What Is Undergraduate Research?

1. According to the Council on Undergraduate Research, Undergraduate Research is “an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to a discipline.” What Is Undergraduate Research?

2. Undergraduate Research • Undergraduate Research at Howard involves self-directed scholarly and/or creative activities which, under the direction of a faculty mentor, enable students (individually or in small groups) to develop knowledge that extends or transforms traditional academic knowledge. The goals of undergraduate research at Howard are to improve students’ awareness and content mastery in their area of research and to offer scholarly or creative insights within or across disciplines.

3. The Basic Components of Research • Five (5) basic components generally inform any research project: • Statement of the Problem • Literature Review • Theoretical Framework • Methodology • Analysis/Findings • These components should be carefully considered while planning the project, and they should inform the development of the project throughout. As the project unfolds, different components of each category will inform the presentation of the research. • While the five basic components are applicable across disciplines, some of the explanations included here may be more applicable to some disciplines than others. Speak to your mentor for discipline-specific guidance.

4. The Basic Components of Research The statement of the problem performs two (2) major tasks: It gives direction to the study; and It unifies all the variables used in the study. Consider the purpose of your research. Is it To advance knowledge; To solve a problem; or To explore? The Statement of the Problem articulates what the researcher proposes to do. It should be precise, clearly stated, and representative of what the researcher has in mind.

5. Consider whether your question is researchable. Is it specific enough? Can it be addressed in the allocated amount of time? What skills and/or skill level are required? Note that a well-structured Statement of the Problem suggests the relationship among specific variables/objects/beliefs/events and provides the controls needed to structure, limit, and impart meaning to the ensuing investigation. Statement of Problem

6. The Basic Components of Research Consider and contextualize what has already been said about your subject? Answer this question—How does related research help you construct or develop your research problem or question? Consider what information you need to complete your research. Is it available? Identify how your research will fill a gap in current research, will resolve or add to the body of scholarship on your topic, or will resolve contradictions related to your research question. The Review of the Literature provides some background and context for your research problem or question and considers what has already been said about your research problem.

7. The Basic Components of Research Whether you undertake a qualitative or quantitative approach, the theoretical framework makes a logical statement about the relationship between and among variables. It should illustrate What relationships are formed between and among the chosen variables; What predictions are suggested and under what conditions such predictions will occur; and How do the variables interconnect, and what predictions can be made about their relationships? The Theoretical Framework indicates the line of inquiry that informs your statement of the problem and your methodology.

8. The Basic Components of Research Your research design should be appropriate for the data you plan to collect. In this way, the research problem determines the methodology. Based on your stated problem, should your data be primarily qualitative or quantitative? Determine how you will select the elements to be studied. Determine your method of data collection. Will you use secondary sources, primary sources, or mixed methods? Consider the type of data you will collect. Which technique will you use? See your mentor for discipline-specific methods. The Methodology reveals how you selected the study sample, collected the data, and analyzed the data. It explains how you will test the stated problem.

9. The Basic Components of ResearchSummary

10. Tips for Presenting Your Research and Findings Be sure to use spell check; Allow yourself sufficient time to practice your Power Point Presentation; Save a copy of your presentation on a flash-drive; Time yourself to make sure that you stay within the allotted time; and Review the “Tips for Oral Presentation Graphics” and “Poster Guidelines” information on this site.