CAPSTONE RESEARCH PAPER IN APA FORMAT

INTRODUCTION TO THE CAPSTONE PROJECT & APA FORMAT WRITING

Objective: The learner will be able to
1. Write in APA  format 7th Edition
2. Complete a Career Description Paper for their Capstone Project Portfolio.
We will begin and finish the process of Capstone this year. Next year you will be busy with college applications, scholarships, internships and you will be short on time. Therefore, follow my instructions and you will actually learn and enjoy the process of writing the research paper.

Use Capstone Guide Website as reference

Career Description
1. Use the hand-out provided as an outline for the career description paper. Remember to use APA format.
2. Log into the Occupational Outlook Handbook for the information on your selected career as covered in class.
3. Make sure you have at least 3 sources for your paper and listed on the reference page.

Capstone Research Paper
1.Select your topic: I attached a list of topics (problem in the medical field) to provide you with a starting point in the post for the first day of school (at the bottom). If you already decided on a topic, it is perfectly fine. You have done your homework.

2. Develop a thesis:You may start developing your thesis once you have a topic (problem) and you have researched it to state possible solutions.

3. Create an outline with 4-5 sections. Each section should have 3 sub-sections (You are writing a 5 page paper minimum). Pay attention in class as I instruct you on ways of easing the creation of the outline. This is an important step that will allow ease in the research of the topic.

4. Start EMPIRICAL research: Access a variety of databases and search for empirical articles that pertain to your topic. You will use a minimum of 10. Don't give me an attitude!! You are preparing for college.

ONCE YOU HAVE A LIBRARY CARD

1.  Go to: www.mdpls.org

       2.   Log in using the barcode on the back of your card and your pin

      3. Click on LEARNING & TRAINING

4. You now have access to thousands of journals, ebooks, encyclopedias, forms, etc., FOR FREE...
5.  Save the articles you like on a folder for later access.
6. Read each article and highlight the important facts you may use for the different sections of your outline.
7. Sometimes the thesis needs changes after you research the topic.
8. Begin writing the paper using APA format. Select the appropriate article that corresponds to the sections of the outline. Start paraphrasing and citing the highlighted facts that relate, motivate and inform the reader of the research you are conducting. The paper should have a flow based on your outline. This is your first draft of the paper.
9. Save your work on your jump drive and computer just in case one crashes or gets lost.
THIS YEAR YOU WILL DO YOUR PAPER IN APA FORMAT, HOWEVER, BELOW IS THE MANUAL FOR YOU TO USE AS A GUIDE UNTIL THE NEW MANUAL IS READY. I WILL GIVE YOU THE INSTRUCTIONS ON APA FORMAT 7th EDITION.

Senior Capstone Manual for Research