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CAPS 795
CAPSTONE THESIS TOPIC
INTENT FORM
MSIA PROGRAM
Students are expected to describe in writing their Capstone thesis. Please complete the form below and provide a narrative which
describes your thesis. A sample narrative follows. All students must secure approval of their thesis topic at least one session
before their Capstone course. Example: For Winter CAPS 795, the Intent Form must be approved prior to Fall Session 2.
Student Name:
Student I.D.# _________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
City
State
Zip
Phone Numbers: (Home)
(Work)
(Fax)
(Cell)
E-Mail
Campus location
Student Advisor
Requested Faculty Advisor (if any)
Note: Faculty Advisor requests are not always granted. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining Faculty
Advisors.
Expected session of your Capstone class enrollment:
Year _______
Session _______
Online or in-seat section ___________________________
Office use only
□ The above student’s Capstone Intent was reviewed and approved.
MSIA Representative Signature
Date
□ The above student’s Capstone Intent was reviewed and must be revised. The student should see attached comments.
MSIA Representative Signature
Davenport University: MSIA CAPS 795 Capstone Intent Form (13-14 lgd)
Date
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Capstone Intent Form Page 2
I have read the Capstone Guidebook which describes the nature of the project.
Please attach a three- to five-page (double-space) narrative to the Intent Form that describes
the information below. Include your name, professor’s name, and date on the attachment. A
sample of a narrative is attached.
1. What is a proposed title of your project? Describe the project you have in mind. What
question(s) will be answered by your research? (List and state them as questions. For
example, “How can a college or university effectively use celebrities, who interact with
students in a campus academic setting, to promote the college or university?”)
2. Why are you interested in pursuing this project? How will it benefit you?
3. How will the project benefit the field, your company, and/or another firm?
4. How will you gather information? Does it involve only extensive research from published
sources? Does is also involve collecting primary data through focus groups, in-depth
interviews, and/or a survey? If so, which research method will be used? How many
people will be surveyed? Why will this method accomplish the research objectives?
NOTE: If your research involves surveys, questionnaires, focus-groups, or other
methods involving people, you will need to have your study approved by the
Davenport University Institutional Review Board (IRB). For more information see:
http://www.davenport.edu/academics/institutional-review-board-irb
5. What skills, knowledge, or classes are important for you to master in order to complete
this project?
6. Does the project involve content in a paper that was written for another class? If so,
submit a copy of the paper with this form.
I hereby submit this Capstone Intent Form and narrative for approval.
I understand that the Graduate staff/faculty member assigned to evaluate it has the right to reject
it and request a re-write and resubmission.
I understand that my thesis paper consists of research and may be posted as such through the
Information Security and Assurance Center (ISaAC) at Davenport University.
I further understand that my project is to be original and that plagiarism is grounds for
possible dismissal from the MSIA program. The Academic Integrity policy is provided in the
Graduate Catalog.
Student Signature: _______________________________ Date:_________________
Send your completed Capstone Intent Form to msiacapstone@davenport.edu
Davenport University: MSIA CAPS 795 Capstone Intent Form (13-14 lgd)
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(Sample Intent Form Narrative)
Capstone Intent Form Narrative
[Replace sample text to complete the narrative]
Submitted By:
(Student’s Name)
Submitted To:
MSIA Capstone Committee
Date:
(Provide date)
Proposed Title:
Factors Affecting the Security Awareness of End-Users
Description
This will be a research project exploring the question: What is the significance of internal,
external, and inherent factors of an organization’s end-users’ level of computer security
awareness? Specific questions that will be addressed in the study are:
1. Does participation in security awareness training increase the level of security awareness of
end-users?
2. Does emphasis on security by the organization’s management increase the level of security
awareness of end-users?
3. Do external factors from outside the organization contribute to the end-user’s level of
security awareness within the organization?
4. Do inherent factors within end-users affect their level of security awareness?
Personal Interest
Discuss in this section why this topic is of interest to you.
Benefits of Research
Discuss in this section any benefits you believe may result from this research.
Methods of Gathering Information
Davenport University: MSIA CAPS 795 Capstone Intent Form (13-14 lgd)
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Discuss the methods you will use to answer your research questions. This may include primary
research (surveys, interviews, focus-groups, intervention, etc.), or secondary research involving
data that has already been collected. Also note if you expect your research to be subject to IRB
approval.
Knowledge and Skills Needed
Discuss the skills/knowledge that you expect to be important in order to be able to complete this
paper. For example, the research questions above assumes knowledge of security awareness
training programs, training methods, organizational structure, and external factors.
Previous Research on this Topic
If you have written a previous paper on this topic, list the title of the paper here and its purpose
(previous course, etc.), and attach a copy of the paper with this form.
For questions, see the contact information in the CAPS795 Capstone Guidebook, or email
msiacapstone@davenport.edu
Davenport University: MSIA CAPS 795 Capstone Intent Form (13-14 lgd)