Capstone Project Instructions for Entry-Level Bachelor of Science Degrees

A major component of your ePortfolio will be the creation and completion of a Capstone project. A Capstone project is a culmination of your learning and should pursue a pre-determined topic in your program's study (see list below). The Capstone project is comprised of research, problem-solving, and the presentation information and skills you acquired throughout the program in a formal setting.

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The project's goals are to Review, Research, Present, and Reflect

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Note: Please read this webpage very carefully. You can reach out to your program director or portfolio instructor anytime you need assistance or have a question.

 

Your project is comprised of 4 main elements:

1. A problem, issue, or gap in service selected from below and supported by research.

2. A meta-analysis, research, or proposed resolution to the problem developed by you and supported by research.

3. The presentation of your research at a professional conference or formal event.

4. A reflection on the project that discusses your experience with the project, what you would change, and why. Each idea is supported by research.

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Note: The first two elements are supported by research and thus comprise the basis for your literature review.

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To select your topic: Review the list under your program below.

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Note: Capstone projects can be complementary to service-learning, emphasis projects, course projects in progress, or professional projects. Meaning, you can use your service-learning project as an implementation mechanism for your Capstone project.

 

Note: any projects relating to human subject research (i.e. surveys at work or in class) require IRB approval. Although we encourage research at this level, it is not required. Please work with your program director on the potential for human subject research.

 

Capstone Project Elements

 

Overview

Your Capstone project is comprised of the following elements: identification of the problem, identification of a meta-analysis or resolution, completion of the problem and solution-based research (literature review), building and delivery of a formal presentation, and a reflection of the project. All elements will be presented as a paper to be turned in with your ePortfolio submitted to your Senior Portfolio II Course.

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Details

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The paper will be in APA format, 15-20 pages, with a minimum of 10 resources, and include the following components:

 

I - Identify the Problem and Potential Resolution/Intervention (Proposal) 1-2 pages

 

Part of AHCJ 493 Senior Portfolio I

 

Selection of topic, identification of the problem, and the hypothesis of the solution. This should be a 1-2 page proposal that will evolve into the first section of your Capstone project. The Proposal should include the following items:

• A brief overview of the problem (topic/idea)

• The program learning outcome (theme) the topic/idea relates to

• Your option to analyze or conduct research on the problem (topic/idea)

• Potential location for your presentation (i.e. ACERT)

• A list of preliminary research (attached as an appendix or reference page)

 

You can also include, although not required, theoretical frameworks, methodologies, or other research elements. The more detail, the better. A good way to think of your proposal is to think about what you would need to tell someone in order for them to fund your project. What is relevant to your idea?

 

Once the proposal is written, it will be submitted during the Senior Portfolio I Course for review by the Portfolio Instructor. The proposal will be then be sent to the Program Director for approval. Feedback and recommendations will be sent back to the student prior to the completion of the Portfolio I Course.

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Note: It is recommended to set up a meeting with your program director to plan your project prior to proposal submission. It is your responsibility to reach out to the Program Director for a meeting

 

II - Problem-Based Research (Literature Review) 8-10 pages

 

Part of RTCH 387 Writing for Healthcare Professionals

 

Upon the approval of your initial proposal, construct an 8–10-page literature review (not including your title page, abstract, or reference pages) discussing BOTH your problem AND the potential resolution to that problem. The literature review will be part of your Writing for Healthcare Professionals course as an independent assignment. It will then be integrated into your overall Capstone project paper for Senior Portfolio II for a final grade.

 

In this step of the process, students are required to locate and use at least ten external peer-reviewed sources (referenced scholarly journals) in the process of finding solutions to their problems. The Writing for Healthcare Professionals course will include lessons that instruct you on how to use the LLU library databases as a resource. These databases are highly recommended to be used for your primary research point because they are assured to be scholarly and are vetted by our library staff.  In addition to the database, the library staff is an excellent resource for getting assistance in scholarly writing and research. https://library.llu.edu/

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The literature review should include:

• A statement of the problem

• Synthesized research supporting the problem statement (why is the problem a problem?)

• Supporting research ancillary or relevant to the project (i.e. demographic information, definitions of new terms, theories you wish to use, principles introduced from your learning)

• A statement of your intended analysis or research (can be a draft to start)

• Supporting research supporting the solution

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For example, Technologists do not get enough sleep. Research shows .... This is most prevalent in ... It is suggested that training on proper health and sleep be provided. Research shows..... 

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EndNote: It is highly recommended that you use EndNote for your project (and other projects). EndNote is an excellent tool to categorize and easily create citations/reference lists in APA format. It is free to all LLU students while they attend LLU. See the program Canvas page for details on accessing EndNote at no cost.

 

III -  Dissemination Plan (Where will I present my project) 2-3 pages

 

Part of RTCH 387 Writing for Healthcare Professionals

 

After completing the literature review assignment, the focus becomes where you would like to present your project.

Your goal will be to present your project and findings at a professional conference such as ACERT, RSNA, Sponsered LLU events, etc.

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• Who do you need to involve in your project for a successful presentation?

• What supplies or resources will you need to carry out your project?

• Where do you plan to present your project?

• What is the timeline for your project and when do you plan for it to be completed?

• Why is your project important?

• How do you think your project will make a difference?

• What obstacles do you see that might prevent you from presenting your project?

• How do you plan to overcome those obstacles?

 

Your plan should be informed by the literature review and appropriate resources. It is important to clarify quantitative versus qualitative measurement, and that your measurements are truly objective and verifiable/measurable to appropriately track solution effectiveness.

 

 

IRB approval may be necessary. For additional information pertaining to this process, please contact your Program Director.

 

IRB: https://researchaffairs.llu.edu/responsible-research/human-studies/irb-toolkit

 

This is your “Implementation and Measurement Plan” assignment due the final week of the Writing for Healthcare Professionals course.

 

IV - Presentation (Putting into Action) Journal

 

Part of RTCH 489 - Effective Communication for Supervisors

For BSRTT students: Part of RTTH 354 Quality Assurance

 

Each student will work with their program director to present their project according to their plan. While this is not a paper per se, keeping track of activities, accomplishments, and setbacks is an important step towards building the final reflection element (Part V). You will be required to keep a journal or diary of the implementation. This should be in a digital format, preferably an MS Word Doc. This will be the “Implementation Journal” assignment in your RTCH 489 Effective Communication for Supervisors course.

 

V - Project Reflection (How did I do and what would I do differently?) 3-5 pages

 

Part of AHCJ 494 - Senior Portfolio II

 

Structured reflection is a way to maximize learning and process experiences. Reflective thinking is key to making an educative experience into personal knowledge and mastery. The following questions should be included in your reflection:

• Did your project succeed or fail and why (both are okay)?

• What did you learn about yourself while working on this problem/solution, and how can you apply it beyond the program?

• What was the most difficult part of the process?

• What part of the project required you to master new skills? And what are those skills?

• What would you tell another person about how to effectively solve a problem like yours?

• How would you go about solving the problem differently if you were to work on it again?

• How happy were you with the outcome of the solution you implemented and why?

 

Putting it all together (deliverables in SPII & in your Presentation)

All 4 written elements will be synthesized and submitted as a final 15-20 page paper in your ePortfolio and will be part of your Senior Portfolio II grade.

 

Prior to Senior Portfolio II, you will create an oral presentation based on your project paper or some form (for example, a poster) of dissemination for a professional conference or sponsored event:

 

Final Paper

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Your 15-20 page paper should have the following:

• Introduction of the problem, issue, or gap supported by your literature review research. (5-7 pages)

• Introduction of the resolution or intervention to the problem, issue, or gap supported by your literature review research (5-7 pages)

• An overview of your plan for presentation (2-3 pages)

• A reflection of your project: (3-4 pages)

  • What occurred in your presentation?

  • Was it a success or not?

  • Why was it a success or not?

  • What would you do differently?

  • How would you apply lessons learned in your degree?

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Oral Presentation/ Dissemination

 

During the program, you will create an oral presentation or some form of dissemination (poster or essay) based on your Capstone project. You will follow the guidelines for presenting your work based on the organization or sponsor of the event you intend to present at. 

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You will also need to be prepared to address questions from the audience.

 

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Program Topics:

 

Entry-Level BSRS:

• Any medical imaging-related topic

• Creation of a policy or procedure related to an exam or radiation safety

• Meta-analysis of topics related to imaging, radiation safety, procedures, or physics

• Continuing Education (CE) related to imaging topic

 

Nuclear Medicine:

 

Sonography:

Beginning in the first term, each student will participate in monthly literature reviews provided by the program. During this time, students will work with the Program Director to develop a topic based on articles of interest. 

 

Radiation Therapy:

These are general topics, and there are many more possibilities. Students are to discuss their ideas with the Program Director. 

 

• Technical

• Proton therapy

  • Structure of different proton machines- synchrotron vs cyclotron

  • Tumors best treated by proton

  • Role of protons in treating pediatrics

• SRS & SBRT- Advantages and Disadvantages – why are these techniques increasing in popularity

• Immobilization devices- how can they be improved with an emphasis on tangential breast irradiation and challenges

• Different methods of daily digital imaging – example  cone-beam CT- advantage /disadvantages

• Quality assurance in Radiation therapy – what are possible areas for error - how can they be minimized or  avoided

• Brachytherapy – different methods/materials. When is best to use this technique

• Oncology – different tumor types- how has treatment changed over time /different treatments available

  • Epidemiology/etiology - tumor patterns around the world- what accounts for the difference in incidence – genetics, environment, lifestyle, etc. 

  • The role of epigenetics in cancer

  • Benign disease- history of radiation use/present-day use for benign disease

  • Pediatric cancer- differences from adult cancers- special challenges

  • Cancer survivorship -Side effects- what are long term side effects and how to best manage them

• Psycho-oncology

  • ​Coping with cancer – different tumor types- different challenges

  • Controlling patient’s anxiety during the treatment process

  • Rate of suicide among cancer patients

  • Cancer as a family affair- Helping family members cope with a cancer diagnosis

  • Screening cancer patients and families for anxiety, depression, and low coping abilities

  • Increasing resilience in patients, family members, and medical support staff

  • Incidence of burnout in HCP who care for cancer patients

  • Pediatric cancer- how can we help-  patient family and staff cope

  • Survivorship in pediatric populations- specific problems in physical and psychological development

  • The problem with a burnout in Oncology HCP

  • Improving the treatment environment- music, art, colors, etc

  • Pet therapy