Start by reading and following these instructions:
1. Quickly skim the questions or assignment below and the assignment rubric to help you focus.
2. Read the required chapter(s) of the textbook and any additional recommended resources. Some answers may require you to do additional research on the Internet or in other reference sources. Choose your sources carefully.
3. Consider the discussion and any insights you gained from it.
4. Create your Assignment submission and be sure to cite your sources, use APA style as required, and check your spelling.
Assignment:
Research possible capstone topics:
In order to focus your activities on the development of your capstone project proposal, you must develop a framework or structure within which you can target the subject or topic that you choose to use as the focus for your capstone proposal and project.
From our experience in working with participants in previous capstone-style projects, one of the best approaches we have seen which can assist with this task is to generate a series of questions that you develop that are intended to move you from a more general to specific topical or subject focus.
Questions that you may wish to consider are listed below. The capstone instructor may pose additional questions to help you explore.
What are my possible subjects or topics and why are they of interest to me?
Exploring and investigating a specific subject may be of interest to you professionally in your current occupational or organization setting. Topics, which are related to some specific organizational unit or issue, are often chosen. Clearly, the topical area is of your choosing and you should consider a subject that may address not only a real-life problem or issue but, if possible, one with which you can identify and which perhaps offers some personal interest and motivation. Additionally, and more importantly, you should choose one that can be completed within the context of the specific time frame for this course.
What issues, factors, elements, or other parameters should be considered in researching a topic?
Using the powers of deductive reasoning, you can move from a more general to a more specific focus on your topic. Some preliminary thought and investigation were given to searching for a topic even before you begin your formal project formulation can greatly assist in the definition process.
Do you have the necessary commitment and approval needed within the organization in which you wish to conduct your analysis?
If you are looking at investigating or researching existing tactical, strategic, or managerial problems or issues within a Medical Management organization, it is important that you determine at the outset whether the management of the organization concerned will give you the access to both information and people within the organization that will permit you to focus on the problem or issue that you have selected. It is also important that you explore the background information and history that have led to the current state of affairs BEFORE committing to a specific topic.
Based upon your initial review of the “situation” within the organization, are there specific potential options or alternative outcomes that you can begin to identify or foresee that could lead to a resolution of the problem or clarification of the issues?
This is a question that must be addressed repeatedly as you proceed to collect, collate, read and digest the information and data that you acquire in formulating both your project proposal and later in the actual conduct of your project.
What can you learn from information, analyses, and outcomes from previous studies and project documentation that you have been able to locate during your topical search?
Although you can (sometimes) assume that the problem or issue that you have selected for your project is in some way unique or previously unexplored, history has taught us that you can learn from the past experience of others who have faced similar if not identical problems or issues. Even if the problems or issues that you seek to study and investigate seem to be “different” and difficult to lend themselves to comparison, you should recall that all organizations function with the same key resources. That being people.
Have you discussed your project ideas and topic with your colleagues, managers, or trusted friends?
We are all familiar with the expression “two heads are better than one”. In fact, discussion of your proposed topic with respected colleagues or friends is always beneficial in our experience. Of course, if you were engaged in a capstone project in which confidentiality is a major concern, you would need to take that into account when choosing with whom to discuss your project ideas.
Module 1 Assignment
Reach an agreement with your capstone mentor on a capstone topic.
HCA499- Capstone Topic Proposal
Due Week 1
(100 pts)
In a 500-750 word proposal, discuss the following prompts. Be very thorough and detailed so that your instructor has ample information to help you pick the best choice of a topic that has viability for investigation. You should use at least two (2) references to support your choices of topics and use the APA writing style to format your proposal.
- What Healthcare Administration problem(s) are you trying to solve?
- What two topics would you like to investigate during your capstone study? (You will only be approved for one topic, but providing two topics allows your instructor to guide you in the direction of the topic that best fits the nature of this course). Avoid overly general topics (like Billing) and focus on a more specific area (like what are the most common complaints from clients regarding their billing?).
- Your topics should address the application of all of our Program Goals: – Business Management Knowledge- Professional Behavior/Ethics- Cultural Competence- Research and Evidence-based Practice- Leadership/Advocacy
- Why are you interested in this topic personally?
- What academic value do your topics have? Why are these two topics important to the field of Healthcare Administration or Healthcare Administration education? What is the current state of affairs in the Healthcare Administration that justifies the selection of these topics? Who will benefit from your project conclusions and discoveries? Address each topic separately in your proposal.
- Who will need to be involved in the educational setting? Who will assist you in better understanding and formulating a solution to the educational problem that you see to investigate? Be very specific. Begin approaching those individuals now so that you can gain access to them as a resource during the implementation of your capstone project.
- What are your expectations and goals for the capstone? What do you hope to achieve and gain from this experience?
