| CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT DESCRIBES THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS FOR WHAT THE PROJECT WILL INVESTIGATE | Completed |
| INTRODUCTION This section provides a brief overview of the project focus or problem, explains why this project is worth conducting and discusses how this project will be completed. (Minimum 3-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page). |
A practice improvement project topic is introduced. *** PROJECT TOPIC IS APPROPRIATE FOR DNP- the student is translating existing knowledge or guideline into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.***
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The discussion provides an overview of what is contained in the chapter.
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| BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT: The background section explains both the history of and the present state of the problem and project focus. This section summarizes the Background section from Chapter 2. (Minimum 2-3 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) |
The background provides an overview of the history of and present state of the problem and project focus.
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| PROBLEM STATEMENT: This section includes the problem statement, the population affected, and how the project will contribute to solving the problem. This section is summarized in Chapter 3. (Minimum 3-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) |
The problem statement states the specific problem proposed for the project by presenting a clear declarative statement that begins with “It is not known if and to what degree/extent...”
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It identifies the need for the project.
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It identifies the broad population affected by the problem.
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It suggests how the project may contribute to solving the problem.
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| PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT: The purpose statement section provides a reflection of the problem statement and identifies how the project will be accomplished. It explains how the proposed project will contribute to the field. (Minimum 2-3 paragraphs) |
Presents a declarative statement: "The purpose of this project is...." that identifies the project design, population, and variables.
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Identifies methodology and identifies the specific project design.
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This section describes the specific population group and geographic location for the project.
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It defines the variables, relationship of variables, or comparison of groups.
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Explains how the project will contribute to the field.
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| CLINICAL QUESTIONS: (There are no hypotheses in DPI Projects) This section narrows the focus of the project and specifies the clinical questions to address the problem statement. Based on the clinical questions, it describes the variables or groups for a quantitative project or the phenomena under investigation for a qualitative project. (Minimum 2-3 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) |
Quantitative Designs: States the clinical questions the project will answer and identifies the variables using the format appropriate for the specific design.
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This section includes a discussion of the clinical questions, relating them to the problem statement.
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| ADVANCING SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE: This section specifically describes how the project will advance the body of knowledge on the topic. It can be a small step forward in a line of current research and/or scholarly work, but it must add to the current body of knowledge in the literature in the learner’s program of the project. It identifies the “gap” or “need” based on an identified practice problem and discusses how the project will address that “gap” or “need.” This section summarizes the Theoretical Foundations section from Chapter 2. (Minimum 2-3 paragraphs) |
Clearly identifies the “gap” or “need” in practice is supported by an intervention in the literature that was used to define the problem statement and develop the clinical questions.
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Describes how the project will address the “gap” or “identified” need in practice.
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Identifies the theory or model upon which the project is built.
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Describes how the project will advance the theory or model upon which the project is built.
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| SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT: This section identifies and describes the significance of the project and the implications of the potential results based on the clinical questions and problem statement or the investigated phenomena. It describes how the project fits within and will contribute to the current literature or body of knowledge. It describes potential practical applications from the project. (Minimum 3-4 paragraphs) |
It provides an overview of how the proposed project fits within other research or projects in the field, relating it specifically to other studies.
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Describes how the project will contribute to the research or scholarly work being done in the field of project. Describes how addressing the problem will impact and add value to the population, community, or society.
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| RATIONALE FOR METHODOLOGY: This section clearly justifies the methodology the investigator plans to use for conducting the project. It argues how the methodological framework is the best approach to answer the clinical questions and address the problem statement. It uses citations from textbooks and articles on project methodology and/or articles on related studies. (Minimum 2-3 paragraphs) |
It Identifies the specific project method for the project.
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It justifies the method to be used for the project by discussing why it is the best approach for answering the clinical question and addressing the problem statement.
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Uses citations from textbooks and/or literature on the methodology to justify the use of the selected methodology.
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| NATURE OF THE PROJECT DESIGN: This section describes the specific project design to answer the clinical questions and why this approach was selected. It describes the sample being studied as well as the process that will be used to collect the data on the sample. (Minimum 3-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) |
Describes the selected design for the project.
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Discusses why the selected design is the best design to address the problem statement and clinical questions as compared to other designs.
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Briefly describes the specific sample being studied and the data collection procedure to collect information on the sample.
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| DEFINITIONS OF TERMS: This section defines the project constructs and provides a common understanding of the technical terms, exclusive jargon, variables, concepts, and sundry terminology used within the scope of the project. Terms are defined in lay terms and in the context in which they are used within the project. (Each definition may have a few sentences to a paragraph.) |
Defines any words that may be unknown to a layperson (words with unusual or ambiguous meanings or technical terms) from the research or literature.
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Defines the variables for a quantitative project or the phenomena for a qualitative project from the research or literature.
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Definitions are supported with citations from scholarly sources.
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| ASSUMPTIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND DELIMITATIONS: This section identifies the assumptions and specifies the limitations, as well as the delimitations of the project. (Minimum 3-4 paragraphs) |
States the assumptions being accepted for the project (methodological, theoretical, and topic-specific).
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Provides a rationale for each assumption, incorporating multiple perspectives when appropriate.
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Identifies limitations of the project design.
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Identifies delimitations of the project design.
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Discusses the potential generalizability of the project findings.
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| ORGANIZATION OF THE REMAINDER OF THE PROJECT: This section summarizes the key points of Chapter 1 and provides supporting citations for those key points. It then provides a transition discussion to Chapter 2, followed by a description of the remaining chapters and a timeline for completing the project and practice improvement project (Minimum 1-2 pages) |
The "Problem Statement,” “Purpose Statement,” and “Clinical Question(s)” need to be comprised of all the same components and must be aligned throughout the paper.
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Summarizes key points presented in Chapter 1.
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Provides citations from scholarly sources to support key points.
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Chapter 1 summary ends with a transition discussion to Chapter 2.
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Describes the remaining chapters and provides a timeline for completing the project and writing up the practice improvement project.
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All research and scholarly material presented in the Chapter is scholarly, topic-related, and obtained from highly respected academic, professional, original sources. In-text citations are accurate, correctly cited, and included in the reference page according to APA standards.
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| CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. PRESENTS THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROJECT; DEVELOPS THE TOPIC, SPECIFIC PROBLEM, CLINICAL QUESTION(S) AND PROJECT DESIGN ELEMENTS. | Completed |
| CHAPTER 2 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND (TO THE PROBLEM): These sections describe the overall topic to be investigated, outline the approach taken for the literature review, and the evolution of the problem based on the “gap” or “need” defined in practice. (Minimum 2-3 pages) |
Introduction: States the overall purpose of the project and provides an orienting paragraph, so the reader knows what the literature review will address.
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Introduction: Describes how the chapter will be organized (including the specific sections and subsections).
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Introduction: Describes how the literature was surveyed so the reader can evaluate the thoroughness of the review. This includes search terms and databases used.
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Background: Provides the historical overview of the problem based on the “gap” or “need” defined in practice and the literature on how it originated.
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Background: Discusses how the problem has evolved historically into its current form.
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| THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: This section identifies the theory(s) or model(s) that provide the foundation for the project. This section should present the theory(s) or models(s) and explain how the problem under investigation relates to the theory(s) or model(s). The theory(s) or models(s) guide the clinical questions and justify what is being measured (variables) as well as how those variables are related (quantitative) or the phenomena being investigated (qualitative). (Minimum 2-3 pages) |
Identifies and describes the theory(s) or model(s) to be used as the foundation for the project.
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Identifies and describes the seminal source for each theory or model.
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Discusses how the clinical question(s) align with the respective theory(s) or model(s).
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Illustrates how the project fits within other research or scholarly work based on the theory or model.
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Reflects an understanding of the theory or model and its relevance to the proposed project.
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| REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE (ROL): This section provides a broad, balanced overview of the existing literature related to the proposed project topic. It identifies themes, trends, and conflicts in methodology, design, and findings. It describes the literature in related topic areas and its relevance to the proposed project topic. It provides an overall analysis of the existing literature examining the contributions of this literature to the field, identifying the conflicts, and relating the themes and results to the proposed project. Citations are provided for all ideas, concepts, and perspectives. The investigator’s personal opinions or perspectives are not included. (Minimum 20-25 pages) |
Chapter 2 needs to be at least 20-25 pages in length. It needs to include a minimum of 50 scholarly sources, with 85% from the past 5 years. Additional sources do not necessarily need to be from the past 5 years. It should not include any personal perspectives.
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Quantitative project: Describes each project variable in the project discussing the prior research or scholarly work that has been done on the variable.
Qualitative project: Describes the phenomena being explored in the project discussing the prior research or scholarly work that has been done on the phenomena. | |
Discusses the various methodologies and designs that have been used to research/investigate topics related to the project. Uses this information to justify the proposed design.
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Argues the appropriateness of the practice improvement project’s instruments, measures, and/or approaches used to collect data.
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Discusses topics related to the proposed practice improvement project topic. May include (a) studies relating the variables (quantitative) or exploring related phenomena (qualitative), (b) studies on related research such as factors associated with the topic, (c) studies on the instruments used to collect data, and/or (d) studies on the broad population for the project. The set of topics discussed in the ROL demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the broad area in which the project topic exists. *Please note that qualitative projects are not recommended for the DPI.
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Structures literature review in a logical order includes actual data and accurate synthesis of results from reviewed studies as related to the learner’s own topic, not just a summary of the findings.
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Each section within the ROL includes an introductory paragraph that explains why the topic was explored relative to the practice improvement project topic.
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Each section within the ROL requires a summary paragraph(s) that (a) compares alternative perspectives on the topic and (b) provides a summary of the themes relative to the project topic discussed that emerged from the literature, and (c) identifies how themes are relevant to your practice improvement project topic.
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The types of references that may be used in the literature review include empirical articles, a limited number of practice improvement projects, peer-reviewed or scholarly journal articles, and books that present cutting edge views on a topic, are research-based or are seminal works.
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Verifies all in-text citations are correctly formatted according to APA 6th Edition.
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| SUMMARY: This section restates what was written in Chapter 2 and provides supporting citations for key points. It synthesizes the information from the chapter using it to define the “gaps” in or “project needs” from practice, the theory(s) or model(s) to provide the foundation for the project, the problem statement, the primary clinical question, the methodology, the design, the variables or phenomena, the data collection instruments or sources, and population to be studied. It then provides a transition discussion to Chapter 3. (Minimum 1-2 pages) |
Synthesizes the information from all prior sections in the ROL using it to define the key strategic points for the project.
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Summarizes the gaps and needs in the background and introduction, describing how it informs the problem statement.
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Identifies the theory(s) or model(s) describing how they inform the clinical questions.
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Uses the literature to justify the design, variables or phenomena, data collection instruments or sources, and population.
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Builds a case for the project in terms of the value of the project.
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Explains how the current theories, models, and topics related to the proposed project will be advanced through your proposed project.
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Summarizes key points in Chapter 2 and transitions into Chapter 3.
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All research and scholarly work presented in the Chapter is scholarly, topic-related, and obtained from highly respected, academic, professional, original sources. In-text citations are accurate, correctly cited and included in the reference page according to APA standards.
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| CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY. DESCRIBES HOW THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED, INCLUDING STEP-BY-STEP METHODS AND PROCEDURES. | Completed |
| CHAPTER 3 INTRODUCTION This section includes both a restatement of project focus and Purpose Statement for the project from Chapter 1, to reintroduce the reader to the need for the project, and a description of the contents of the chapter. (Minimum 2-3 paragraphs) STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM This section restates the problem for the convenience of the reader. This section is a summary of the related section in Chapter 1. (Minimum 1-2 paragraphs) CLINICAL QUESTIONS This section restates the clinical question(s) or phenomena and explains why the selected design is the best approach to answer the clinical questions. Further, it defines the variables and/or groups. The section also discusses the approaches to collecting the data to answer the clinical questions. This section expands on the related section in Chapter 1. (Minimum 1-2 pages) |
Briefly introduce the chapter, describe the chapter's purpose, and how it is organized. Summarize the project focus, purpose statement, and problem statement to reintroduce the reader to the need for the project.
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Restates the Problem Statement from Chapter 1.
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Restates the clinical questions for the project from Chapter 1. For a quantitative project, it then presents the matching variables. For a qualitative project, it then describes the phenomena to be understood as a result of the project.
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Describes the approaches used to collect the data to answer the clinical questions. For a quantitative project, it describes the instrument(s) or data source(s) to collect the data for each and every variable. For a qualitative project, it describes the instrument(s) or data source(s) to collect the data to answer each clinical question.
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Discusses why the design was selected to be the best approach to answer the clinical questions (quantitative) or understand the phenomena (qualitative).
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| PROJECT METHODOLOGY Elaborates on the Methodology section (from Chapter 1), providing the rationale for the selected method (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed). |
Project Methodology: Elaborates on the Methodology section (from Chapter 1), providing the rationale for the selected method (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed). Includes a discussion of why the selected method was chosen instead of another method. Arguments are supported by citations from articles and books on research/project methodology and/or design.
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Project Design. Elaborates on the Nature of the Design for the Project (from Chapter 1), providing the rationale for the selected design. Includes a discussion of why the selected design is the best one to collect the data needed. Arguments are supported by citations from articles and books on research/project methodology and/or design.
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Project Design. Describes how the specific selected project design will be used to collect the type of data needed to answer the clinical questions and the specific instruments or data sources that will be used to collect or source this data. Discusses why the design was selected to be the best approach to answer the clinical questions or understand the phenomena (qualitative).
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Methodology and Design. Uses an authoritative source(s) to justify the methodology and design. Note: Do not use introductory research textbooks (such as Creswell) to justify the research design and data analysis approach.
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| POPULATION AND SAMPLE SELECTION: This section discusses the setting, total population, project population, and project sample. The discussion of the sample includes the project terminology specific to the type of sampling for the project. (Minimum 1-2 pages) |
Describes the characteristics of the total (general) population and the project (target) population from which the project sample (sample) (project participants) is drawn.
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Describes the characteristics of the project population and the project sample. Clearly defines and differentiates the sample for the project (what is being studied) versus the number of people completing instruments on the project sample.
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Describes the project population size and project sample size and justifies the project sample size (e.g., power analysis) based on the selected design. Clearly defines and differentiates between the number for the project population and the project sample (for what is being studied) versus the number for the people who will complete any instruments.
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Details the sampling procedure, including the specific steps taken to identify, contact and recruit potential project sample participants from the project population.
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Describes the informed consent process, confidentiality measures, project participation requirements, and geographic specifics.
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| INSTRUMENTATION OR SOURCES OF DATA: This section identifies and describes the types of data that were collected as well as the specific instruments and sources used to collect those data. For quantitative projects, it also describes the specific type of scale of measurement used in an instrument or used to define the different groups. (Minimum 1-3 pages) VALIDITY: This section describes and defends the procedures used to determine the validity of the data collected appropriately to the methodology conducted. (Minimum 2-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) RELIABILITY: This section describes and defends the procedures used to determine the reliability of the data collected appropriately to the methodology conducted. (Minimum 2-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) |
Describes, in detail, all data collection instruments and sources (tests, questionnaires, interviews, databases, media, etc.). Discusses the specific instrument or source to collect data for each variable or group (quantitative project). Discusses specific instrument or source to collect information to describe the phenomena being studied (qualitative project).
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Provides specific validity statistics for quantitative instruments, identifying how they were developed. Explains how validity will be addressed for qualitative data collection approaches. NOTE: Learners should not be developing any quantitative instruments.
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Provides specific reliability statistics for quantitative instruments, identifying how the statistics were developed. Explains how reliability will be addressed for qualitative data collection approaches.
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Appendices must include copies of instruments, qualitative data collection protocols, codebooks, and permission letters from instrument authors (for validated instruments, surveys, interview guides, etc.)
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| DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES: This section details the entirety of the process used to collect the data. It describes each step of the data collection process in a way that another investigator could replicate the project. |
Describes the step-by-step procedures used to carry out all the major steps for data collection for the project in a way that would allow another investigator to replicate the project.
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Describes the procedures for project sample recruitment, sample selection, and assignment to groups (if applicable).
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Describes the procedures for obtaining informed consent and for protecting the rights and well-being of the project sample participants, as well as those completing instruments on them.
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Describes the procedures adopted to maintain data securely, including the length of time data will be kept, where it will be kept, and how it will be destroyed.
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Describes the procedures for data collection, including how each instrument or data source was used, how and where data was collected, and how data was recorded.
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| DATA ANALYSIS PROCEDURES: This section describes how the data was collected for each variable or group and for each clinical question. It describes the type of data to be analyzed, identifying the descriptive, inferential, and/or non-statistical analyses. Demonstrates that the project analysis is aligned to the specific project design. (Minimum 1-3 pages) |
Describes the clinical question(s).
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Describes in detail the relevant data collected for each stated clinical question and/or each variable (if applicable).
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Describes how the raw data was organized and prepared for analysis.
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Provides a step-by-step description of the procedures used to conduct the data analysis.
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Describes, in detail, any statistical and non-statistical analysis to be employed.
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Provides the rationale for each of the data analysis procedures (statistical and non-statistical) employed in the project.
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Demonstrates that the data analysis techniques align with the project design.
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States the level of statistical significance for quantitative analyses as appropriate.
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| ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: This section discusses the potential ethical issues surrounding the project, as well as how human subjects and data will be protected. It identifies how any potential ethical issues will be addressed. (Minimum 3-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) |
Provides a discussion of ethical issues related to the project, the population, and the sample of interest.
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Addresses anonymity, confidentiality, privacy, lack of coercion, informed consent, and potential conflict of interest.
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Demonstrates adherence to the key principles of the Belmont Report (respect, justice, and beneficence) in the project design, sampling procedures, and within the theoretical framework, practice problem and clinical questions.
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Includes a copy of the IRB Approval letter in an Appendix.
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| LIMITATIONS AND DELIMITATIONS: This section discusses in detail the limitations related to the project approach and methodology and potential impacts on the results. (Minimum 2-3 paragraphs) |
Describes any limitations related to the methods, sample, instrumentation, data collection process, and analysis. Explains why the existing limitations are unavoidable and are not expected to affect the results negatively.
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Delimitations are things over which the investigator has control, such as the location of the project. Identify the limitations and delimitations of the design.
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Discuss the potential generalizability of the project findings based on these limitations. For each limitation and/or delimitation listed, make sure to provide an associated explanation.
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| SUMMARY: This section restates what was written in Chapter 3 and provides supporting citations for key points. It then provides a transition discussion to Chapter 4. (Minimum 1-2 pages) |
Summarizes key points presented in Chapter 3 with appropriate citations.
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Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the overall project design and data analysis techniques.
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Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the overall project design and data analysis techniques.
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Ends Chapter 3 with a transition discussion to focus on Chapter 4.
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All research and scholarly work presented in the Chapter is scholarly, topic-related, and obtained from highly respected academic, professional, original sources. In-text citations are accurate, correctly cited, and included in the reference page according to APA standards.
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| CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
REPORTS FINDINGS OF THE PROJECT IN ORGANIZED, DETAILED, AND NON-EVALUATIVE MANNER | Completed |
| INTRODUCTION (TO THE CHAPTER): This section of Chapter 4 briefly restates the problem statement, the methodology, the clinical question(s) or phenomena, and offers a statement about what will be covered in this chapter. (Minimum 2-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) |
Reintroduces the purpose of the practice project.
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Briefly describes the project methodology and/or clinical question(s) tested.
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Provides an orienting statement about what will be covered in the chapter.
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| DESCRIPTIVE DATA: This section of Chapter 4 provides a narrative summary of the population or sample characteristics and demographics of the participants in the project. It establishes the number of subjects, gender, age, level (if appropriate), organization, or setting (if appropriate). The use of graphic organizers, such as tables, charts, and graphs to provide further clarification and promote readability, is encouraged. (Number of pages as needed) |
Provides a narrative summary of the population, sample characteristics, and demographics.
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Graphic organizers are used as appropriate to organize and present coded data, as well as descriptive data such as tables, histograms, graphs, and/or charts.
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| DATA ANALYSIS PROCEDURES: This section presents a description of the process that was used to analyze the data. If the clinical question(s) guided the project, data analysis procedures can be framed relative to each clinical question. Data can also be organized by the chronology of phenomena, by themes and patterns, or by other approaches as deemed appropriate accordingly for a qualitative project. (Number of pages as needed) |
Describes in detail the data analysis procedures.
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Explains and justifies any differences in why the data analysis section does not match what was approved in Chapter 3 (if appropriate).
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Provides validity and reliability of the data in statistical terms for quantitative research. Describes approaches used to ensure validity and reliability for qualitative projects.
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Identifies sources of error and potential impact on the data.
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For a quantitative project, justifies how the analysis aligns with the clinical question(s) and is appropriate for the project design. For a qualitative project justifies how data and findings were organized by chronology of phenomena, by themes and patterns, or by other approaches as deemed appropriate.
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| RESULTS: This section, which is the primary section of this chapter, presents an analysis of the data in a non-evaluative, unbiased, organized manner that relates to the clinical question(s). List the clinical question(s) as you are discussing them to ensure that the readers see that the question has been addressed. Answer the clinical question(s) in the order that they are listed. (Number of pages as needed) |
The analysis of the data is presented in a narrative, non-evaluative, unbiased, organized manner by clinical question(s).
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Includes appropriate graphic organizers such as tables, charts, graphs, and figures.
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The amount and quality of the data or information are sufficient to answer the clinical question(s), is well presented, and is intelligently analyzed.
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Qualitative: If using thematic analysis, findings are coded by major themes and subthemes using section titles. They are presented in order of significance, if appropriate. If using other qualitative data analysis approaches, data analysis is displayed using techniques specific to the method used.
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Qualitative: Data sets are summarized, including counts and examples of participant’s responses for thematic analysis. For other approaches to qualitative analysis, results may be summarized in matrices or visual formats appropriate to the method of analysis. Outlier responses are explained as appropriate.
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Quantitative: Findings are presented by clinical question(s) using section titles. They are presented in order of significance, if appropriate.
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Quantitative: Results of each statistical test are presented in an appropriate statistical format with tables, graphs, and charts.
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Quantitative: For inferential statistics, p-value and test statistics are reported.
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Quantitative: Control variables (if part of the design) are reported and discussed. Outliers, if found, were reported.
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| SUMMARY: This section provides a concise summary of what was found in the project. It briefly restates essential data and data analysis presented in this chapter, and it helps the reader see and understand the relevance of the data and analysis of the clinical question(s). Finally, it provides a lead or transition into Chapter 5, where the implications of the data and data analysis relative to the clinical question(s) will be discussed. (Minimum 1-2 pages) |
Summary of data is logically and clearly presented.
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The factual information is separated from the analysis.
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Qualitative: Summarizes the data and data analysis results in relation to the clinical question(s).
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Quantitative: Summarizes the statistical data and results of statistical tests in relation to the clinical question(s).
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Provides a concluding section and transition to Chapter 5.
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All information presented in the Chapter is scholarly, topic-related, and obtained from highly respected academic, professional, original sources. In-text citations are accurate, correctly cited, and included in the reference page according to APA standards.
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| CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS | Completed |
| INTRODUCTION: This section introduces Chapter 5 as a comprehensive summary of the entire project. It reminds the reader of the importance of the topic and briefly explains how the project intended to contribute to the body of knowledge on the topic. It informs the reader that conclusions, implications, and recommendations will be presented. (Minimum 2-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT: This section provides a comprehensive summary of the overall project that describes the content of the project to the reader in the simplest possible terms. It should recap the essential points of chapters 1-3, but it should remain a broad, comprehensive overview. (Minimum 2-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) |
Provides an overview of why the project is important and how the project was designed to contribute to our understanding of the topic.
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Reminds the reader of the clinical question(s) and the main issues.
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Provides a transition, explains what will be covered in the chapter, and reminds the reader of how the project was conducted.
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| SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: This section is organized by clinical question(s), and it conveys the specific findings of the project. It presents all conclusions made based on the data analysis and findings of the project. It relates the findings back to the literature and advancing scientific knowledge in Chapter 1. (Minimum 3-5 pages) |
Organized by the same section titles as Chapter 4, clinical question(s) or by themes.
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Significant themes/ findings are compared, contrasted, evaluated, and discussed in relation to the existing body of knowledge.
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Significance of every finding is analyzed and related to the significance section and advancing scientific knowledge section of Chapter 1.
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The conclusion summarizes the findings, refers to Chapter 1, and ties the project together.
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The findings are bounded by the project parameters described in Chapters 1 and 3.
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The findings are supported by the data and theory and directly relate to the clinical question(s).
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No unrelated or speculative information is presented in this section.
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| IMPLICATIONS: This section should describe what could happen because of this project. It also tells the reader what the project implies theoretically, practically, and for the future. (Minimum 1-4 pages) |
Provides a retrospective examination of the theoretical framework presented in Chapter 2 in relation to the practice improvement project findings.
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Critically evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the project and the degree to which the conclusions are credible given the methodology, project design, and data.
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Delineates applications of new insights derived from the practice improvement project to solve real and significant problems.
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| RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS: This section should contain a minimum of four to six recommendations for future research/projects, as well as a full explanation for why each recommendation is being made. The recommended project methodology/design should also be provided. (Minimum 1-2 pages) |
Lists a minimum of four to six recommendations for practitioners and for future research and/or projects.
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Identifies and discusses the areas that need further examination, or that will address gaps or new research/project needs the project found.
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Suggests “next steps” in forwarding this line of research/scholarly work.
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Recommendations relate back to the project's significance and advancing scientific knowledge sections in Chapter 1.
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| RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE PRACTICE: This section should contain two to five recommendations for future practice based on the results and findings of the project, as well as a full explanation for why each recommendation is being made. (Minimum 3-4 paragraphs or approximately 1 page) |
Contains two to five recommendations for future practice.
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Discusses who will benefit from reading and implementing the results of the project.
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Discusses ideas based on the results that practitioners can implement in the work or educational setting.
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Unrelated or speculative information unsupported by data is clearly identified as such.
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Recommendations relate back to the project significance section in Chapter 1.
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All information presented in the Chapter is scholarly, topic-related, and obtained from highly respected academic, professional, original sources. In-text citations are accurate, correctly cited, and included in the reference page according to APA standards.
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