Resource

Research Project

What is it?

Students can work individually or as a group to investigate a selected topic or a topic of their choosing. Research projects allow for a thorough investigation into the literature surrounding the topic for a deeper understanding. The findings from the research project can be presented in many different forms e.g., written report, presentation, video creations, podcasts, and posters.

Advantages & Challenges

Advantages

Challenges

Advantages

Challenges

Tips for Use

Clearly define the objectives and identify method for selection of topic, this can be predetermined for the students or on a topic of their choosing within a broader topic area.
Provide guidance and support to students throughout the process. Give an outline of chapters to include, referencing style and consider providing students with example of research projects.
Develop a clear grading rubric for each element of the research project i.e. research title, research questions and objectives, research proposal, literature review, methodology etc.
Consider scaffolding the project into smaller sections with different submission deadlines.
Provide students with feedback throughout the process. Consider incorporating peer review into the process to help students to develop reviewing and critical thinking skills.

Resources

University of Warwick: Research proposals (warwick.ac.uk)
Advance HE: The role of assessment in teaching research methods: a literature review | Advance HE (advance-he.ac.uk)

Resource for students:

Sage Publications :Checklist for Managing Subjectives | Online Resources (sagepub.com)

Sample Rubrics

Marquette University: http://www.marquette.edu/library/services/research.doc
Cornell College: Example 9 – Original Research Project Rubric – Cornell College

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