure participant awareness of transformational leadership before and after implementation.

Implement the Intervention

Implement the Intervention

• Carry out your action plan.
• Record your specific process.
• Record the results of your process.

Record the specific details of your work so others could repeat your process in their organizations.

Your final paper will include examples of the resources and processes you use in the appendices.

My Paper's Appendices Included:

• A copy of the meeting planner and scorecard.
• A copy of the survey managers used to evaluate the planner and scorecard's effectivness
• A copy of the interview questions used to follow up with team members.

Measure Effectiveness

Measure Effectiveness

• Apply the measurement criteria you developed during step two.
• Take note of what worked well and what did not.
• Consider alternative ways to address the problem.

Some Ways to Measure Effectivness

• Knowledge pre-test and post-test
• Opinion surveys from participants
• Journal entries from participants
• Evaluative feedback from other experts

Measurement Example

• Managers were asked to use the planner and scorecard for four weeks.
• Managers answered evaluative survey questions about the effectiveness of the scorecard.
• Employees were also interviewed about the new structure for meetings

Reflect on Results and Repeat as Needed

Action research and writing is not a linear process. It often goes in multiple cycles. You will be engaged in these cycles throughout your time at CLU.

Terms 1 - 3 Timeline

• Term one: Students will clarify their capstone topic.
• Term two: Students will collect resources to address their topic.
• Term three: Students will identify and connect with key stakeholders for the project.

Terms 4 - 5 Timeline

• Term four: Students will revise and complete their project plan, including research question, methods, and measurements.
• Term five: Students will carry out their plan and write their capstone paper.

Accountability

• All CLU students are enrolled in a capstone lab during the duration of their program.
• Students will work toward their capstone as part of their coursework.
• Students will post their progress in the capstone lab each term for feedback from Dr. Ward.

Write Up Your Results

Write Your Paper

• CLU provides a template for writing the 8,000 - 10,000 word paper during your final term.
• Papers will have four chapters: (1) Introduction, (2) Literature Review, (3) Methods and Results, and (4) Conclusions.
• Follow program style guidelines.

Questions or Concerns? Email Dr. Ward.

"Putting Wisdom to Work - for Good"

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