This page concerns information about my scholarly research project that will be completed by the Spring of 2022.
 
 
I developed and conducted this research project over 2-years during my time as an occupational therapy student. My scholarly research project gave me an opportunity to significantly develop my research skills and ability to utilize and interpret research for evidence-based practice. I completed an extensive literature review, a scholarly project proposal, all recruitment materials and methods, conducted the research, analyzed the research, and disseminated my research through my written scholarly project.

Method: The present qualitative study will used semi-structured interviews to investigate the benefits and importance of the doctoral capstone as perceived by occupational therapy program alumni

Purpose: to determine why the doctoral capstone is crucial to occupational therapy education and practice. The present study investigated current perceptions of the doctoral capstone held by alumni of The University of Toledo’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. The research questions were as follows: (a) does the doctoral capstone achieve the goals intended by ACOTE?; (b) does the doctoral capstone produce graduates with advanced skills in practice?; (c) how do graduates of the doctoral capstone view their experience?. The Representative Assembly cited a lack of research supporting the shift to a single point of entry-level education as the main cause for rejecting the proposed motion to mandate the entry-level doctorate as the minimum for practice. The current study aimed to address the lack of research on this topic and provide information that will be useful in future decisions concerning occupational therapy education. The researchers hypothesized that graduates who complete the doctoral capstone develop enhanced skills in autonomous decision making, evidence-based practice, and clinical practice.

Results:The findings of my research study indicate that the occupational therapy doctoral capstone successfully meets the goals established by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, produces graduates with enhanced skills in autonomous decision making, evidence-based practice, and clinical practice, and is viewed by graduates as a crucial aspect of their education that prepared them for entry-level practice as independent occupational therapists.

Future Research: is necessary to determine the overall benefits of the occupational therapy doctoral capstone and how it prepares students to practice in the field. Additionally, future research is needed due to the small sample size used within the current research study to ensure the results can be generalized. Future studies should change recruitment methods and inclusion and exclusion criteria to include multiple occupational therapy doctorate programs graduates. Based on the literature review, the effectiveness and benefits of the occupational therapy doctoral capstone are under-researched. Still, this research study provides insight into the topic and implications to guide future research to improve generalizability. However, based on the results of this study, the doctoral capstone does meet the goals required by ACOTE and benefits graduates by providing increased opportunities to develop skills vital to occupational therapy practice.​