Guidelines for the completion of the Capstone Project to ...

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Guidelines for the completion of the Capstone Project to Candidates of the Doctoral Program in Integrative Medicine

(rev. May 8, 2015)

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Table of Contents

Orientation to the Capstone Project................................................................ 3 Research Design....................................................................................... 4 Educational Objectives of the Capstone Project................................................ 6 Composition/Writing Guidelines.................................................................... 7 Suggested Outline of the Capstone Project..................................................... 9

Title Page........................................................................................... 10 Approvals Signature Page...................................................................... 11 Abstract.............................................................................................. 12 Table of Contents................................................................................. 13 Chapter 1 (Introduction).......................................................................... 14 Chapter 2 (Literature Review).................................................................. 15 Chapter 3 (Methods).............................................................................. 16 Chapter 4 (Results)............................................................................... 17 Chapter 5 (Discussion)........................................................................... 18 References.......................................................................................... 19 Appendices.......................................................................................... 25 Troubleshooting the Capstone Project............................................................ 26 Appointment of the Capstone Project Advisor................................................... 27 Capstone Advisor Appointment Form.............................................................. 29 Position Description--DAOM Capstone Advisor................................................ 30 Contracted Capstone Project Advisor Pool....................................................... 31 Contracted Capstone Project Advisor Billing Form............................................. 33 Oral Presentation Guidelines......................................................................... 34 Capstone Project Library Release Form.......................................................... 36

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Section 1: Orientation to the Capstone Project

The Capstone Project at Yo San University is a research based project that aims to combine academic knowledge with critical thinking and analysis in order to present a novel idea which will ultimately contribute to the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine. As such, a clear question or objective must be presented and a scientific methodology will be implemented to test the given hypothesis. Doctoral candidates who are using methods such as grounded theory will not have an initial hypothesis. Regardless of the type of research the candidate chooses the manner in which the data is presented should reflect a thesis in which a question is being answered. Although the Thesis is a formal requirement in completion of the Doctoral Degree at Yo San University, the Capstone Project should not be looked upon as just a "requirement". It should be approached with the intent to further the knowledge and scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The faculty at Yo San University will hold the candidates to the utmost stringent criteria with the Capstone Project, with the hopes that once the Thesis is completed, it should be close to a publishable work.

Yo San University Doctoral candidates must demonstrate an integration of the knowledge and skills required in the core curriculum by completing an acceptable clinically or scholarly oriented research project, which is evaluated by doctoral faculty, in the final phases of the program in which candidates incorporate the use of current literature and research in Traditional Chinese Medicine and/or Western Medicine. The project must demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills for designing and critiquing approaches to systematic inquiry and the use of qualitative and/or quantitative methods. The projects must be of such a nature that they meet academic form and style standards suitable for peer-reviewed professional publications.

The styles of research projects may include the following: Theoretical analyses Surveys, analyses of archival data Outcomes research Systematic, qualitative investigations Public policy issues Case studies Evaluative research Interpretive translation research Educational research--professional and patient

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Section 2: Research Design

Qualitative: These types of research methods involve describing in details specific situation using research tools like interviews, surveys, and Observations.

Quantitative: These types of research methods require quantifiable data involving numerical and statistical explanations.

Correlation/Regression Analysis: This research method involves determining the strength of the relationship between two or more variables (e.g. are violent video games correlated with aggression in children).

Quasi-Experimental: This research involves the comparison of two groups, one which is influenced by an external source and another which is not influenced by an external force.

Experimental: Use of random assignment to place participants in two groups: an experimental group which receives intervention, and another control group without any intervention. It is using a positive control for you to base it or compare it in your result.

Meta-Analysis: This research method is useful for finding out the average impact of several different studies on a hypothesis.

The Yo San University DAOM Program includes the requirement of the completion of a Capstone Project. The DAOM Academic Committee has established criteria for the project. The established criteria are simple. Each Capstone project must represent original scholarship and must have the potential to make a contribution to the field. In their coursework DAOM candidates are reviewing the scientific literature that pertains to both Oriental Medicine and Western Medicine. In a series of three research methods courses DAOM candidates engage the theory, procedures, ethics and logistics of conducting research. The research courses culminate in the development of a viable Capstone project proposal as well as the generation of an initial Institutional Review Board (IRB) application and the ground work needed to complete their capstone project with the assistance of their advisor.

The DAOM faculty and administration purport that learning the foundation and processes for conducting ethical research with human subjects is a prerequisite for all DAOM candidates regardless of the method or format of the capstone project of each individual candidate. As a result each DAOM Candidate is required to complete human subject training and submit an application to the Yo San University Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Besides the mentorship and training engaged in the research methods courses, each candidate is provided abundant mentorship and support in the process of developing and actualizing the Capstone project. Each candidate works with a Capstone Project Advisor who has responsibility for providing guidance, advice, review and detailed commentary regarding the various stages of the Capstone Project development. In addition to the primary advisor, each DAOM candidate has access to designated team of consultants regarding several specific areas germane to the development of the project. Those areas include:

Research Methodology Statistical Analysis Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory and Practice Western Medicine Theory and Practice Each Capstone Project is presented by the author at a public presentation session with DAOM Candidates, faculty and, administrators present. Capstone projects are reviewed and graded by members of the Doctoral

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5 Dissertation Committee. Each project is graded by a committee consisting of the Candidate's Capstone Project Advisor, a TCM instructor and a Western Medicine instructor. Grading of the Capstone project includes the following factors:

Project as submitted in written format: 75% of the grade Oral Presentation/Defense of the Capstone Project: 25% of the grade Be prepared to submit your entire capstone project document electronically on the published due date as a word document. All graphs, charts, and tables created in excel should be merged into this document. After the successful presentation and the award of a grade of "Pass" for the Capstone Project, each candidate is urged to pursue publication of their Capstone Project through or other outlets. The publication process potentially makes the work accessible to the greater professional and academic community.

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6 Section 3: Educational Objectives for the Capstone Project Since the Capstone Project is the culminating activity of the Yo San University DAOM Program, it is expected that the Capstone Project will constitute activities and a product that integrate and demonstrate aspects of the program's educational objectives. Those objectives are restated below:

1. Apply advanced practices of Oriental Medicine, and demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in Oriental Medicine through scholarly activity, clinical practice and leadership in a medical specialty.

2. Demonstrate skills of critical thinking and advanced training in patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment intervention within their core specialty.

3. Show evidence of advanced knowledge and practice skills in all aspects of Oriental Medicine including acupuncture, herbal Medicine, Qi cultivation, manual therapy and nutrition.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of biomedical science relevant to their core specialty. 5. Demonstrate skills of collaboration with health care providers in multiple disciplines for the purpose of

enhanced patient care and scholarly activities. 6. Demonstrate skills of leadership within oriental Medicine including skills in reflection and self-

assessment, formal presentation and clinical teaching. 7. Demonstrate skills of life-long learning through completion of all required activities in the doctoral

program. 8. Demonstrate an understanding of research methods including theory, procedures, ethics and logistics

of conducting research with human subjects.

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Section 4: Composition/Writing Guidelines

Yo San University DAOM Program

Capstone Project Composition Writing Guidelines

(09-10-2011; rev. 09-13-11)

Introduction: Scholarly work in the academy is characterized by standards of clarity in language and format for works that are of publishable quality including dissertations/theses/Capstone Projects. Producing a quality dissertation/thesis/capstone project is a progressive process that deliberately includes feedback from diverse reviewers at several "critical" points. Each review point includes the possibility of further refinement of the document. With each draft, subsequent to review and commentary it is expected that the document will be further enhanced resulting in a higher quality product. Candidates in doctoral programs and scholars/ professionals who seek publication or who wish to share their work in academic presentations must be open and flexible regarding suggestions made from academic peers. This document will focus on some of the composition and format factors that will contribute to the overall coherence and quality of scholarly documents.

Factors to keep in mind as you format and refine the draft to be submitted for grading/assessment:

1. Follow carefully the recommended format for chapter outline, the title page, abstract, acknowledgements, table of contents, list of tables, references and appendices.

2. In dissertations/theses/capstone projects, it is common practice to begin each chapter on a new page.

3. Writing/Composition Issues: Voice: In research writing generally the third person is the expected voice. (e.g. "In this study the researcher sought to demonstrate the efficacy of the use of dry needling in relieving cramping within the first three hours of the post partum process." In research writing short sentences are preferred. Especially avoid run on sentences or the use of compound- complex sentences. Use long sentence structures only when necessary. Readers are likely to lose their train of thought when reading too many excessively long sentences. Intersperse long sentences with a very brief and simple sentence. Nearly everyone will use the word "data" in the Capstone Project narrative. Be aware that the word "data" is plural. As a result you must use the plural verb with it. For example, "In Table 2 the data are organized by age categories...." The singular of "data" is "datum", a form that is seldom used. Do a word search of your draft to affirm that every instance of the use of the word data is expressed in correct form. Avoid the use of the word "this" without a noun immediately following it. The use of the word "this" without a noun leaves your writing with a vague and imprecise tone. While you as the writer/researcher know to what the word "this" refers, often it is difficult for a na?ve reader to have that awareness. Research writing is exact writing. Avoid word constructions that are lacking in clarity. Acronyms: Always spell out entirely any acronym that you use the first time and insert the acronym in parentheses immediately after spelling it out, e.g. The Accrediting Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) recommends that the post professional degree shall be the Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM). Use your judgment if you need to entirely spell out the acronym again in a subsequent chapter.

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Plagiarism: Do not put yourself at risk of being accused of plagiarism. Make sure that all of your work especially in your literature review section represents your own paraphrase, or is otherwise appropriately cited as a direct quote. Be aware that generally the use of extensive quotations is discouraged in scholarly writing. As you know, there are services (e.g. "Turn It ") that can do an instant review of your work and generate a list of sections that are likely plagiarized.

FLOW: When writing your Thesis, it is important to remember to keep the "flow" of your project smooth and consistent. There should not be a scattering of ideas or divergence of thought processes. A paragraph should address a point and the words and sentences should be Coherent to allow for a smooth transition to the next topic/point.

4. APA Format Issues: Remember APA format is the easiest and most straightforward of all academic writing style manuals. It is flexible and uncomplicated. It provides clear directions for the inclusion of citations, references, headings and other format issues. Consider these common APA format factors: Citation Format: Always check the APA format. It is rare that a doctoral candidate would ever need to purchase the APA manual (which will cost about $30). If you run into a question as you are writing, Google "APA format + a few words about your question." (e.g. "APA format personal communication citations.") There are dozens of universities that have sites to assist candidates in formatting papers. They are happy to share their knowledge and perspectives regarding any issue about which you are unsure. Common errors occur regarding the use the ampersand ("&"). Use the ampersand in the text when the entire citation is within parentheses,--e. g. (Jones & Smith, 2010). However, if you are including the names of the authors in the text, you use "and"--e.g. "Jones and Smith (2010) stated that the use of acupuncture with children..." Use the ampersand always in the References list.

5. : After final approval and sign off, DAOM candidates are encouraged to submit their capstone projects to for possible inclusion in the database of that organization. Your capstones will be included under the medical and health sciences category. Inclusion of your project in that data base provides worldwide access to other scholars and researchers. For information on publication guidelines and royalties from sales, visit proposal.php#.

6. Yo San University Library: Your Capstone project will be catalogued and archived electronically in the database of the Yo San University Library. It can be read through the library by anyone who has access to the Library or may be accessed via interlibrary loan procedures.

(rev. May 8, 2015)

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