This document provides guidance to honors students on starting their capstone research project or thesis. It explains that the capstone is a required and rewarding part of the honors experience. Students must choose between doing a project or thesis. A thesis involves extensive research and a lengthy paper, while a project incorporates hands-on work and a shorter written component. The document outlines the basic steps to completing a capstone, including finding a project director, submitting a proposal, and presenting the final work. It emphasizes starting early and provides resources for finding research opportunities on and off campus.

1. Stay in
Honors. Stay
happy.
HOW DO I START MY
RESEARCH AND MY
CAPSTONE PROJECT OR
THESIS?

2. Studies shows that students who engage in
Undergraduate Research are more likely to…
 Stay enrolled, do better academically, and
graduate.
 Create relationships with faculty, researchers and
administrators.
 Participate in other opportunities (scholarships,
internships, awards, leadership positions, etc.).
 Be better prepared for graduate school and the job
market.
WHY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH?

3. All these benefits will be yours, because:
Undergraduate research is one of the most
important aspects of your Honors Career,
and the Honors Capstone Project or Thesis
must be completed to earn the Honors
Diploma.
An overwhelming majority of graduating Honors Students
(about 85%) report that completing the Honors Capstone
Project or Thesis was very rewarding and that they were
very proud of their work.

4. PLUS IT IS FUN!

5. FUN ZONE: VIDEO TIME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73nzMbMDOiw

6.  Most important document to guide you is the Honors
Capstone Project Handbook.
 Available on the left navigation bar on the Honors College
Website (uah.edu/honors).
First big decision:
Project or Thesis?
HONORS CAPSTONE PROJECT OR THESIS:
WHERE TO BEGIN?

7. A thesis consists of extensive research process that results
in a lengthy, well written, and thoroughly researched paper. You
can think of it either as an extended term paper, a very
extensive lab report, or as a small version of a Master’s Thesis.
You can write a thesis in any field, from philosophy to biology to
nursing practice to thermodynamics to music theory and so on.
PROJECT OR THESIS?

8. A project consists of more “hands-on” activities, even though
these hands-on activities typically grow from an extensive
knowledge base. Examples:
 A new computer program
 The design of a new piece of equipment or technology
 Devising, implementing, and evaluating a new clinical or
educational practice
 A collection of short stories, poetry, or other literary creation
 An art installation, musical composition, or direction of a
theatrical production
 Devising a business plan or creating a marketing and advertising
campaign.
The project still involves a written component, usually much
shorter than the writing involved in the thesis.
PROJECT OR THESIS?

9.  Decide what you want to do for your Capstone. Your Capstone
does not need to be in your field!
 Find a Project Director. You may have already worked with this
person, or they may be teaching the course you will use for your
thesis.
 Decide which course you will use. You can use a course in which
you are already enrolled. If no course presents itself for your
thesis, you can sign up for HON 499 – Honors Thesis. If you need
to use HON 499, be sure to contact the Honors College
Coordinator to establish a section of this course for you.
 Fill out Honors Capstone Proposal Form
 Do the work. Plan to spend at least a semester doing this work.
Frequently, you may use work you have already begun and adapt
it into a thesis. Often, the thesis work may take more than one
semester.
 Submit your project and the proper paperwork.
BASIC STEPS IN CAPSTONE PROCESS

10.  It’s never too early to
start.
 You can adapt and build
on work or research you
did for a previous
course.
 You can take advantage
of opportunities like
RCEU or work you are
already doing with
faculty.
 Research can be done
over the summer or
during a semester and
then written up later. It
can be a long process.
 Some students will wait
to use senior design or
senior research courses
for their Capstone. If
you do this, remember
you must do extra work
to make it Honors.
WHEN?

11. 1. What makes me
nervous about the
Honors Capstone?
2. What makes me
excited about the
Honors Capstone?
3. What don’t I know
about the Capstone
that I need to know?
4. Why does the
Honors College
insist on a a
Capstone?
5. Why is the Capstone
important to me?
6. What are some
more resources I
may need to do my
Capstone?
GROUP QUESTIONS: WHAT DO WE NEED
TO KNOW?

12.  Research & Creative Experience for Undergraduates (RCEU)
 All fields of study/PAID $3,200 stipend
 Majors requiring research project or capstone (Psychology,
Earth System Science, Chemistry, etc.)
 More than 25 Academic Student Organizations on Campus
 Space Hardware Club, The Writer’s Block,
Robotics/Unmanned Systems Club, Entrepreneurship Club,
Steel Bridge Team, Lunar Rover Team, Concrete Canoe Team,
Green Club, Electric Vehicle Team, etc.
 Public History Program (Historic preservation)
 Co-op and Internship programs (Research Park, NASA, etc.)
 Boeing Business Challenge/SAIC Case Competition ($ prizes),
etc.
 NSF REU Sites (UAH and all USA)
OTHER RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES THAT
CAN LEAD TO UNDERGRAD RESEARCH

13. Undergraduate Research Coordinator
He can help you with:
• Finding research programs both on-
and off-campus,
• Explaining opportunities on previous
slide,
• Selecting a thesis or project topic,
• Strategies for contacting a thesis or
project mentor,
• Creating a timeline for your
research/project and capstone,
• Applying for scholarships and
fellowships,
• Getting involved with academic clubs
on campus,
• Finding publication and presentation
opportunities

14. I CAN HELP YOU
Creating your research design
Finding & Analyzing information
Navigating IRB (If you need too)
Navigating the publishing and presenting
process