Undertaking Capstone Projects in Education

Undertaking Capstone Projects in Education provides students with all of the information required to successfully design and complete a capstone project. Guiding the reader in a step-by-step process, this book covers how to create a question, select a topic of interest, and apply the best possible design solutions. Structured in a way that will help readers build their skills, chapters explore all aspects of the capstone project from the inception of the idea, to laying the foundations, designing the project, analysing the data, and presenting the findings. Filled with examples and written in a friendly and collaborative style, this key guide uses simple language and easy-to-understand examples to unpack complex research issues. This book is essential reading for students and anyone interested in undertaking a capstone project in the field of education.

"This book is a page-turner. At last we have a book that sets out a comprehensive range of useful issues in planning, doing and reporting a capstone project. The authors’ experiences of working on capstone projects shines clearly. Its positive style and graphics are first class for students and their supervisors: clear, down-to-earth, focused, practical and thought-provoking for every stage and type of capstone project. The advice is constructive, memorable and important. This book is a breath of fresh air, promoting and rewarding reflective practice. It should be the number one call for students doing capstone projects."Professor Keith Morrison, Vice-rector and Professor of Education, University of Saint Joseph, Macau, China"Undertaking Capstone Projects’ is an extremely valuable addition to education research. Supervisors everywhere will be thrilled to find an approach which brings together theory and practice for teachers and shows the huge benefits of evidence-based research. For teacher-researchers themselves, the book provides a self-study journey leading to research which applies evidence-based solutions to their work-related issues. Capstone projects are practical, flexible, and practice-based. I strongly recommend using this book as the key text for those embarking on research projects in education."Professor Elizabeth Rata, Director of Knowledge in Education Research Unit, University of Auckland, New Zealand"This is an excellent book for the early career researcher. Drs Burke and Dempsey have taken a really innovative fresh approach to education research methods for practitioners. Their book will fill the void missing in the current extensive range of publications for the students who are just about to embark on a research journey. At the early-stages students can be overwhelmed by the plethora of new language and ideas they encounter. By the time the novice researchers get to the end of this great book, they will know what phenomenology, mixed methods, quantitative analysis and much more are and where they fit in the big picture, leaving the new researcher ready to dig deeper and refine their own research journey." Dr Elaine Wilson, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, UKAt last, there is a comprehensive body of work on how to undertake capstone projects in education. This much-needed resource not only fills a gap in the literature but also has a place in addressing the knowledge gap of students and staff who seek to understand the purpose and process of a capstone.Dr Kelly-Ann Allen, School of Education, Monash University, Australia

Jolanta Burke is a Chartered Psychologist specialising in positive psychology applied in education and Assistant Professor at Maynooth University, Ireland.Majella Dempsey is Associate Professor and Strand Leader for the professional doctorate in curriculum studies at Maynooth University, Ireland.