Reference no: EM133917053

Research - CAPSTONE PROJECT

Literature review

Part 1 - Capstone Project Proposal

I. Overview
The Capstone Project begins with a Project Proposal. Students will develop a project that aligns with their academic strengths, professional background, or career goals while offering real-world impact. A discussion with the mentor is required when submitting the proposal in Week 3.

1. Project Options
Students may pursue any of these approaches in consultation with their mentor:
Industry Partnership
Collaborate with an external client on a business challenge
Leverage work placement connections or professional networks
Campus Innovation
Work with campus-based or system-wide Capstone teams
Engage in industry-focused initiatives
Entrepreneurial Development
Partner with businesses or entrepreneurs
Create comprehensive plans for new products or ventures
Cross-Disciplinary Research
Undertake projects spanning multiple disciplines
Work with faculty coordinators across departments
Faculty Collaboration
Design and execute projects with academic mentors
Pursue mutual research interests

2 Project Requirements
2.1 Team Structure
Group size: 4-5 students
Individual components will be marked separately
2.2 Deliverables
Written Report
Word limit: 2,000-2,500 words (excluding references)
Must demonstrate thorough research and professional analysis
Submission and discussion with the supervisor:
Scheduled for Week 3 of the concurrent semester
Each team member must actively participate
3. Assessment Criteria of the project proposal: See rubrics

4. Important Notes
All team members must contribute substantially to both the written proposal and presentation
The final grade combines assessment of both written and presentation components Get expert-level assignment help in any subject.
Professional standards are expected in both documentation and presentation
Regular consultation with project supervisors is recommended

II. Guidelines for the Project Proposal
The proposal is a written portion of the capstone project that "proposes" what is to be done to complete the project. It should contain the following sections:
1. Cover Page
Project Title
Team Member(s) and Degree(s) (i.e., BSc of Accounting)
Capstone Project Advisor
Client/Sponsored Affiliations ( if applicable)
2. Executive Summary
The purpose of an executive summary is to include significant information that allows the reader to gain the essence of the entire proposal in succinct manner.
3. Project Description and Impact
3.1 Problem Statement & Context
3.1.1 Core Elements
Clearly articulate the specific business problem, challenge, or opportunity
Outline current conditions leading to this situation
Provide concrete evidence through relevant statistics and industry data
Define achievable objectives and expected outcomes
Key Questions to Address
Problem Analysis
What is the central issue affecting the organization/industry?
What conditions or factors contributed to this situation?
What evidence supports the existence of this problem?
Stakeholder Impact
Who are the primary stakeholders affected?
How does this problem impact different stakeholder groups?
What are the potential consequences if not addressed?
3.2. Project Scope & Objectives
3.2.1 Theoretical Framework
Demonstrate understanding of academic literature
Identify knowledge gaps this project will address
3.2.2 Market Analysis
Research motivations
Industry trends and competitive landscape
Target market characteristics
Key market drivers and challenges
3.2.3 Project Parameters
Clear definition of project boundaries
Realistic timeline with key milestones
Specific, measurable objectives
Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
3.3. Project Significance
3.3.1 Academic Value
Connection to previous coursework
Application of theoretical knowledge
Development of professional skills
3.3.2 Business Impact
Expected organizational benefits
Industry implications
Innovation potential
3.3.3 Social Contribution
Broader societal benefits
Sustainability considerations
Ethical implications

4. Project Methodology Framework
4.1. Research Approach: Select and Justify Method
Choose: Qualitative, Quantitative, or Mixed Methods
Explain why this approach best suits your project
Link method to project objectives
4.2 Data Collection Plan (specify if you will use primary data of secondary data)
4.2.1 Primary Research Options
Surveys
Target audience and sample size
Distribution method
Question design approach
Interviews
Participant selection criteria
Interview format
Recording methods
Focus Groups
Group composition
Discussion topics
Facilitation plan
4.2.2 Secondary Research
Database selection
Document analysis approach
Quality criteria for sources
4. 3. Data Analysis Strategy
Analysis methods
Tools and software
Expected outputs
Tips for Success
Align methods with objectives
Consider resource constraints
Plan for contingencies
Document all procedures
Include pilot testing
Remember: Each method choice should directly support your research goals and be feasible within your project constraints.
5. Project Deliverables
Provide a clear and concise description of the specific outputs and deliverables anticipated at the conclusion of the capstone project. These should represent tangible, measurable, and achievable results aligned with the project's objectives. Students should specify their deliverables, considering that the final product will vary based on the nature of the project. Possible deliverables may include, but are not limited to:
A comprehensive report
A detailed business plan
A functional model or framework
A working prototype
An academic or professional article suitable for publication
A professionally edited video or documentary
Etc.
Students are encouraged to select deliverables that best showcase their work while meeting the requirements of their specific project scope.
6. Project Implementation
6.1 Timeline & Resources
Detailed project schedule
Required resources and constraints
Key dependencies and critical paths
6.2 Required Documentation
Research Support
Cite relevant academic studies
Include industry statistics
Reference market research data
Preliminary Reference List
Academic journal articles
Industry reports
Market analyses
Professional publications
6.3 Format Requirements
All claims must be supported by credible sources
Use current data and research (within last 5 years when possible)
Follow proper citation format
Include comprehensive reference list
Tips for Success
Be specific and quantitative where possible
Use clear, professional language
Ensure objectives are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
Demonstrate thorough research and analysis
Show clear connection between problem and proposed solution
7. References
List all the relevant references of relevant studies, statistics, information, and individuals consulted in the preparation of the project proposal.

Writing Style Guidelines
Write in a top-down style
It is essential to start off with presenting the high-level issues, then expand them. This applies to the overall organization of your project proposal as well as the organization of sub-sections and individual paragraphs.
Conclude each paragraph, section and the entire proposal
Each chunk of your proposal whether it be a paragraph, a sub-section, a section, or the entire report should have a conclusion. For example, each paragraph should be written as follow:
1st sentence(s): the main idea of paragraph
middle sentences: expansion of the idea (further explanation or elaboration of the topic)
concluding sentence(s)
Each section of your project proposal should be organized as; high-level important points first, details second, summarize high-level points last.
Use active 3rd person
We present, we show, we demonstrate...
Define terms, and always define them before using them
Use figures
Use diagrams to help explain system design, and graphs or tables for presenting results. You should have a figure showing the high-level design of your implementation. Get expert-level assignment help in any subject.
Basics of the Project Proposal
Title page
Table of contents
The Table of Contents must indicate the headings in the project as well as the page numbers. The Table of Contents must also be on a separate page.

Basic formatting guidelines for the project
Use numbered headings and paragraphs. This will make referrals easier and will make references to the Table of Contents easier.
Check the spelling and sentence structure [grammatical errors].
The project proposal should be typed at 1½ line spacing. The Font size should be 12. You should use Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial Font.
Use only black or dark blue font color.
Page layout should be portrait.
Left justify paragraphs except for cover page.
Signal a new paragraph by either indenting the first line of a new paragraph or spacing between paragraphs.
Number all pages.
Figures and tables are encouraged, but all figures and tables should be numbered and captioned.
Captions for figures and tables should fit on one line.
All tables and figures must fit on one page. If an important table or figure is longer than one page should be included as an appendix to the report.
Follow consistent indention of headings and following text throughout the proposal
You must quote and include your references. Also include a list of references at the back of your project. This is very important.
CAPS and BOLD for the main headings.
BOLD for the subheadings.
BOLD and Italics for the sub-subheadings.
Do not split headings and following text between pages.

Part 2 - Literature review (weight:20%- Due: Week 6)
I. Overview
This research report requires each team member to take ownership of a specific component, demonstrating both individual expertise and contribution to the collective research project.
Format: group submission within group research context
Individual Responsibilities:
Each student will:
Take ownership of one major section of the literature review
Conduct independent research on their assigned component
Ensure their contribution integrates with the overall group research focus

II. Literature Review Guidelines
Overview
The literature review is a critical component of Research 1 in your capstone project. It demonstrates your understanding of relevant theories, business applications, and existing research related to your chosen business problem. This document outlines the requirements and best practices for creating an effective literature review.
Report Specifications
Word Count: 2,500-3,500 words (excluding references)
Format: HCT report format with APA citations
Group Work: One submission per group, with clearly divided responsibilities
Sources: Academic journals, books, HCT library databases, and reputable internet publications
Team Organization and Responsibilities
Work Distribution
Divide the literature review by research objectives
Each team member takes primary responsibility for one objective
All members must participate in peer review
Document individual contributions in the table of contents
Example Structure (4-Person Team):
1.0 Introduction
2.0 [Objective 1] - [Topic] by [Student Name]
3.0 [Objective 2] - [Topic] by [Student Name]
4.0 [Objective 3] - [Topic] by [Student Name]
5.0 [Objective 4] - [Topic] by [Student Name]
6.0 Conclusion
Writing the Literature Review
Structure
Introduction
Present the research topic and context
State the research problem
Outline the objectives
Preview the main themes
Body
Organize by research objectives
Present themes within each objective
Synthesize multiple sources
Compare and contrast different viewpoints
Link findings to your research problem
Conclusion
Summarize key findings
Identify gaps in existing research
Connect to your research objectives
Indicate implications for your study
Writing Best Practices
Paragraph Structure
Begin with a topic sentence
Present evidence from sources
Analyze and synthesize information
End with a transition to the next topic
Source Integration
Use proper APA citations
Balance paraphrasing and direct quotes
Synthesize multiple sources within paragraphs
Maintain a scholarly tone
Critical Analysis
Compare different perspectives
Identify methodological strengths and weaknesses
Note gaps in current research
Connect findings to your objectives
Submission Requirements
Submit one consolidated report per group
Submit to SafeAssign through Blackboard
Ensure proper formatting and citations
Include a detailed table of contents with clear author attribution
Quality Checklist
Meets word count requirements
Follows HCT report format
Uses APA citations correctly
Includes all required sections
Shows evidence of peer review
Demonstrates balanced contribution from all members
Synthesizes multiple sources effectively
Aligns with research objectives
Contains proper introduction and conclusion
Remember that your literature review should demonstrate both breadth and depth of knowledge while maintaining clear relevance to your research objectives. Focus on creating a coherent narrative that builds understanding of your research topic through careful analysis and synthesis of existing literature.
Note: AI Tool Usage Policy
Acceptable Use: Students may use AI tools only for:
Grammar and language refinement
Sentence structure improvement
Academic tone enhancement
Citation formatting checks
Proofreading assistance
Not Permitted:
Content generation
Literature analysis
Source synthesis
Research compilation
Drawing conclusions
Requirements:
All AI usage must be documented in appendix
Original thinking and analysis must be student's own work
AI tools should only enhance writing mechanics, not generate content
Students must review and verify all AI suggestions before use
Violation of these guidelines constitutes academic misconduct. If in doubt, consult your instructor.