Capstone Components
10 Product Significance
The story continues…
The next morning, Harry called Physicus with the thoughts he had. Harry explained that perhaps finding out how to get Pickles to catch mice could help other cat owners with a similar problem. Harry also said that they might learn something new about Siamese cats.
After Physicus listened to Harry, he replied, “This warrants an investigation, and it is my scientific responsibility to help.”
“We need to get answers to help solve my problem, and to make the world a better place by keeping cheese safe from mice,” Harry said. 
Physicus laughed. “Harry, you just presented the merit for our investigation. Knowledge is power and knowing how to apply the knowledge is even more powerful! Think of how much cheese could be saved for cheese lovers like you. Who knows what else we will find out as we explore this. I am so excited! I will think about how to do it and get back to you shortly. Very shortly!”
Before Harry could say anything, Physicus hung up the phone. Clearly, Physicus’ mind was racing and he was excited. Harry felt excited too. He felt he was on the verge of bringing something of significance into the lives of others as well as himself. Harry looked forward to building a strategy that would motivate Pickles to catch the mice. Harry wanted to enjoy his cheese again someday soon.
Interpreting the Story
Harry determined that investigating the problem could produce information others would find useful. Education research should be applicable to practice. Finding out something nice to know, has little value in the daily life of an educator. Educators need tested, founded, and significant information to guide their practice. Harry discovered the merit, or significance, of his investigation and its usefulness beyond his current problem. The friends were going to develop a strategy (product) to motivate cats in catching mice they can share with other cat owners.
The Product Significance
The Product Significance heading explains the importance of the product. The heading builds the case to warrant the investigating the problem using the project frame to fulfill the purpose of the project. The writing explains the value of the product to the reader and how the product will realize the purpose and solve the problem.
The writing answers the question: “Why is this research project important to the local context? It is important to develop knowledge through research that can be applied by others. Simply finding out interesting facts can be engaging, but educational research is much more. Contextualizing the project and explaining the significance of building the product provides the reader with compelling evidence of the value of the research project and creates a sense of urgency for the investigation.
Telling the Research Story
The Product Significance is initiates the rising tension in the research story. It conveys to the reader the value and urgency of embarking on the journey to build the solution for the characters in the story. The key to telling the value of the project is explaining how the product will benefit the characters in the story.
The Product Significance heading is included in Chapter 1 of a capstone project. The heading is concerned with conveying importance for the local educational context. Most authors find this to be one of the easiest parts of the story to tell because it provides opportunities for articulating the desired goal.
