Doctoral Capstone Proposal and Methods (OTS-0210)

Fall 2026 · OTS 0210 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

Students will learn the necessary tenets for project proposal and methods development. This content is meant to directly support their Doctoral Capstone project proposal, pertaining to at least one area of relevance for Occupational Therapy: Research, Education, Emerging Practice and Policy/Advocacy. The key tenets addressed will include background, significance, purpose and aims, detailed implementation procedures, methods for evaluating projects, and a separate related literature review section. Students will learn to select and describe methods (instruments and research designs) to evaluate projects and prepare a database (excel spreadsheet) that includes realistic mock data on all key project variables and outcomes. Students will practice using research methods that will be needed to evaluate their projects (e.g., descriptive statistics, content analyses, nonparametric/parametric comparative tests) and creating charts and tables using mock data to address project aims. A mixture of didactic and small group feedback sessions will be used to assist students with project conceptualization and planning; writing and revising project proposals; synthesis and critical appraisal of key literature; selection and application of methods; and using and giving constructive feedback. At the end of the course, students should be confident with the basic mechanics of the proposal writing process by initiating a working draft of their proposal, developing a working knowledge in a variety of methods used to evaluate data, and reporting of anticipated project results.

Course codes: OTS-0210, OTS 0210, OTS0210, OTS-210, OTS 210, OTS210

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