{"id":24372,"date":"2012-10-27T13:21:54","date_gmt":"2012-10-27T17:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?page_id=24372"},"modified":"2026-01-12T14:14:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T19:14:34","slug":"capstone","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/mscr\/curriculum\/mscr\/capstone\/","title":{"rendered":"Capstone Project"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Students in the MSCR program are required to complete a capstone project that\u00a0applies the principles and methods learned in the coursework to a real-life clinical study.\u00a0The goal of the capstone project is to demonstrate the student\u2019s understanding of the clinical research process from both a theoretical and a practical point of view.\u00a0The capstone project is not a literature review.<\/p>\n<p>Students conduct their research in a wide variety of settings, including academic medical centers and local drug or device companies. Students generally identify their research mentor and develop their capstone proposal while they are completing their course work or practicum. The capstone research must involve the analysis and interpretation of data. Students are encouraged but are not required to conduct primary data collection. The capstone proposal, research mentors and readers must be approved by the MSCR Program Director and Assistant Director <strong>prior<\/strong> to starting the capstone project.<\/p>\n<p href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/mscr\/curriculum\/mscr\/capstone\/mscr-capstone-proposal-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-59389\">For more information please see:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/gms\/files\/2012\/10\/MSCR-Capstone-Proposal-.pdf\">MSCR-Capstone-Proposal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/gms\/files\/2012\/10\/MSCR-Capstone-Reader-Mentor-Responsibilities.pdf\">MSCR-Capstone-Reader-Mentor-Responsibilities<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/gms\/files\/2019\/08\/MSCR-Capstone-Description-Expectations-8.19.pdf\">MSCR-Capstone-Description-and-Expectations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/gms\/files\/2019\/08\/MSCR-Capstone-Paper-Presentation-Points-8.19.pdf\">MSCR Capstone Paper and Presentation-Points<\/a><a href=\"\/gms\/files\/2019\/08\/MSCR-Capstone-Description-and-Expectations-1-1.docx\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/gms\/files\/2024\/11\/MSCR-Capstone-Grading-Rubric.docx\">MSCR Capstone Grading Rubric<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table width=\"746\" height=\"314\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;\"><strong><span>IMPORTANT DATES:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4>Capstone Proposal &#8211; Due <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">2 MONTHS PRIOR<\/span> to the Capstone Due Date:<\/h4>\n<table width=\"730\" height=\"173\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Graduation Date<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Diploma Application Due Date<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Proposal Due Date<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Near Final Capstone to Readers<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Complete Capstone Due Date<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">January 2026<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">9\/16\/25<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">10\/3\/2025<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">11\/21\/2025<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">12\/3\/2025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">May 2026<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">12\/1\/25<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">2\/2\/2026<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">3\/18\/26<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">4\/1\/26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">August 2026<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">4\/30\/26<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">5\/15\/2026<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">7\/20\/2026<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">8\/3\/2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table width=\"748\" height=\"236\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;\">IMPORTANT REMINDERS:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span><em><strong>Each section<\/strong><\/em> <\/span>of the Capstone Paper should be submitted upon conclusion so that the paper is developed with the Readers input <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">throughout the process<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>You must allow your readers <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><em>sufficient time<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span> to review and make comments to your paper.<\/li>\n<li>Your approved, <span><em><strong>near final paper must be completed\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><em><strong>2 weeks prior<\/strong> <\/em><\/span><\/span>to the due date.<\/li>\n<li><span><em><strong>Near Final Paper<\/strong><\/em><\/span><strong><span> <\/span><\/strong><em><span><strong>includes all the section of your Capstone project including: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;\">BACKGROUND, METHODS, RESULTS &amp; DISCUSSION<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The <strong>FIRST STEP<\/strong> in the capstone project process is developing and presenting the <a href=\"\/gms\/files\/2012\/10\/MSCR-Capstone-Proposal-.pdf\">MSCR-Capstone-Proposal\u00a0<\/a>to the MSCR Director and Assistant Director for approval\u00a0prior to embarking on the project.\u00a0The proposal is\u00a0usually 1-2 pages and describes the nature of the research, with a clear statement of the research question or hypothesis.<\/p>\n<p>The proposal should include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A clear description of the\u00a0specific primary outcome measure that will be used to answer the study question<\/li>\n<li>A brief description of the planned statistical analysis<\/li>\n<li>A\u00a0description of your role in the research- at a minimum, your role should include\u00a0formulating and conducting the analysis, and interpreting and writing up the results<\/li>\n<li>A proposed timeline for completion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Capstone Readers<\/h4>\n<p>Each MSCR student must select at least two readers for their capstone project including the research mentor and a GMS Faculty member.<\/p>\n<h4>Capstone Forms<\/h4>\n<p>After you meet with the Director, the Assistant Director and have identified your readers, the next steps are to complete the and the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/cNF44iUnmEGabMXu8\">MSCR Capstone Form.<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>IRB Review<\/h4>\n<p><span><\/span><span>The IRB must pre-review any activities that meet the <a title=\"Definitions\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/irb\/submission-requirements\/when-to-submit\/definitions\/\">definition<\/a> of <i>research <\/i>involving<i> human subjects<\/i> or the <a title=\"Definitions\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/irb\/submission-requirements\/when-to-submit\/definitions\/\">definition<\/a> of <i>clinical investigation<\/i> if these activities will be conducted by anyone acting as an <i>employee or agent<\/i> of Boston Medical Center or Boston University Medical Campus. The IRB must also pre-review any activities involving the use of protected health information (PHI) by anyone acting as an <em>employee or agent <\/em>of Boston Medical Center or Boston University Medical Campus, even if the use does not constitute BMC or BU engagement in human subjects research. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/irb\/submission-requirements\/when-to-submit\/\">For more information<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Required Plagiarism Check Prior to Thesis\/Dissertation Submission<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>All capstone, thesis and dissertation documents must be scanned using Turnitin plagiarism detection software prior to final submission to your Program\/ Department and the Registrar.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Turnitin similarity report must be approved by your mentor, advisor, first reader (BU faculty) or external committee member(s) depending on the GMS program.<\/li>\n<li>Turnitin similarity report must be submitted to your program director prior to thesis\/dissertation submission to the registrar<\/li>\n<li>This is the student\u2019s responsibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/academics\/research-thesis-dissertation\/turnitin\/\">Turnitin Directions<\/a>:<\/strong>\u00a0 Turnitin compares your work with existing online publications and allows you to confidentially check your written work for potential plagiarism.\u00a0 With a close inspection of the Turnitin results, you may also identify incorrect quotations and missing citations. All students have access to the online tool throughout their time in GMS.\u00a0 \u00a0Directions and tips for usage can be\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/academics\/research-thesis-dissertation\/turnitin\/\">found here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/f-a-qs-turnitin-draft-coach\/\"><strong>Google Doc Turnitin Draft Coach:<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 If you use Google Doc for writing your paper, you also have the option to use\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/f-a-qs-turnitin-draft-coach\/\">Google Doc Turnitin Draft Coach<\/a>\u00a0for checking the\u00a0<strong>initial drafts<\/strong>\u00a0of your work. However, note that as a requirement for submitting your thesis or dissertation, you should generate and download the Turnitin similarity report through this GMS Plagiarism Check Blackboard course.<\/p>\n<h4>Oral\u00a0Presentation<\/h4>\n<h4><em>NOTE: Students are required to attend at least two Capstone presentations in order to graduate<\/em><\/h4>\n<p>Once the near final draft is approved by the readers, the student will give a 20 minute oral presentation on the capstone project to the readers, research mentor, MSCR students and faculty members, and any other interested parties. The purpose of the oral presentation is to demonstrate the student\u2019s ability (1) to describe clearly the research question, methods, and results, (2) to demonstrate his\/her understanding of study design and analytic principles and methods, and (3) to place his\/her research into a clinical context. The presentation is followed by a brief question and answer period. Oral presentations will take place 1-2 weeks after the Capstone due date.<\/p>\n<h4>Capstone Submission for Graduation<\/h4>\n<p>The <strong>FINAL STEP<\/strong> in the Capstone process is to submit to the Assistance Director a <em><strong>final approved, copy <\/strong><\/em>of the abstract adhering to the <a href=\"\/gms\/files\/2019\/08\/Abstract-Formatting.docx\">GMS formatting guidelines<\/a>.\u00a0 The abstract will then be submitted to the GMS Registrar, along with the requisite graduation paperwork, as confirmation of the successful completion of the Capstone Project. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>**Please note, you will submit your abstract <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ONLY AFTER your Readers have agreed<\/span><\/em><\/span> that your Capstone paper is in its near final form.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Students in the MSCR program are required to complete a capstone project that\u00a0applies the principles and methods learned in the coursework to a real-life clinical study.\u00a0The goal of the capstone project is to demonstrate the student\u2019s understanding of the clinical research process from both a theoretical and a practical point of view.\u00a0The capstone project is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2491,"featured_media":0,"parent":24240,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24372"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2491"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24372"}],"version-history":[{"count":54,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24372\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":106129,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24372\/revisions\/106129"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}