TESU LIB495/Capstone

[omuneek]

First of all, thanks for the guidance and support you guys have given me since I started the journey of earning a college degree.  I am taking my final class at TESU - the almighty capstone!  I made it through Writing Assignment 2.  My grade was 94 on WA #1 and 80 on WA #2.  So, as you can see, my grade is on the decline.    Did you guys have to write about "how" you plan on researching your topic? That is one of our discussion questions.  

My topic is: Illiteracy in America - Causes, Affects, and Solutions
Couple questions:
1. How did you go about researching your topic?  I have not been able to locate any helpful "books" on my topic.  Everything I have found has been online.

2.  Is it mandatory to conduct surveys or interviews?  I have noticed several students using those methods.

3.  Does anyone have sample papers that I may use for formatting purposes?  As a template...

Your help is greatly appreciated.  (fingers crossed)

[Lewis.Yim]

I'm in the August 2018 Capstone! I just started with the first Introductions and so on. Did your mentor not send you examples? We were provided two or three examples for each of the writings before the class started. I think I had a few links to some added to my thread, it may also be on the Wiki.

DF Wiki: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Degree_Forum_Wiki
Capstone & Links: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/TESU_Capstone
My LIB495 August 2018 Thread: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...-2018-Term

[omuneek]

I'm in the August 2018 Capstone!  I just started with the first Introductions and so on.  Did your mentor not send you examples?  We were provided two or three examples for each of the writings before the class started.  I think I had a few links to some added to my thread, it may also be on the Wiki.  

DF Wiki: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Degree_Forum_Wiki
Capstone & Links: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/TESU_Capstone
My LIB495 August 2018 Thread: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...-2018-Term

Thank you very much!

[nashpond]

First of all, thanks for the guidance and support you guys have given me since I started the journey of earning a college degree.  I am taking my final class at TESU - the almighty capstone!  I made it through Writing Assignment 2.  My grade was 94 on WA #1 and 80 on WA #2.  So, as you can see, my grade is on the decline.    Did you guys have to write about "how" you plan on researching your topic? That is one of our discussion questions.  

My topic is: Illiteracy in America - Causes, Affects, and Solutions
Couple questions:
1. How did you go about researching your topic?  I have not been able to locate any helpful "books" on my topic.  Everything I have found has been online.

2.  Is it mandatory to conduct surveys or interviews?  I have noticed several students using those methods.

3.  Does anyone have sample papers that I may use for formatting purposes?  As a template...

Your help is greatly appreciated.  (fingers crossed)

Make sure to pay close attention to APA formatting.  Follow the instructions in the e-Textbook very carefully.  The Purdue OWL site was very useful for double-checking that I had my formatting correct.

Also, don't be afraid to contact your mentor to ask for advice.  My mentor was lovely and encouraged us to get in touch with her (Nina Haydel for any of you out there who are deciding what mentor to choose).

I used lots of online articles.  Google Scholar is an amazing resource.  You will be inundated with scholarly works.

The capstone needs to include your own original research/creative project.  Without knowing much about the angle of your topic, I would suggest you interview people that have experienced illiteracy first hand, like adults struggling with illiteracy, and those who are in a place to support illiterate adults, like social workers, literacy volunteers, etc.  You may also be able to find someone in the government (local would be easier than federal) who has some input on public policy. 

After you pull together all your experts' opinions and report the results of your research, you will have the chance to make your own recommendations on your topic.

Good luck!

[davewill]

I used the free online databases linked through Moodle and the NJ State Library and a little Googling to do all my research. Everyone should apply for their free NJ State Library card as soon as they become a TESU student. The free resources are great.

Some people have reported that their mentors required them to conduct primary research. It would be easiest to go ahead and ask your mentor whether that's required or not. I was very grateful I didn't have to deal with that headache.

[omuneek]

First of all, thanks for the guidance and support you guys have given me since I started the journey of earning a college degree.  I am taking my final class at TESU - the almighty capstone!  I made it through Writing Assignment 2.  My grade was 94 on WA #1 and 80 on WA #2.  So, as you can see, my grade is on the decline.    Did you guys have to write about "how" you plan on researching your topic? That is one of our discussion questions.  

My topic is: Illiteracy in America - Causes, Affects, and Solutions
Couple questions:
1. How did you go about researching your topic?  I have not been able to locate any helpful "books" on my topic.  Everything I have found has been online.

2.  Is it mandatory to conduct surveys or interviews?  I have noticed several students using those methods.

3.  Does anyone have sample papers that I may use for formatting purposes?  As a template...

Your help is greatly appreciated.  (fingers crossed)

Make sure to pay close attention to APA formatting.  Follow the instructions in the e-Textbook very carefully.  The Purdue OWL site was very useful for double-checking that I had my formatting correct.

Also, don't be afraid to contact your mentor to ask for advice.  My mentor was lovely and encouraged us to get in touch with her (Nina Haydel for any of you out there who are deciding what mentor to choose).

I used lots of online articles.  Google Scholar is an amazing resource.  You will be inundated with scholarly works.

The capstone needs to include your own original research/creative project.  Without knowing much about the angle of your topic, I would suggest you interview people that have experienced illiteracy first hand, like adults struggling with illiteracy, and those who are in a place to support illiterate adults, like social workers, literacy volunteers, etc.  You may also be able to find someone in the government (local would be easier than federal) who has some input on public policy. 

After you pull together all your experts' opinions and report the results of your research, you will have the chance to make your own recommendations on your topic.

Good luck!

Google Scholar is a new tip! Thank you!  Perhaps I will conduct an interview to gather information on how individuals are affected first-hand.  That's a great idea.  My only concern is I wonder how many people must I interview and at what point is that interview used within the project?  Like, we are on Writing Assignment 3 where we must demonstrate how we plan to go about conducting our research.  I guess when I start putting it all together, I can pull that info in.

---

I used the free online databases linked through Moodle and the NJ State Library and a little Googling to do all my research. Everyone should apply for their free NJ State Library card as soon as they become a TESU student. The free resources are great.

Some people have reported that their mentors required them to conduct primary research. It would be easiest to go ahead and ask your mentor whether that's required or not. I was very grateful I didn't have to deal with that headache.

Davewill you were the first to assist me on this journey.  I discovered this board and asked for assistance with assigning transfer credits at TESU along with a roadmap to completion, and you provided that to me.  Thank you!  I am on the home stretch now - the almighty Capstone. 

So far, I have done ok, but I am still terrified each time I hit the Submit button.  I am not finding a lot of information on my topic other than online.  Perhaps, I chose the wrong sub-questions. 

Nashpond suggested conducting interviews.  I would like to do that, but I am not sure how best to use the information.  Another question I have is are surveys, graphs, observations, and such mandatory.  I will pose that question to my mentor.  Did you complete any surveys or interviews, etc.?

[nashpond]

[quote pid='266506' dateline='1533760279']
 Nashpond suggested conducting interviews.  I would like to do that, but I am not sure how best to use the information.  Another question I have is are surveys, graphs, observations, and such mandatory.  I will pose that question to my mentor.  Did you complete any surveys or interviews, etc.?
[/quote]
My topic involved integrating nutrition and exercise into the treatment of anxiety and depression.  I had an online survey/questionnaire and I did telephone interviews.  My target participants were health professionals that treat patients/clients with anxiety/depression, including M.D.s, psychiatrists, APRNs, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, naturopaths, and physical therapists.

If you are only able to get a small number of participants, you may find interviews to give you the most/best qualitative data.

I created graphs to illustrate the breakdown of my statistics.  I believe the visuals are something they are looking to see included in the capstone.  The way they are used will really depend on the data you are trying to show.

[Supermind]

I used the free online databases linked through Moodle and the NJ State Library and a little Googling to do all my research. Everyone should apply for their free NJ State Library card as soon as they become a TESU student. The free resources are great.

Some people have reported that their mentors required them to conduct primary research. It would be easiest to go ahead and ask your mentor whether that's required or not. I was very grateful I didn't have to deal with that headache.

Hi Dave. Could you please guide me as to what is the procedure for availing NJ state library’s services? I tried enrolling with them. They tried to cross-verify with a TESU if I am enrolled with them, and TESU seems to have replied that I am not enrolled!! NJ State Library has written to me that I will be enrolled with TESU only if I take their credit by tuition plan. I am very confused! What is my status right now? Am i enrolled at TESU or not? Can I avail of their services or not? 

[Merlin]

I used the free online databases linked through Moodle and the NJ State Library and a little Googling to do all my research. Everyone should apply for their free NJ State Library card as soon as they become a TESU student. The free resources are great.

Some people have reported that their mentors required them to conduct primary research. It would be easiest to go ahead and ask your mentor whether that's required or not. I was very grateful I didn't have to deal with that headache.

Hi Dave. Could you please guide me as to what is the procedure for availing NJ state library’s services? I tried enrolling with them. They tried to cross-verify with a TESU if I am enrolled with them, and TESU seems to have replied that I am not enrolled!! NJ State Library has written to me that I will be enrolled with TESU only if I take their credit by tuition plan. I am very confused! What is my status right now? Am i enrolled at TESU or not? Can I avail of their services or not? 

Hmm, I signed up for a NJ State Library card right after I registered for my capstone. When they looked up my information I was likewise declined because I wasn't enrolled. I explained that my enrollment was pending the start of the term. Since the term start date was only a few weeks away (and enrollment kicks in 9-10 days after term start) they gave me a temporary/limited library ID number that expired in a month. Once they were able to validate my enrollment I was upgraded to regular access and the expiration date was extended by a year. They also sent me a physical library card in the mail.

So, no you don't need to be on the comprehensive tuition plan if that is what you meant.

If your student status shows as enrolled in OSS, you should be golden; I don't know why you'd be declined. From what I was told, the NJ State Library and TESU are part of the same organization, so the library should be able to verify your enrollment status without jumping through hoops.

I'd check OSS to make sure you're actually enrolled! If so, you should contact them since maybe there was a technical glitch or something. If not, you may want to contact TESU.

[Supermind]

Hi Merlin. My OSS says ‘Corporate Choice Enrolled’. Every time, my transcripts are evaluated, I get an email acknowledgement with the title ‘Enrolled’. This is the 5th or 6th time I am enrolled in TESU!

This is what NJ State Library wrote to me:

We are sorry to tell you that the TESU Registrar’s office has advised that you are not an enrolled student. If you believe this is an error, please review the University’s enrollment FAQs or please contact the TESU Registrar's office. If you become an enrolled student, please reapply for a card at that time.

Per TESU enrollment information:

Enrollment:

Graduate students are considered enrolled when they have been accepted into the graduate program and have registered for their first course(s).

Enrollment:

An undergraduate student's enrollment date is defined as the date the University receives the Comprehensive Tuition or the 10th day of a term in which the student enrolls under the Per Credit Tuition Plan. This tuition covers a period of one year of service. Students who are enrolled in the Per Credit Tuition Plan must earn at least three Thomas Edison State University credits in each continuous 12 month period to maintain activity.