Summer Research Partnerships

The Office of Undergraduate Research is pleased to be able to support the summer research program for 2013. Due to a generous grant received by the Meredith Environmental Sustainability Initiative, we will be able to support an increased number of projects and particularly invite proposals related to environmental conservation, social justice, and economic considerations within the broad context of sustainability.

Summer Research Partnerships offer students the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and other students to pursue a research or creative project in a focused manner.  Projects should utilize the expertise of the faculty mentor to facilitate student engagement in discovery and creativity.  Collaboration with other students is highly encouraged.  Partnerships that blend scholarly research in collaboration with community agencies will receive special consideration. 

Ideally a research project will produce a tangible result (publication, presentation, creative work) for the student and the faculty mentor.  Participating students are expected to present their projects at Taste of Research on Wednesday September 18th, 2013 and at Celebrating Student Achievement to be held in April 2014 (date TBA).

Students applying for summer stipends are strongly encouraged to attend a spring workshop for proposal development.  Members of the Undergraduate Research Committee will work with students to develop proposals that conform to format and meet criteria for proposal evaluation. The proposal workshops will be held Monday, March 25, at 10am and 4:30pm (choose one).  Email research@meredith.edu for more information.

Proposal Assessment: Rubrics

Members of the Undergraduate Research Advisory Committee (URAC) will use rubrics (to be distributed and published on March 25, 2013) to assess and confirm approval or disapproval of proposals. Each of the broad disciplinary areas:  Natural / Physical Sciences / Mathematics; Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Humanities / Arts.  A particular rubric will be used to assess proposals that address Environmantal Sustainability content (from any disciplinary area) will be assessed using a rubric developed by the Meredith Environmental Sustainability Teaching Circle accessed here

Criteria  

Research is a mode of critical thinking that generates new knowledge or creative interpretation of the world around us. 

Proposed projects should present evidence of the following:

• Synthesis of existing information related to project. Critical analysis of information that results in development of a clear question or hypothesis. Application of discipline based methodology to analysis of the question of hypothesis.
• Evaluation of importance of research to the body of knowledge related to the question or hypothesis.

Summer Research Partnership awards are merit-based and do not consider financial need.  Stipend payments for the summer of 2013 will range from $625 to $2500, with amounts determined by the depth and extent of the project.  A full award involves a commitment of 280 hours of work on the project.  The work can be done on a full-time basis of 35 hours a week for eight weeks, or it can be done part-time over a longer period.  The time commitment associated with partial awards will be in proportion to this standard. Inclusion of a timeline with the project proposal is strongly recommended.  Students should view the stipend award as a work commitment. 

Research, in reality, is seldom an individual pursuit.  Collaboration is the norm in laboratories, offices, and studios.  Projects that involve student collaborations are highly encouraged.  Projects involving up to three students may submit a single application and project outline. Each student involved in the collaboration should outline their personal contribution to the project, including time commitment.  Individual stipends will depend on individual commitment to the project.  

Research can be conducted between May 1, and August 16, 2013 beginning as soon as payroll arrangements are finalized.  In addition to the time committed to research, student researchers must attend a minimum of three group discussions, present their results at “A Taste of Research” on September 18th, 2013 and assist with one Meredith-sponsored event involving research during the 2013-14 academic year. Students will also have the opportunity to present their work at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium, Celebrating Student Achievement Day and/or other local and regional meetings.  

Student researchers are responsible for submitting payroll documents to the Human Resources office by April 30.   

If the Undergraduate Research budget allows, Summer Research Partners may be awarded up to $100 to cover research costs.  All nondisposable materials purchased for research become the property of the college as of August 31, 2013 unless otherwise specified.   Travel grants of up to $150 may also be available.    

Application 

The application includes five parts: 

____ Proposal Cover Sheet  (Please print, complete and sign this form.)

____ Proposal Narrative

____ Faculty Statement of Support

____ Timeline

____ Estimate of Expenses 

Click here to access the forms and instructions.  Submit one copy of the completed application forms to the Undergraduate Research Program, 115B Joyner Hall , by Tuesday April 23, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. An electronic version of the narrative, timeline, and expenses should be submitted to research@meredith.edu.  Award notifications will be made by Thursday, May 3rd.   If you have questions, please email research@meredith.edu.  

Process

Student/faculty teams develop a research plan for summer.Student researcher attends proposal workshop,   Student/faculty team completes the application and submits it to Undergraduate Research Program, 115B Joyner Hall .  Place it in the envelope on the door as well as electronically to research@meredith.edu

DEADLINE:  Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.

 The Undergraduate Research Committee reviews applications and makes funding recommendations.   Awardees will be notified by Thursday, May3, 2013 . After award notification, student researcher –

1. makes payroll arrangements with Ms. Kay Miller in Human Resources Department.  Guidelines are available on the door of 115B Joyner Hall .  Paperwork and supporting documents (proof of citizenship) are due immediately upon notification .  Please read and follow the guidelines carefully.
2. Returns the signed research contract to the director of Undergraduate Research

Student/faculty teams carry out their work between May and August 16, 2013.  Student researchers attend at least four group meetings.   Faculty mentors will provide a progress report to the director of Undergraduate Research by July 26, 2013 .  This report should confirm that the student has made adequate progress.  It is required for processing of the August payroll check.   Student researchers present posters representing their work at “A Taste of Research,” on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 4:00pm-6:00pm.