Preparation

What distinguishes a doctoral-level professional are their scholarly skills. These skills include the ability to systematically collect and analyze data (that is, conduct research), and apply specialized knowledge (theory and research findings) to understand questions or issues.

This is why the DHS program requires the successful completion of a capstone project, specifically a program evaluation. A program evaluation is a form of applied research, which consists of the systematic collection and analysis of data to provide information about how a program is functioning.

Evaluations are also an example of data-driven decision making. Data are used to understand either the need for a program or how programs are functioning. Data-driven decision making requires the same research skills to evaluate the data and understand how to interpret it.

Subsequent courses in your program will focus on research, scholarly theory, and program evaluations in much more depth, but it’s never too early to start thinking about what you might like to do!

Before writing your assignment, use the Human Services Doctoral (DHS) Program Library GuideLinks to an external site. to find current (within 5-7 years), scholarly, and primary resources to support your work.

Instructions

Using appropriate APA style and format for the following components of your paper, complete the following:

Project Question

• Explain why the project question is important for the organization/community.
• Describe a theory that helps explain the project question.

Program Evaluation

• Explain why the selected program evaluation (formative, process, or outcome) is appropriate.
• Explain why the data selected are appropriate to answer the project question.
  • Are you using qualitative data? If so, why?
  • Are you using quantitative data? If so, why?
• Discuss how cultural responsiveness and equity would be considered in the program evaluation.

Program Evaluation Application

• Discuss how the findings of the program evaluation could be used.

Future Planning

Using the Human Services Reflection Journal: Applied Research and Your Capstone Project Activity media, complete the following:

• Discuss personal plans for a capstone project.
  • Do you have a potential site you could work with? If so, have you made contact to discuss the possibility?
  • If you do not have a site, is there a community problem that you could focus on to propose a new program to develop (formative program evaluation)?
  • How does your potential capstone project align with your career goals?
    • Note: After writing your response, print a PDF and submit it with the rest of your assignment.

Additional Requirements

Your assignment should also meet the following requirements:

• Written communication: Convey purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences. Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
• Length: 5-7 typed double-spaced pages. In addition, include your printed PDF from the Human Services Reflection Journal: Applied Research and Your Capstone Project Activity media.
• References: Use scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles.
• Format: Use current APA style and format for references, in-text citations, and headings, as appropriate. Visit the Evidence and APALinks to an external site.section of the Writing Center for help with APA as needed.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.