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Final project

Rationale

You will complete a small research project that will be personally engaging and professionally relevant, and hopefully, it will contribute to your professional and academic portfolio.

Expectations

You will complete a small research project or endeavor.  You have two options:
  1. You can design a small research project of your own.  Identify something that interests you.  It needs to be related to health information in some form.  We can negotiate the degree of this relevance, OR ALTERNATIVELY...
  2. You may participate in a mini-field study at a local health sciences library or information center.  The instructor will try to arrange mini-research projects to be conducted at a local institution.  You will gain experience at this institution, and complete a research project that is professionally relevant. 
    • There is a limited number of these field opportunities, so depending on class size, I can't guarantee every student a position .... but time will tell....
Your final product may be a presentation, a literature review, a research proposal, or any work that contributes to your Master's paper.

Because this is a research project, your final work will address the following research issues:
  • QUESTION: A relevant research question is asked
  • DATA COLLECTION: To find an answer to this question, peer-reviewed evidence is collected, and if applicable, data is collected.  You will include a minimum of 5 peer-reviewed research sources.
  • ANALYSIS: The evidence and data is analyzed, in which you will identify patterns and similarities or differences between the evidence/data. 
  • REPORTING: A final product is developed that discusses your work and its implications for professional practice.  The final project should also make recommendations for future work.  Please engage in evidence-based practice, where you support all claims by citing relevant research evidence and data.

How to start ...

If you wish to design your own project ...
  1. Make a 30 minute appointment to discuss your research interest with your instructor.  We will discuss the expectations and the due dates.  This must occur no later than Friday August 29, 2008.
  2. Work on your project throughout the semester.   Discuss with your instructor if necessary.
  3. Submit your project according to the parameters agreed upon earlier.
If you wish to participate in a field study ...
  1. Make a 30 minute appointment to discuss your research and professional interests with your instructor. This must occur no later than Friday August 29, 2008.
  2. You and the instructor will collectively contact a mentor and negotiate a project.  We will discuss the expectations and the due dates.  (For your information, here are the instructions for the host for sponsoring your final project).
  3. At the host site, you will spend 10-20 hours to engage in training orientation and relevant research activity.
  4. You spend approximately 30 hours, completing the research project as homework.
  5. Submit your project according to the parameters agreed upon earlier.

Grading scheme

60% of your final grade

 L
P
H
Research question and interpretation
  • Question is poorly formed (e.g., not answerable, not research oriented, etc.)
  • Question is not professionally relevant
  • Project did not respond to initial question asked
  •  Question is answerable and research oriented
  • Question is professionally relevant
  • Project responds to initial question asked
  • See  'P' grade expectations
  • Final report covers all relevant issues and makes significant and insightful points for each issue
Use of research evidence and data
  •  Does not use research evidence and data to support claims or suggestions
  • Does not demonstrate independent research
  •  Supports claims or suggestions with research evidence and data (if applicable)
  • Conducted independent research beyond class notes and discussions
  •  See 'P' grade expectations
  • Documents a methodical approach to research evidence gathering
Analysis: evaluation and synthesis of evidence
  •  Lacking evaluation and synthesis of research evidence
  •  Synthesized relevant evidence into a response to your research question
  • See 'P' grade
  •  Employs multiple sources of evidence from different perspectives
  • Critically evaluated evidence by identifying any issues concerning trustworthiness, bias, credibility, etc.
Conclusion including recommendations and future work
  •  Does not summarize key points or arguments
  • Lacking  discussion of the implications to professional practice
  • Lacking recommendations for future work
  •  Summarizes key points or arguments in response to the research question
  • Includes a discussion of the implications of the research results to professional practice
  • Includes recommendations for future research
  •  See 'P' grade expectations
  • Demonstrates  creative thought (e.g., identifying novel  approaches and solutions)
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the professional environment in describing research implications
Presentation and style of final product
  • Lacks organization and logical structure to argument
  • Poor spelling and grammar
  • Data and references are missing or not properly cited
  • Organized and logical structure to argument
  • Proper spelling and grammar
  • Data and references are properly cited and relevantly  presented
  • See 'P' grade expectations
  • Well organized with appropriate headings and sections mimicking published research studies
Professionalism
  • Very little effort put into project
  • Overall poor quality of work
  • Did not exhibit professional demeanor at field study site or in discussions with instructor
  • Adequate effort put into project
  • Overall good quality of work
  • Exhibited professional demeanor at field study site or in discussions with instructor
  • High quality of work and effort
  • High level of professionalism  (e.g., being on time, politeness, collaboration, thoughtful discussion, etc.)