Resource Guides: Capstone Resources: Parts of the paper (2024)

FAQs

How many sources should a capstone paper have? ›

Your capstone project should be at least 45 pages in length with an adequate amount of references, about 12–14 sources.

The Six Components of a Capstone Paper. A comprehensive capstone paper typically consists of six key components that are essential for its success. These components include an introduction, literature review, methodology, discussion, conclusion, and recommendations.

I usually tell my students a good rule of thumb is about one source per page of the assignment length. If a teacher assigns a 10–20 page research essay, you need 10–20 sources. If it's 5–7 pages, you need about 5–7 sources.

As a general rule of thumb, you should aim for one source for your paper's reference list per 150 words. Here's a breakdown by essay size: 1500-word essay: Aim for at least 10 sources in the reference list. 2000-word essay: Aim for at least 13 sources in the reference list.

However, most capstone projects are generally around 20-50 pages long when written as a research paper. For the undergraduate level, a capstone project is usually around 20-30 pages long, while graduate-level capstone projects tend to be longer, around 30-50 pages.

General formatting guidelines for capstone project books: Use 8.5" x 11" paper with one-inch margins on all sides. Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in 12-point size. Double-space all text, including the abstract, references, and appendices.

It is intended to be 50-60 double spaced pages in length and should be connected to the student's area of study. Students only need to complete either a thesis OR a capstone project.

Starting a capstone project can be an exciting but challenging experience. Here are some tips that can help you get started: Identify a clear research question or problem statement: Make sure you have a well-defined question or problem that you want to address. This will guide your research and keep you focused.

Research projects focus more on developing or proposing theories, whereas capstone projects focus more on achieving tangible or intangible results through research.

How do you prepare for a capstone? ›

A capstone summary is a culminating set of experiences that summarize and demonstrate understanding and application.

There is no official rule, as every paper is different with varying requirements specified by the Instructor. If your Instructor is not clear, here are some general guidelines: Usually 3-4 reliable sources should be sufficient. This should be enough external information to complement your original thoughts/ideas.

The amount of references in a 3,000 word essay can vary depending on the subject matter and project criteria. However, as a general rule, a 3,000-word essay should include at least 18–24 references. It is critical to remember that the quality and relevancy of the references are more essential than the quantity.

Generally, you need to use one to two references for the point you are trying to make. Roughly, for a 1500-word essay, this makes a minimum of 10 references. This, however, also depends on the topic or the subject you are covering in the essay.