Preparing Your Doctoral Capstone A Workbook for Occupational Therapy Students

Introduction.  Introduction to Your Doctoral Work and This Workbook.  1.Why the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) And Introduction to Capstone.  2.Needs Assessment by Lisa Bagby.  3.Finding and Developing a Problem Worth Pursuing and Relevant to the Profession of Occupational Therapy.  4. What Is the Capstone Project Purpose? Alignment of the Problem to the Project Type.  5. Finding a Problem and Writing a Problem Statement.  6.Finding a Mentor for a Capstone Research Project.  7.Finding a Mentored Practice Setting.  8.From Thoughts to Words: Starting Your Capstone Write-Up.  9.Laying the Foundation.  10.Literature Review.  11.Blueprints to Brilliance: Crafting Your Capstone Plan: Writing Objectives for Your Capstone Project.  12.Defending the Planned Project and the Experience.  13.Planning and Tracking the Experience.  14.Unveiling Your Outcomes: The Capstone Project Outcomes.  15.Sustainability of Your Capstone Project.  16.Dissemination.  Appendix A.Writing Guidance per Chapter

Biography

Pamela A. Kasyan-Howe, a DCC with over 20 years in higher education, has developed curriculum for associate to doctoral programs. She has held roles as program director, academic fieldwork coordinator, and doctoral coordinator. Pamela has served as an AOTA doctoral mentor, Chair of FLOTEC, and FOTA SIS Chair for Fieldwork and Capstone Education. She has published and presented at state, national, and international venues on fieldwork, doctoral capstone, ethics, and leadership.

Kristin Domville is a DCC at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Miami campus. Her extensive experience in clinical practice and academic leadership underscores her commitment to advancing the field of occupational therapy and mentoring the next generation of OT practitioners.

Michael A. Pizzi developed one of NY's first OTD programs and is a former DCC. He received the Award for Excellence in the advancement of Occupational Therapy and became one of the youngest Fellows of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, given to those who demonstrate scholarship, leadership, and service. Dr. Pizzi was guest editor for AJOT special issues on HIV/AIDS, childhood obesity, and health, well-being, and quality of life, and created the Pizzi Health and Wellness Assessment.

'Preparing Your Doctoral Capstone is an invaluable resource for occupational therapy students and doctoral capstone coordinators. It provides a comprehensive guide through the capstone project and experience, from inception to dissemination, with a distinct emphasis on the workbook nature of the book. The inclusion of activities and worksheets in each chapter fosters critical thinking and clarifies each stage of project development. This workbook stands out for its practical approach, helping students create, disseminate, and sustain meaningful projects as well as identify and develop impactful capstone experiences. It's a must-have for anyone involved in occupational therapy programs.' 

Karen Jacobs, OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA, past AOTA president

'Preparing Your Doctoral Capstone offers a fantastic overview and insights into best practices for developing a capstone project and capstone experience.  Offering options for stages of capstone development, the workbook can align with different curriculum designs but also provide specific guidance to create individual, rigorous capstones. It is an essential resource for doctoral coordinators and occupational therapy doctorate students.'

Barbara L. Kornblau, JD, OTR/L, FAOTA, DASPE, CCM, CDMS, past AOTA president