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Briefly describe the topic and why you are considering this for your capstone project: Include an
introduction, statement of need and purpose and description of the project. (You can attach as a separate
document if desired.)
Disaster management project is focusing on the implementation of house preparedness kits.
Introduction
Disaster management remains as one of the significant problems that the various agencies may face
today. In most cases, disaster management agencies may fail to implement the right principles and practices due
to the lack of proper training and also resources. For example, the case of the September 11 attack showed that
the disaster management agencies operated under practices and guidelines not shaped to help in such a situation.
Very few agencies operated with the right strategies to act as remedies to such an incidence and thus the
witnessed casualties. Therefore, such agencies must plan adequately and equip themselves with the right
equipment as well as resources to handle any arising issues of such kind.
Statement of need
Today, many disaster management agencies only concern themselves with developing strategies for
themselves (Janssen, Lee, Bharosa & Cresswell, 2010). In most cases, few agencies engage in sensitizing the
general public on the need to remain vigilant with the respective strategies to help them manage a given disaster
before getting the necessary help. As a result, when disasters happen, the various households get affected in a
significant way making it hard for them to assist themselves before the respective agencies arrive. Therefore,
this project will focus primarily on the empowering of households with regards to preparing for any disasters.
Purpose of the project
Primarily, this project will focus on developing a manner in which the various agencies will educate the
households on the need to remain vigilant with regards to preparing for disasters. For instance, the project will
help the households understand the roles that they may play in assisting themselves for a given period before the
arrival of the emergency response teams in case of a disaster. Instead of just highlighting the need to remain
vigilant, this project will offer a solution that each household should observe and implement with the aim of
preparing in advance for the various disasters. One crucial thing that the research needs to account for during
this project revolves around the fact that it will help the households to prepare for multiple as opposed to a
single disaster thereby making it effective and adaptable.
Description of the project
This project includes the development of an educational program in the form of a sensitization campaign
based on the desire to equip the households on the need to prepare themselves without necessarily depending on
the emergency response teams to assist them when a disaster happens. Therefore, the project will first evaluate
the underlying state of preparedness of the target community with regards to responding or mitigating disasters.
Then, the project will provide the necessary details that revolve around the implementation of a house
preparedness kit for every household. The project thus revolves around championing for the use of house
preparedness kits by various households about responding to disasters.
What will be the product you produce as part of your final work? Describe or bullet list but be specific.
(educational program, handbook, EOP, new technology, etc.) This deliverable must be clearly stated.
Specifics are needed on what the project will do and how you will do it. Detail your methods.
Major deliverable
The completion of this project will produce a high-level educational program, handbook and also user
manual that will help the households to prepare in advance for any types of disasters. One significant limitation
of this project comes from the fact that it will primarily focus on the significant disasters such as earthquakes,
floods, fires and also hurricanes. However, the selection of these disasters comes from the evaluation of the
target users with regards to the households that will benefit from this project. The development of the home
preparation kit for the households will enable the target users to gather all the information and assets that they
may require about responding to a disaster before the emergency response teams arrive to rescue them.
Equipping the households acts as the first line of defense before the disaster management and response teams
arrive. Besides, most households usually suffer due to the lack of proper planning with regards to a disaster. The
educational program will comprise of various topics of interest that revolve around emergency preparedness and
the way in which one should respond to a disaster. Secondly, the program will contain information on the
resources that a household will require in case a disaster happens. The handbook will contain the specific
requirements as mentioned in the educational program to help the households prepare in advance. Further, the
handbook will contain information on the events that can lead to the activation of the house preparation kit
(Baker & Baker, 2010). Further, the handbook will offer information on the line of command for each
household citing the best communication channel to follow in case the primary lines fail.
Methods to complete the work
In completing this project, one will require to gather as much information as possible with regards to the
kind of disasters common within the target area. The second thing to include evaluating the content that the
house preparation kit will contain. The project will further require an evaluation of the past literature on the
necessary levels of preparedness that each community within the selected region operates under. Besides, the
project must contain the recommendations by the government on the content and also standards of each house
preparation kits to guarantee consistency across all the target households. Therefore, the project completion
must provide additional material such as a pamphlet with a description of the contents of the kits meant for the
various households, a user manual that highlights the purpose and use of each of the contained material and also
a description of the method and events of its activation.
Does your project require Institutional Review Board approval? Yes _________ No _________
Once approved by the faculty, you need to craft the 15 page (minimum) first draft for full review before
registering for the capstone term.
Proposal complete and acceptable: Date: _____________ DMM review: ________________
IRB forms accepted by program
Date: _____________ DMM processed: _____________
IRB committee approval received: Date: ______________
Approval to begin capstone term
Date: ______________ DMM approval: _______________
Students are required to complete the planning and project development process before registering for Capstone
term.
References
Janssen, M., Lee, J., Bharosa, N., & Cresswell, A. (2010). Advances in multi-agency disaster management: Key
elements in disaster research. Information Systems Frontiers, 12(1), 1-7.
Baker, L. R., & Baker, M. D. (2010). Disaster preparedness among families of children with special health care
needs. Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 4(3), 240-245.
DMM Capstone/Master’s Project Planning document
Review the Capstone Guidelines documents. Identify what type of project your work will fall into:
_____________________________________________________________________
Briefly describe the topic and why you are considering this for your capstone project: Include an introduction,
statement of need and purpose and description of the project. (You can attach as a separate document if desired.)
What will be the product you produce as part of your final work? Describe or bullet list but be specific.
(educational program, handbook, EOP, new technology, etc.) This deliverable must be clearly stated. Specifics are
needed on what the project will do and how you will do it. Detail your methods.
Does your project require Institutional Review Board approval? No
Once approved by the faculty you need to craft the 15 page (minimum) first draft for full review before registering for
the capstone term.
DMM Capstone/Master’s Project
The final experience of the Master of Science degree in Disaster Medicine and Management is
creation of the “capstone” project. This project is intended to provide participants with an
opportunity to focus both practical and research interests into one significant document.
Students will identify their areas of interest from the very first DMM course they have taken and
add key elements to this list every term. By course six, students will be in the project
development phase.
•
•
Once the faculty approves the project idea – you will write the first draft of the project
and submit this prior to the term you intend to take the capstone class. The faculty will
review this draft and decide if you are ready to implement the project.
See item below if Institutional Review Board is needed!
Once approved, register for capstone and complete the project within the twelve week
term. Anticipate 40 -100 pages ( including appendices) of work – it is a substantive
project and analysis.
The learning objectives for this experience are as follows:
1. An applied project provides the opportunity to take a concept based on an identified need
through needs assessment, creation, implementation and evaluation.
2. Perform a thorough literature search on a specific topic using the appropriate databases
and resources
3. Critically evaluate and analyze current research with regard to the research methodology
used and its relevance to practice in the field of disaster medicine or management
4. Integrate the basic principles of disaster medicine and management along with content
from the courses in the DMM Program and outside sources to develop and implement a
master’s project that delivers an applied project demonstrating your abilities to
analytically research and create new, innovative materials.
5. Prepare a written report of the master’s capstone project using acceptable APA format
and writing skills.
6. Deliver an organized oral presentation that summarizes the master’s project according to
guidelines provided by your project advisor.
General description and project choices
In this capstone experience, students will complete a project that demonstrates the integration of
academic materials into real life situations. The master’s capstone project integrates knowledge
and skills developed throughout the entire program. The project will involve choosing a topic;
performing a thorough review and analysis of current research literature on the topic; and
producing an original written or deliverable product. For example, it may contain original
research through data collection; an exhaustive analysis of current research data to reach original
or innovative conclusions or recommendations; the development of a disaster education plan; the
creation of a disaster plan for an agency in which the participant is employed; or an internship
with creation of, or substantial revision to, the disaster plan at the site. There is much room for
creativity in the final product and careful thought should be given to the substance of the project
or research study. All of these will involve a thorough literature search, an analysis of the
current research, integration of multiple facets of disaster medicine and management and
completion of a substantial written product. Early and continuous contact with the participant’s
advisor is both encouraged and required.
The experience will culminate in an oral presentation to faculty and participants with written
submission of the final project. Work will be judged by the master’s capstone project committee
who will be responsible for recommending revisions and determining the final grade. The
project is graded on a credit only basis, not using traditional letter grades. Possible outcomes
include full approval, approval with recommendations for revision, or return for substantial
modification.
No final project will be undertaken without the submission of a project proposal document that
will be reviewed by the DMM faculty. The project will be developed under the guidance of a
faculty advisor. Participants must integrate knowledge of basic principles of disaster
management, organizational dynamics in disasters, statistics, research methods and disaster
planning into the project. All data collection involving human subjects will need approval of
the Institutional Review Board of Philadelphia University. Allow time to complete the IRB
application and one full term for the University IRB committee to review.
DETAILS
Students must choose one of the options described below
The following are examples of types of project areas for consideration or request an
individualized plan:
Educational Experience: This experience includes guided self-paced instruction in the
fundamental tools utilized in education for students wishing to pursue a project that delivers
an educational program. Students will learn how to: conduct a needs assessment, write
behavioral learning objectives, prepare an assessment tool, prepare class materials, prepare
AV presentations using new technologies, and present a lecture or training experience. They
will create the opportunity and present this educational program to the appropriate audience.
Students will keep a portfolio of their experience and prepared materials.
Example: disaster education to middle school or high school aged children.
Community Service Experience- This option will provide students with an opportunity to
work closely with community organizations to identify significant disaster related issues. In
addition, the student is expected to provide education services on a topic of the student’s
interest within the community, while enabling students with the skills to develop, implement
and evaluate community disaster initiatives. Students will keep a portfolio of their experience
and prepared materials.
Examples are:
•
Creating a nutritional program for disaster relief workers as well as shelter coordinators.
•
Creating an original disaster plan for some unit of government or other appropriate
agency. This project will be all-inclusive and will address every component within this
type of document. It should not be a plan for a fictitious location, however. In some
cases, the plan may be a total revision of an existing plan; however, if this approach is
taken, it will be necessary to show both the existing and desired configurations and
justify the suggested changes. This document is, by its nature, very significant in
volume, given the objectives of comprehensive disaster plans.
•
Creating a detailed grant application-type narrative that presents a new initiative for an
agency involved in disaster management. This document will contain the standard
elements of need, substance, methods, personnel and budget that would constitute a
framework for a real grant for use when the opportunity for real grant submission arises.
The funded project focus must be innovative and very well documented. Ideally this
would be submitted to a grant agency.
Medical Writing Experience: Students will perform a thorough literature search on one topic
of interest. They will utilize this information to prepare an article for journal submission
using accepted formats and the principles of evidence-based writing. (This is not just writing
a paper, this is an analytical review and creation of new ideas and materials of publishable
quality.) Students will present their work orally to fellow students, faculty and preceptors,
and in written format. Actual submission to a journal such as the American Journal of
Disaster Medicine, Prehospital Disaster Medicine, etc. will be expected.
Examples are:
•
A thorough review of a disaster-related topic that examines the literature in detail and
presents unbiased research. This review will be presented as an original document
and should be considered to be a credible document that is designed to further the
understanding of disaster managers and providers regarding the topic choice.
•
An in-depth “special focus” analysis of a significant issue. Such an analysis may take
the form of an after action investigation, similar to the commissioned study of
Pennsylvania’s I-78 traffic event which occurred in the winter of 2007. Examine the
Witt Report in a downloadable file under COURSE DOCUMENTS.
Applied Research Experience: Students will prepare a proposal for, and carry out a small
applied research project which will include the collection and analysis of data such as survey
information. Students will present their work orally to fellow students, faculty and
preceptors, and in written format (requires IRB Approval).
All of the capstone projects should be of sufficient quality to create a poster for conference
submission. Students are encouraged to submit work for either poster presentations or conference
presentations to various conference venues.
Note: There is much room for creativity and scholarly activity within the Capstone experience;
participants should select a project based both on personal interest and utility for those who will
benefit from it. Early thought regarding the substance of the project is required as this is a
substantive work. This work will showcase your best efforts and demands more time than the
twelve week term.
All projects must be approved by the assigned Master’s Capstone Committee. The Committee
will guide the student’s efforts. The Master’s Capstone Committee will do the final appraisal of
the project.
Students will have the rest of the program to complete the work, registering for capstone during
the final phase of project creation.
STEPS IN CREATION OF THE PROPOSAL AND THE FINAL DOCUMENT
Activity
During class 6
Idea formation
DOCUMENT
ONE-the first
3 sections
Continue
Literature
Review
Throughout
process
Capstone
term
Conducting the
project/study
Conceptualize nature of project by thinking of a study
area that will suit both interests and your course
objectives. You may begin by interviewing professional
colleagues, reviewing the literature and otherwise thinking
about the subject and substance of the final product.
Review areas of interest and work previously submitted.
Develop the project document according to the format
provided in this document. Note that, in some cases, the
project document is flexible as the project begins to take
conceptual shape. It is important, however, to have
substance in response to each of the elements in the
document. Prepare data collection process, educational
material, methodology pieces as required by the project.
Frequent contact will be expected between student and
faculty during this process. Create a schedule that assures
this occurs. An outline including a timeline will assist you
in organizing your approach to complete the project. This
should include the critical actions required including
faculty review and approval, IRB approval process if
required, data collection, and analysis.
Submit project draft and receive approval.
Conduct and assemble a substantial literature review of
sources that are recent and relevant. Significant or
historical literature of the field may lend credence to your
review also. Craft your literature review carefully and
form the pages in a running narrative rather than an
annotation-type format. See the Sample Literature Review
that is listed under COURSE DOCUMENTS for the
course. The literature review is a substantial segment of
the final document; be certain that you cite and relate all
pertinent literature that has a meaningful relationship to
your project.
Review data collection process, educational material,
methodology pieces as required by the project.
Conduct the substance of the project/study by clearly
defining terms, identifying issues, preparing documents
such as forms, outlines, exhibits, models, and other
elements that you choose to include. Collection of data as
needed should be underway once IRB approval is
Time Frame
Begin at course 6
and discuss with
faculty. Formal
step, begins the
approval process
for your project
Create over courses
6-8. Consult with
faculty as needed.
Approval is required
before implementing
the project.
Must be completed
and approved 6 – 8
weeks before
capstone term
begins. If project
requires IRB, must
be completed one
full term before
capstone term.
Continuing from the
initial project work,
you should add to
the literature review
as you continue to
process your
capstone ideas and
research. Send
drafts to faculty at
least once a term.
Occurs throughout
the process but
should be complete
by week 2 of the
capstone term.
Capstone term,
after IRB approval
received if required.
Active role in
blackboard
received. Submit drafts at least every other week in
Blackboard discussion area.
Conference
Continuing the
capstone term
Reference List
Potential
Publications
Project
Submission
Arrange a telephone conference with your adviser to
discuss any issues, solicit feedback and report on
progress.
Finalize the project/study narrative by developing any
pertinent conclusions, expectations for the use of your
product, and implications for further study. Create the
deliverable as agreed upon in the planning phase. Submit
final draft.
Often these deliverable components are found
as Appendices to your work.
Schedule with your adviser the presentation day and time.
A final draft must be submitted one week before your
presentation for the faculty to review. If not submitted or
unacceptable, the presentation will be delayed.
Finalize the Reference List (note that no references appear
in the project Reference List that are not cited
internally). You are not creating a simple list of works that
refer to the topic.
Create a PowerPoint presentation to assist in delivering
your presentation to the faculty at the assigned time.
discussion boards
required, follow
schedule
During week 3,5,7,9
or as needed, drafts
required
Capstone term
Continues
Schedule
presentation for
weeks 10 or 11
Active role in
blackboard
discussion boards
required, follow
schedule
Create presentation
in PowerPoint,
present project at
assigned time in
week 10 or 11.
Revise work based
on faculty comments
post presentation.
On a separate paper (included after the Reference Page)
Upon submission
identify at least three publications that would be likely
targets for publication of your study; indicate why you
think each publication would be interested. It is acceptable
to identify a venue that would be suitable to a presentation
or poster presentation as well.
Submit the final project to your adviser; you will submit it No later than end of
according to the directions provided in the Blackboard
12th week
Course; the final physical product will be described in this
document.
If you are unable to finish the capstone within the allotted
term limits, you will need to register the following term
for DMM 755E to continue your work to conclusion.
Recognize that there is a tuition charge to do so.
ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT PLANNING:
Once you have developed your concept submit the Capstone Planning tool To us
Faculty will review and provide comments and suggestions. When an agreed upon project
is clarified, move to the next phase.
Submit the first draft (This is the critical first document you will submit according to the
schedule noted in the table above; during the time you are taking classes 6-8.) A minimum of 15
pages is expected to cover these areas:
I. Title of the project
II. A significant statement of the purpose of the project.
III. Need for the study, including literature support. This includes the value of the project
answering why such an effort is needed for/by what constituents. In addition these
pages comprise the first pages of the final product. This is a critical element in the
entire process, for the project must have demonstrable need to some constituency, the
study of disaster medicine or management, and must be considered worthy of
academic pursuit. Document your needs pages carefully by citing appropriate sources
that will substantiate your rationale or otherwise illustrate why such a project should
be undertaken. Do not necessarily look for literature that says “this topic needs more
research”; rather, find sources that substantiate your perceptions of the topic’s
relevance to the field.
IV. Initial literature review – This section provides the academic foundation for your work.
Understand that this section will continue to grow over the time of project
development.
V. Methods to be used –Describe the methods that you will use in completing the project.
Make certain that your methods statement is both clear and sequential. This narrative
will be duplicated within the project itself.
VI. Arrange telephone consulting as needed in this process. This is the time to identify any
issues in project development and direction.
This document must be approved by your advisor no later than the one month prior to
registering for the capstone course. Issues in design, format, IRB requirements (if applicable)
must be resolved no later than this date. Any problems that are unresolved are the sole
responsibility of the participant; therefore, make sure all of the required elements in the Proposal
are included in the final document.
NOTE: IRB approval requires two months and a solid project narrative, all data gathering tools
and the IRB Application.
ELEMENTS OF THE FINAL PROJECT DOCUMENT (This is the written document that
will comprise the substance of the Capstone experience; it will be detailed, carefully documented
and will clearly define the purpose of the project, its potential use in the practice and/or the
literature of the field of disaster medicine or management.)
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
VIII.
document)
Title Page
Signature page (see COURSE DOCUMENTS)
Abstract
A significant statement of the topic and need for the project; statement of
delimitations if any
Academic foundation – a well developed literature review covering pertinent
topics
Methods - detailed
Discussion, conclusions, recommendations, implications for further study or
similar projects
References
Appendices as needed – your actual project deliverable materials will be here
Separate - suggested publication page (not numbered or part of the project
You will be pointed to additional elements (as needed) in the Capstone course shell.
PHYSICAL FORMAT OF THE FINAL DOCUMENT
The final product will be presented in a bound-document format. Participants will be informed
about the process that will be used in the formal submission of the project or study. Specific
directions will be provided in COURSE DOCUMENTS. As well, there is a signature form that
will need to be completed.
FORMAT OF FINAL PRESENTATION
The final presentation to your advisor and other members of the faculty may take several forms.
Of course, there will be a conference wherein participants will present an oral summary, and will
be prepared to answer questions to further enlarge upon the substance of the project or study.
This conference is your chance to showcase the high points that you think represent the true
meaning and quality of your work. You will be asked to submit a PowerPoint presentation to
your advisor for posting to assist in your presentation of the project. After your Adobe connect
presentation is completed, the faculty will discuss what you have presented and agree upon the
acceptance of the project or study. Potential outcomes are as follows:
1. APPROVED: Full approval. The final product is considered a worthy contribution
either to materials in the field or to the general body of literature and may be considered
further to be worthy of submission to a potential journal for publication.
2. APPROVAL WITH CONDITION: May contain some minor modifications that
will then be forwarded to your advisor within a specified time frame. After the
conditions have been met, and upon the recommendation of your advisor, the project may
be moved to APPROVED status.
3. NO RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL AT THIS TIME: While rare, this
option may be exercised if there are significant problems with the project or study. Given
this outcome, a detailed follow up call will prescribe the next series of events. All “no
recommendations” require that the final presentation conference telephone call be
repeated when the significant issues have been resolved. This status may require that the
grade of “TH” be given for the Capstone. If this grade is given, all policies of the
University regarding re-registration for Capstone apply; your advisor will work with you
if this step is needed.
GRADING CRITERIA
The Capstone Experience is graded on a “credit or no credit” basis. Therefore, it is expected that
the final product is of quality to be judged in the excellent category, worthy of Master’s degree
recognition. Were it to be graded, criteria for the grade of “A” would be applied. Therefore,
participants are encouraged to place every qualitative effort behind building a project that is not
only useful as a course requirement, but also may be a valuable contribution to field materials
and/or to the literature of the fields of disaster medicine, management, public and emergency
service or related areas. It is also an excellent opportunity to begin a journey to publication in a
reputable journal or in a related venue.
SOME FINAL NOTES
This experience will require careful and frequent consultation with your advisor. It is critical
that methods of communication be understood clearly before the project or study is undertaken.
Beyond the required discussion board activities and telephone conferences, other calls and emails are certainly encouraged. There is little room in this experience for last-minute
scrambling; therefore, proper planning is important as the concept moves to a reality.
In the rare event that a substantive conflict arises during the conduct of the project or study, such
issues will be resolved jointly among the participant, the advisor, the Program Director and, in
some cases, the Medical Director.
GET STARTED
You might begin thinking about your final product as early as the very first course! You can
start compiling a list of all the topics that interest you. Talk about your ideas with faculty, coworkers—anyone who may offer some advice or experience. This element in the DMM
curriculum may be the most exciting and rewarding experience you have had so far. Remember,
you are driving the bus toward the goal of excellence. Strive to make it a worthwhile trip!