Capstone project with the learning materialyou can leanlrn from anywhere.pdf
- 1. Sections of the Master’s Paper
- 2. Organizing your Master’s Paper Creating an Outline Sections of the Master’s Paper Title Page Abstract Introduction Purpose Statement Literature Review Methods Another Writing Resource Public Health Student Online Writing Tutorial Results Discussion Conclusion References Appendices
- 3. The presentations (including this one) describe various sections of your Master’s Paper However . . . You do NOT have to organize your paper in this fashion You don’t need to use the section titles as listed Use section titles that work for YOUR paper Samples for various sections are provided These are not perfect, but they’re good examples written by previous students
- 4. Helps you organize your thoughts and your paper Use as a planning tool Required to submit with each section of paper Do not need to submit with final draft Organize using section titles Generic sample/explanation provided on next slide Further information provided in second writing tutorial presentation, The Pre-Writing Stage http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Presentation2.pdf
- 5. I. Introduction / Background A. State topic B. Importance of topic i. Scope of problem C. Review literature (if appropriate) D. Purpose statement / research question(s) II. Methods A. Data Collection B. Analysis III. Results Organize into sub-sections as appropriate
- 6. Title Page Abstract Introduction / Background Purpose Statement / Research Question(s) Literature Review Methods Results Discussion Conclusion References Appendices
- 7. Follow template Available on Capstone Project Master’s Paper webpage http://www.mcw.edu/mphprogram/CulminatingExperiences/CapstoneProject/MastersPaper.htm Direct link to PDF http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Capstone/Sample/TitlePage.pdf Include/modify pertinent information Title of Project Subtitle, if applicable Your Name Faculty Advisor’s Name Date Submitted
- 8. Summarizes the entire paper Should be written after the rest of the paper Required as part of the third submission Should be written in same organizational scheme as the rest of the paper Can be written as in sections of paper – introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion Length should not exceed 300 words Sample abstract available as PDF http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Sample_Abstract.pdf
- 9. Introduction / Background What is the topic, and why is it important? What other research has been conducted on this topic? What do we already know? Purpose Statement / Research Question(s) What is the purpose of this paper? What question are you trying to answer? Be brief - If more than 1 purpose/question, limit to 1 short paragraph on each Sample introduction (inc. purpose statement) available as PDF http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Sample_Intro.pdf
- 10. Literature Review All papers must include lit review Could be included in various sections Introduction/Background Literature Review (as separate section) Results (if performing lit review as project) Choose the most appropriate section for your paper Should provide basis for paper Synthesize & discuss reviewed literature What have previous studies shown? What are the strengths, weaknesses, trends, & opportunities? Must cite numerous reputable sources Ex – journal articles, books, technical reports, etc.
- 11. What methodology did you use? How did you do your study? Possible methodologies to discuss: Design Setting Participants Intervention Outcome measures Sampling Measurement Data collection Analysis of data
- 12. What were the results? What did you find? What did the study/project demonstrate or accomplish? Be detailed and specific Consider organizing into sub-sections Display information in various formats Use bulleted lists, tables, charts, graphs, etc. Sample results section available as PDF http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Sample_Results.pdf
- 13. Discuss results in detail What do the results mean? How do they affect the field of public health? Put into context of existing base of knowledge How do these results fit into data presented in lit review? Do they support/contradict previous findings? Discuss limitations What were the limitations of this study? Did you encounter any difficulties or barriers in the implementation of this project? Sample discussion section available as PDF http://www.mcw.edu/FileLibrary/Groups/MPHProgram/Writing_Sample_Discussion.pdf
- 14. Discrete conclusions supported by evidence Summarize findings Give equal attention to positive and negative conclusions Implications of your project Given the results, why is it important? Further study/effort implied by conclusions What further research/programs are needed? What do you recommend?
- 15. You MUST cite your sources Cite sources in body of paper (not just at end) May use any reputable reference format APA, MLA, CBE Citation-Sequence System, scientific journal, or other Be consistent RefWorks available from MCW libraries Web-based bibliographic software Link to RefWorks http://www.mcw.edu/mcwlibraries/ RefWorks-Info.htm
- 16. Additional info / support materials Examples Letters of support / IRB letters Survey/interview instruments Data analysis coding sheet Others
- 17. Public Health Student Online Writing Tutorial Available under Resources tab of MPH website http://www.mcw.edu/mphprogram/CurrentStudents/Resources.htm Provides tools useful for writing public health papers Consists of 3 presentations Writing 101 Grammar resources, spelling, plagiarism, MPH student code of ethics The Pre-Writing Stage Initial steps of writing, creating a timeline and outline General Components of a Paper Referencing systems & each section of a paper