Overview of Radiography Capstone Project
Designed as a guide for students, faculty, and clinical mentors
1. Purpose & Scope
| Aspect |
Description |
| Goal |
Demonstrate the ability to integrate diagnostic imaging theory, clinical practice, research methods, and professional ethics into a self‑directed project. |
| Outcome |
A written dissertation/report (≈ 15‑20 pages) + an oral/visual presentation (≈ 15 min) that addresses a real‑world radiography problem or innovation. |
| Audience |
Academic faculty, clinical preceptors, peers, and potentially external stakeholders (e.g., equipment vendors, hospital administrators). |
| Accreditation Alignment |
Meets ARRT/CRPE requirements for critical thinking, evidence‑based practice, and lifelong learning. |
2. Typical Project Themes
| Category |
Example Topics |
| Clinical Quality Improvement |
Reducing repeat rates in CT head protocols; optimizing patient positioning for portable X‑ray in ICU. |
| Technology & Innovation |
Evaluation of AI‑assisted bone age assessment; feasibility of low‑dose digital radiography in pediatric trauma. |
| Radiation Safety |
Implementation of dose‑tracking software; staff education on ALARA principles in interventional suites. |
| Patient Experience |
Impact of communication scripts on anxiety in mammography; workflow redesign for faster turnaround in emergency radiography. |
| Education & Training |
Effectiveness of simulation‑based teaching for fluoroscopy; competency assessment tools for novice technologists. |
3. Project Lifecycle
1️⃣ Topic Selection → 2️⃣ Literature Review → 3️⃣ Proposal Development
↓ ↓
4️⃣ IRB/Ethics Approval → 5️⃣ Data Collection → 6️⃣ Data Analysis
↓ ↓
7️⃣ Draft Report → 8️⃣ Presentation Preparation → 9️⃣ Defense & Submission
3.1. Milestones & Deliverables
| Milestone |
Deadline (Typical) |
Deliverable |
| Topic Approval |
End of Semester 1 |
Brief (1‑2 page) description + rationale |
| IRB/Ethics |
4 weeks after topic approval |
Approved protocol or exemption letter |
| Literature Review |
Mid‑Semester 2 |
Annotated bibliography (15–20 sources) |
| Methodology Draft |
6 weeks before data collection |
Detailed methods section + data collection tools |
| Data Collection Complete |
End of Semester 2 |
Raw data set + data‑cleaning log |
| Analysis Report |
2 weeks after data collection |
Tables/figures + statistical summary |
| Final Report |
4 weeks before defense |
Full written capstone (APA/AMA style) |
| Oral/Visual Presentation |
Defense day |
Slide deck (≤ 20 slides) + speaker notes |
4. Research Design Options
| Design |
When to Use |
Key Features |
| Quantitative – Descriptive |
Baseline audits, repeat‑rate studies |
Structured data, statistical analysis (χ², t‑test, regression). |
| Quantitative – Experimental |
Protocol changes, dose‑reduction trials |
Pre‑/post‑intervention, control group, randomization if feasible. |
| Qualitative – Exploratory |
Patient‑experience, staff perception |
Interviews/focus groups, thematic analysis, NVivo or manual coding. |
| Mixed‑Methods |
Projects requiring both numbers and narratives |
Sequential or concurrent design; integration of findings in discussion. |
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