HON 495 - Introduction to Research

Overview

The general goal for this course is to prepare the honors student for the task of successfully completing the Senior Honors Project (HON 496), a two-semester, independent course of study involving research or creative work under the supervision of a faculty adviser. In this course, participants will explore potential topics for their project, ultimately writing and presenting a formal proposal that is appropriate to their field at Proposal Conference, scheduled for April 23, 2011.

Student learning outcomes:

By participating in this course students should:

  1. Become familiar with Hamilton library and scholarly resources appropriate to their field, and be able to critically evaluate sources sufficient to develop an annotated bibliography and literature review for their chosen topic;
  2. Gain a broad overview of research and creative work conducted at the University of Hawai`i, and appreciate the similarities and differences in approaches to problems across disciplines;
  3. Identify a significant research problem in their field and specify appropriate research questions to address it;
  4. Develop an understanding of methods in their field sufficient to detail a methodology to answer specific research questions or address a particular concern consistent with research or creative work in their field;
  5. Develop writing skills through the process of vision and revision in order to produce a substantive proposal for research or creative work consistent with the scope of the Senior Honors Project;
  6. Develop oral presentation and poster presentation skills necessary to perform with a level of professional competence expected at an academic conference;
  7. Develop skills in construction criticism in order to provide helpful written and oral feedback to peers.

Pedagogical approach

The approach to this course is pragmatic: it is designed to give students direction and support as they develop projects that are appropriate to their field. Guest speakers will be invited to share their experiences and answer questions, and the instructor will give brief lectures on key topics. Most classes will be conducted in the style of a workshop, however, with the instructor providing guidance and suggestions as students work on components of their proposals for the Senior Honors Project. Emphasis is on practice: constant revision of writing and practice of oral presentations with feedback from peers and the instructor. Each assignment builds on the next as students refine components of their proposal until they present it to the class and at Proposal Conference.

For the paper and the poster, written feedback is provided in the form of written assessments by peers and the instructor, and through a personal conference with the instructor after each draft. Similarly, peers and instructor will provide written evaluations and comments on presentations, while the instructor will personally conference with each student after each rehearsal of a presentation. Students will receive overall assessment for the class in the form of a written report at the end of the semester. This evaluation will be submitted to the Honors Program and will be used by the Honors Council, among other materials, in determining the final designation with which you will graduate (i.e. with "No Honors," "Honors," "High Honors," or "Highest Honors").

Course requirements

1. Attendance

Students will be expected to attend all scheduled class sessions or provide written excuses at least 24 hours prior to the missed class, except in the case of genuine medical or personal emergencies. You will be letting others down if you do not come to class on time, so you will be allowed only one “free” unexcused tardy.

Students must also attend at least three individual conferences with the instructor over the course of the semester to discuss their progress in written and oral work. These meetings will be in Week 2 and Week 7, with a final conference to be held in Finals Week.

2. Participation

Students are expected to keep up with the readings in order to contribute regularly and positively to class discussion; students will engage critically but constructively in evaluation of their peers’ written work and oral presentations; and students will provide support for each other’s endeavors. Participation will be assessed through a combination of peer and instructor evaluations using a standardized rubric which will be shared with the class.

3. Written Assignments

Written assignments are designed for two main purposes: first, as separate and combined components of a research proposal; and, second, ways to introduce your scholarship to a potential mentor. Examples of the former include: the Project Abstract; Annotated Bibliography; Literature Review; Research Methods; Draft Proposal; and Final Proposal. Examples of the latter include: the Academic CV; and Letter of Introduction.

Due dates and grades for each written assignment are listed below.

Please note that this class satisfies the Writing Intensive (W) Focus Requirement of General Education and, as such, students do a substantial amount of writing which contributes significantly to each student’s overall assessment for the course. You will be expected to write multiple drafts of your work and to meet with the instructor to conference on your writing throughout the semester.

4. Oral assignments

Short oral presentations include a statement of academic and professional goals; a sketch of a Project; a problem statement; a reflection on finding a mentor; and a review of changes to your project. In addition you will perform a rehearsal of your presentation for Proposal Conference as well as the final presentation at Proposal Conference. Due dates and grades for each oral assignment are listed below.

Please note that this class satisfies the Oral Communication (O) Focus Requirement of General Education and, as such, students will receive explicit training in oral communication skills and specific feedback from peers and the instructor.

5. Poster Assignments

There are two poster assignments involving audio-visual presentation of your work. First you will do an outline of your poster presentation, which will be followed by a rehearsal for your participation in the Proposal Conference. The final poster presentation is given at Proposal Conference.

Please note the there will be a workshop on poster presentations hosted by the University Research Council and the Honors Program about two-thirds through the semester.

Type of Assignment Name of Assignment Due Date
Oral Assignment 1 Academic and Professional goals  
Written Assignment 1 Academic CV and Personal Information  
Written Assignment 2 Preliminary Bibliography  
Oral Assignment 2 Sketch of a Project  
Written Assignment 3 Project Abstract 1  
Written Assignment 4 Letter of Introduction  
Oral Assignment 3 Problem Statement  
Oral Assignment 4 Finding My Mentor  
Written Assignment 5 Annotated bibliography  
Written Assignment 6 Outline of Literature Review  
Written Assignment 7 Research Methods  
Oral Assignment 5 My Changing Project  
Written Assignment 8 Project Abstract 2  
Poster Assignment 1 Poster Outline  
Oral Assignment 6 Rehearsals for Fall Forum  
Written Assignment 9 Literature Review  
Written Assignment 10 Proposal Complete Draft  
Written Assignment 11 Final Proposal  
Oral Assignment 7 Fall Forum  
Poster Assignment 2 Fall Forum  

Grading

This is a CR/NC class so students and encouraged to take risks and think beyond grades, but for consistency and comparability all assignments will be graded out of 20 points and weighted accordingly. Extra credit is not provided. Grades are assigned as follows:

Texts

There are two required texts and a series of recommended texts which are on reserve. There will be occasional supplementary reading, mostly of on-line documents.