Nursing Capstone

The capstone requirement for the nursing degree is the final project, for the masters the thesis, and for the doctorate the dissertation. To help you complete this final requirement for your nursing degree, you will want to have the writers at Paper Masters assist you. We want to assist you in writing a paper of which you will be proud, a paper equal to that which you would write at a regionally accredited university in your own state.

When considering your nursing capstone topic, pick a broad subject related to your degree field that interests you and that you understand thoroughly. As a guide to how thoroughly you will need to know your topic, you should be able to speak on this subject for at least an hour. Probably the most beneficial way to do this is to select a topic that is congruent with your professional responsibilities.

Focus not only on the topic but also on your purpose for writing. Focusing on your paper's purpose also helps make the paper clearer and help determine the paper's format and style. Formulation of projects/theses/dissertations involves having a topic with available reference sources. Select a topic that has adequate reference sources. While your paper will appropriately contain many of your own original thoughts, it is still imperative to be able to reference other research work done on your topic and/or related topics. Furthermore, final projects, theses, and dissertations all require a "Review of Related Literature" chapter devoted to citing current research materials, sources, and resources which pertain to or are related to the topic of study. Finding out about the availability of reference sources will help you to select a subject and to refine the subject into a topic.

Both pure and applied research may be undertaken through a wide variety of methods. The four research methods briefly described below encompass most, but not all, of the major methodologies. However, you may choose a research method which falls somewhere between those described. Furthermore, there may be a research method, not described below, which is unique for your intended paper.

Format For a Nursing Capstone

Chapter 1:
An introduction which includes a statement of the problem, an overview of the study, the significance of the study [its purpose, importance and application(s)], how and why it is important. Define any terms not familiar to the reader which are part of the specialized language of the field. State the rationale and the scope of the study. Describe in detail what you wish to prove or demonstrate.

Chapter 2:
A review of related literature (i.e., past research and writings and their impact on the study). Research the writings of other authors who have explored a similar subject. All perspectives should be presented; include both positive and negative aspects. Provide a description of the sources to be used in your research.

Chapter 3:
The method your research design should be explained, and any special tools, surveys, statistical procedures, tests, comparisons, questionnaires or interviewing techniques used should be described. For example, if computers are used describe the type of computer, data storage and programs run.

Chapter 4:
The Data Analysis Section
Analyze your findings: the factors that could limit your data, where possible omissions/errors could occur and the reliability of your data.
Present an overview of your analysis.

Proceed with a specific analysis of all data required for the summary and conclusion (Chapter 5). Use graphs, tables, charts, figures and diagrams if necessary.

Present any significant findings, but do not generalize or describe conclusions drawn.

Be aware of the following evaluation criteria for Chapter 4:

• Use of impersonal style, (i.e., no use of first/second person pronouns such as I, me, you, etc.).
• Use of objective style, (i.e., exclusion of emotion and feeling, focus on that which is observable and factual).
• Interpretation of tables and/or graphs.
• Stand alone style of displays, (i.e., neither text nor graphic are interdependent).
• Quality of analysis and presentation, (i.e., ensure it is accurate, unbiased, exclusive of trivia, etc.).

Chapter 5:
Summary, Discussion, and Recommendations

State the results of your study.
Present any significant findings directly and precisely.
State conclusions drawn.

Do not generalize or interpret your results beyond that which the data supports and make recommendations accordingly.

Answer the following questions in the body of the text:

• Does the study support or reject your hypothesis?
• Does the study support or contradict previous research?
• Is the study conclusive or is further research needed?
• What are the implications of this research to the discipline?
• Should relative practices be redefined?
• Do your findings support or reject your hypothesis?