ic planning model that can be used to plot out a future course for your capstone project by acting on strengths, while minimizing associated risks. It is important for students to develop knowledge and skills with visual mapping models and techniques in order to enhance their capstone project planning and development.
Logic Models provide a visual representation of an entire program in a flow chart format. Logic Models are a systematic and visual way to present and share your understanding of the relationships among the resources you have compiled to conduct your capstone project, the activities planned for implementation, and the anticipated changes or results from project/program implementation.
Components of a Logic Model
Logic models can focus on any level of a program: the entire organization, one of its component departments or programs, or just specific parts of a department or a program. Although logic models differ widely in format and level of detail, the following key terms should be considered in its development (Refer to Table 7.1: Key Terms Used in Logic Models)
Table 7.1: Key Terms Used in Logic Models
|Inputs and Processes
|Activities and Participation
Short-term impact focuses on the learning that occurs from the project/program
Medium-term impact focuses on actions that have resulted from the project/program
Long-term impact focuses on the conditions that have changed as a result of the program/project
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2018, December 12). Framework step 2 checklist. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/evaluation/steps/step2/index.htm; Doll, J. D. (2010). Program development and grant writing in Occupational therapy: Making the connection. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. (Refer to Appendix 7.A: Sample Logic Model: Community-Based Diabetes Prevention Program).
Concept mapping is a useful tool that can be used to define your theoretical framework and to visually display how it is applied to your capstone project’s literature review. Basically, concept mapping is a process for representing and organizing ideas using pictures. The goal of a concept map is to simplify complex concepts using circles, boxes, and/or other shapes that are linked with arrows carrying explanatory legends that depict pictorial connections between ideas (Grant & Osonloo, 2016).
A concept map offers you an instrument to draw a plan for how you will approach your capstone project within a specific theoretical framework. First, you should review literature and organize key issues of interest related to your topic. These are the foundational concepts that support your chosen theory. Next, arrange your ideas in a hierarchical, logical structure. You can start with general ideas and funnel your thinking down to more specific, related topics and ideas. Each idea should have a clear purpose and significance in relation to the aggregate topic. Readers of your capstone project should begin to see a clear picture of your ideas by previewing the organization and identification of your key topics. Visual arrows and connectors should provide insight into how concepts are aligned and connected and illustrate the flow of ideas. Lastly, frame out your entire map with your theoretical framework and your PIO/PICO question (Grant & Osonloo, 2016). Concept maps will help you write a clear literature review in an organized manner that is aligned with your chosen theoretical framework (Refer to Table 7.2: Items to be Included in a Literature Review Rooted in Theory).
Table 7.2: Items to be Included in a Literature Review Rooted in Theory
Source: Grant, C. & Osanloo, A. (2016). Understanding, selecting, and integrating a theoretical framework in dissertation research: Creating the blueprint for your “house”. Administrative issues journal: connecting education, practice, and research, 4(2),7.
The ability to construct a concept map illustrates two essential properties of understanding: the representation and the organization of ideas. A holistic view of yo