Week 8 Capstone

Preparation

In this assignment, you will write a narrowly focused research or program evaluation question that is focused on your topic, has measurable variables, and addresses diversity, equity, or inclusion issues.

Research/Program Evaluation Question

As a guide refer to the following example of a process for narrowing a research problem and writing a research question.

• Social Problem: Child Abuse.
• General Question: How can child abuse be stopped?
• Research Question: To what extent do the protective factors of social support and concrete support decrease recidivism for parents or caregivers who have a diagnosed mental illness?

Theory

Once a research question is established, select one human service theory which was presented during the MS Program to apply to your proposal:

• Behavioral theory.
• Change theory.
• Cognitive theory.
• Critical race theory.
• Developmental theory.
• Feminist theory.
• Functionalist theory.
• Gender theory.
• Identity formation theory.
• Self-efficacy theory.
• Sense of community theory.
• Systems theory.
• Transformational theory.
• Queer theory.

Survey Instrument(s)

The next step is to select select one to two published survey instrument(s) that are held in the Capella Library collection.

• Go to the
• section of the
• .
• Click
• .
• Scroll down to the “P” category and click on PsycTESTS.
• Enter search terms for your topic in Search field.
• Review the options and select a survey you believe would be appropriate for your project. You can modify survey questions for your proposal.

Instructions

Include the following components in your assignment.

Introduction

• Provide a short introduction to the paper.

Research/Program Evaluation Question

• Write one research question or program evaluation question that identifies the population, the problem of focus, and relates to a diversity, equity, or inclusion issue.

Theory

• Provide an overview of the human service theory selected that can be appropriately applied to the social problem/program objective, including an explanation of how at least two constructs from the theory relate to the problem/program objective.

Survey Instrument

• Discuss the value of survey research.
• Present a published survey instrument held in the Capella Library collection and evaluate how the survey questions address the variables in the proposed research question/program evaluation question or could be modified to address them.

Conclusion

• Provide a short conclusion to the paper.

Additional Requirements

• References: Include a minimum of four peer-reviewed journal articles published within the last five years.
• Length of paper: 34 pages.
• Communication: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, consistent with expectations for members of the human services profession. Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA Style and Format: Use appropriate APA style and formatting for citations and references. Refer to
• or
• in the Capella Writing Center.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and grading criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply laws, legal issues, professional ethics and cultural competence to the human services profession.
• Write a narrowly focused research question or program evaluation question that identifies the population and problem and relates to a diversity, equity, or inclusion issue.
• Competency 3: Collaborate with diverse stakeholders within the community to coordinate and manage direct-service programs to best meet client, organizational, and community needs and promote empowerment, community engagement, advocacy, and collaboration in for-profit, nonprofit, and government organizations.
• Discuss the value of survey research.
• Competency 4: Apply interdisciplinary knowledge and research skills to better understand human functioning and conduct a systematic analysis of service needs, interventions, and evaluate outcomes.
• Present a published survey instrument held in the Capella Library collection and evaluate how the survey questions address the variables in the proposed research question/program evaluation question or could be modified to address them.
• Competency 5: Employ human services management skills to address the scope of conditions that can promote or inhibit human functioning: conceptualize problems, contribute in collaborative settings, and communicate recommendations regarding direct care, resource management, and service delivery.
• Provide an overview of the human service theory selected that can be appropriately applied to the social problem/program objective, including an explanation of how at least two constructs from the theory relate to the problem/program objective.
• Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, consistent with expectations for members of the human services profession.
• Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, consistent with expectations for members of the human services profession.

GRADING RUBRIC PLEASE FOLLOW

CriteriaRatingsPtsWrite a narrowly-focused research question or program evaluation question that identifies the population and problem and relates to a diversity, equity, or inclusion issue.

30 to >25.5 pts

DISTINGUISHED

Writes a narrowly focused, well-crafted research question or program evaluation question that identifies the population and problem and relates to a diversity, equity, or inclusion issue, strongly supporting all claims with examples and references to scholarly literature as appropriate.

25.5 to >21 pts

PROFICIENT

Writes a narrowly-focused research question or program evaluation question that identifies the population and problem and relates to a diversity, equity, or inclusion issue.

21 to >0 pts

BASIC

Writes an unclear or inappropriate research question or program evaluation question, or the question does not clearly identify the population and problem and relate to a diversity, equity, or inclusion issue.

0 pts

NON_PERFORMANCE

Does not write a research question or program evaluation question that identifies the population and problem and relates to a diversity, equity, or inclusion issue.

/ 30 pts

Provide an overview of the human service theory selected that can be appropriately applied to the social problem/program objective, including an explanation of how at least two constructs from the theory relate to the problem/program objective.

30 to >25.5 pts

DISTINGUISHED

Provides an overview of the human service theory selected that can be appropriately applied to the social problem/program objective, including an explanation of how at least two constructs from the theory relate to the problem/program objective, strongly supporting all claims with examples and references to scholarly literature as appropriate.

25.5 to >21 pts

PROFICIENT

Provides an overview of the human service theory selected that can be appropriately applied to the social problem/program objective, including an explanation of how at least two constructs from the theory relate to the problem/program objective.

21 to >0 pts

BASIC

Provides an incomplete or vague overview of the human service theory selected, or the theory cannot be appropriately applied to the social problem/program objective.

0 pts

NON_PERFORMANCE

Does not provide an overview of the human service theory selected that can be appropriately applied to the social problem/program objective, including an explanation of how at least two constructs from the theory relate to the problem/program objective.

/ 30 pts

Discuss the value of survey research.

30 to >25.5 pts

DISTINGUISHED

Discusses the value of survey research, strongly supporting all claims with examples and references to scholarly literature as appropriate.

25.5 to >21 pts

PROFICIENT

Discusses the value of survey research.

21 to >0 pts

BASIC

Provides an incomplete discussion of the value of survey research

0 pts

NON_PERFORMANCE

Does not discuss the value of survey research

/ 30 pts

Present a published survey instrument held in the Capella Library collection and evaluate how the survey questions address the variables in the proposed research question/program evaluation question or could be modified to address them.

30 to >25.5 pts

DISTINGUISHED

Presents a published survey instrument held in the Capella Library collection and evaluate how the survey questions address the variables in the proposed research question/program evaluation question or could be modified to address them, strongly supporting all claims with examples and references to scholarly literature as appropriate.

25.5 to >21 pts

PROFICIENT

Presents a published survey instrument held in the Capella Library collection and evaluates how the survey questions address the variables in the proposed research question/program evaluation question or could be modified to address them.

21 to >0 pts

BASIC

Presents a published survey instrument held in the Capella Library collection, but the chosen survey does not appropriately address the variables in the proposed research question/program evaluation question.

0 pts

NON_PERFORMANCE

Does not present a published survey instrument held in the Capella Library collection and evaluate how the survey questions address the variables in the proposed research question/program evaluation question or could be modified to address them.

/ 30 pts

Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, consistent with expectations for members of the human services profession.

30 to >25.5 pts

DISTINGUISHED

Communicates in a manner that is highly scholarly and professional, consistently respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, and strongly aligned with expectations for members of the human services profession.

25.5 to >21 pts

PROFICIENT

Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, consistent with expectations for members of the human services profession.

21 to >0 pts

BASIC

Communicates inconsistently in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, aligned expectations for members of the human services profession.

0 pts

NON_PERFORMANCE

Does not communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, consistent with expectations for members of the human services profession.

/ 30 pts