academic projects meaning

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Should I include academic projects on my resume?

I'm currently applying for summer coop work-term jobs. The school recruiter told me to include a section called "Academic Projects" or simply "Projects" on my resume. However, I didn't do any real programming projects so far from my previous semester, so I'm not sure I have anything to put here.

My school recruiter also told me that I can include my assignments. Unfortunately, the assignments I did so far seems pretty useless and I'm not sure if it will do more harm than good. One such assignment is a custom-made Java buffered reader that reads each line of a text file while skipping comments.

I do have a programming blog that I used for posting some code snippets, technology news and algorithms. It is not very active, though.

• Is it a good idea to mention my blog on my resume?
• How can I represent academic projects on my resume and still look professional if the projects were tiny?

• 2 Hi user, welcome to the Workplace SE. I made an edit to your question to make it a bit more constructive and focus on points that can be answered with facts, references, or specific expertise. If my edits change the meaning of your question, please feel free to edit further to focus on specific questions. Hope this helps! –  jmort253 Commented Jan 22, 2013 at 5:35

2 Answers 2

As someone who's hired a few interns, I like the idea - having a place I could quickly brief myself on a potential interns projects would be a real win for me, and not something I see on most college resumes - so kudos to the recruiter at your school for some useful advice!

I'll contradict the recruiter slightly with the thought that I certainly don't want to see any minor homework projects that are so small you can't really talk about them. My metric would be:

• absolutely highlight any year long or half year long work (ie, a project that transcended the semester) - typically these are either self-motivated, or part of a graduation requirement
• hit 1-2 projects if they are whole semester/term projects
• skip anything half a term or less in scope

If you have 1-3 bullets in this section, you're doing great. The idea here is to give the person you'll be speaking to enough meat to ask a decent question. If there's not enough to the project to warrant talking about it, then skip it. The things I like to see most are projects that involved:

• work so big you weren't quite sure how to break it down at first
• examples of team work where you can talk a bit about group dynamics
• work so big that you had some major hurdles part way through and had to overcome some interesting obstacles
• if you managed to prove/disprove something surprising or brand new - even better

That's the kind of thing I'll probably ask about as we do an interview, so having a quick reference to the project, it's length, it's goal, and maybe 1-2 key techologies or topics involved in it, is the most useful, since I can quickly learn the topics if they are new to me.

What if I don't have any?

Then skip it. Highlight coursework, prior experience and job history.

At least when I went to school, many sophomores hadn't gotten there yet. But many Juniors had. In looking for a tech degree, I'd advise any college student to try to take advantage of the opportunity to do such a project before Junior year, as it shows a depth that will absolutely help with internships. But often many programs can't really accommodate this sort of complex work until after basic coursework has been accomplished, and that may be after sophomore year is over...

• Thanks The problem with my program is there are only 2 semesters followed by a coop term. And I'm currently starting my 2nd semester. 1st semester: Small individual, short(2-3 weeks) and useless assignments 2nd semester: There will be 2-3 BIG teamwork projects. (Haven't start it yet, because I just start this semester, but we have to submit our resume/interview next week! :( ) It seems that I may add a relevant coursework section and skip the projects section. –  user79124 Commented Jan 22, 2013 at 18:50

It depends on what else you have in your resume, and what kind of job you are applying for.

Considering the extreme cases: if you have lots of other good work experience, and you are applying for a job where Java or programming experience is not relevant, don't include those in "Projects"; if you don't have any work experience, and you're applying for a Java programming job, then ... include the "Projects" section and give it the best spin you can.

In balance, though: Hiring managers like to see 'accomplishments' listed in their applicant's resumes. For students with no prior work experience though, the closest thing you may have is just class projects (1). So, pick out 2~3 'accomplishments', whether they be class-projects or otherwise, and use whatever sections you need to to fit those into your resume.

Note 1. Other common 'accomplishments' for students would be extra-curricular activities, awards, scholarships, research, volunteer work, summer jobs, on-campus jobs, etc. Just make sure you have a story about how you achieved them and how that demonstrates the skills/qualities/values/etc that the employer is looking for.

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How to do a research project for your academic study

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Writing a research report is part of most university degrees, so it is essential you know what one is and how to write one. This guide on how to do a research project for your university degree shows you what to do at each stage, taking you from planning to finishing the project.

What is a research project? 

The big question is: what is a research project? A research project for students is an extended essay that presents a question or statement for analysis and evaluation. During a research project, you will present your own ideas and research on a subject alongside analysing existing knowledge. 

How to write a research report 

The next section covers the research project steps necessary to producing a research paper. 

Developing a research question or statement 

Research project topics will vary depending on the course you study. The best research project ideas develop from areas you already have an interest in and where you have existing knowledge. 

The area of study needs to be specific as it will be much easier to cover fully. If your topic is too broad, you are at risk of not having an in-depth project. You can, however, also make your topic too narrow and there will not be enough research to be done. To make sure you don’t run into either of these problems, it’s a great idea to create sub-topics and questions to ensure you are able to complete suitable research. 

A research project example question would be: How will modern technologies change the way of teaching in the future? 

Finding and evaluating sources 

Secondary research is a large part of your research project as it makes up the literature review section. It is essential to use credible sources as failing to do so may decrease the validity of your research project.

Examples of secondary research include:

• Peer-reviewed journals
• Scholarly articles
• Newspapers 

Great places to find your sources are the University library and Google Scholar. Both will give you many opportunities to find the credible sources you need. However, you need to make sure you are evaluating whether they are fit for purpose before including them in your research project as you do not want to include out of date information. 

When evaluating sources, you need to ask yourself:

• Is the information provided by an expert?
• How well does the source answer the research question?
• What does the source contribute to its field?
• Is the source valid? e.g. does it contain bias and is the information up-to-date?

It is important to ensure that you have a variety of sources in order to avoid bias. A successful research paper will present more than one point of view and the best way to do this is to not rely too heavily on just one author or publication. 

Conducting research 

For a research project, you will need to conduct primary research. This is the original research you will gather to further develop your research project. The most common types of primary research are interviews and surveys as these allow for many and varied results. 

Examples of primary research include: 

• Interviews and surveys 
• Focus groups 
• Experiments 
• Research diaries 

If you are looking to study in the UK and have an interest in bettering your research skills, The University of Sheffield is a  world top 100 research university  which will provide great research opportunities and resources for your project. 

Research report format  

Now that you understand the basics of how to write a research project, you now need to look at what goes into each section. The research project format is just as important as the research itself. Without a clear structure you will not be able to present your findings concisely. 

A research paper is made up of seven sections: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and results, discussion, conclusion, and references. You need to make sure you are including a list of correctly cited references to avoid accusations of plagiarism. 

Introduction 

The introduction is where you will present your hypothesis and provide context for why you are doing the project. Here you will include relevant background information, present your research aims and explain why the research is important. 

Literature review  

The literature review is where you will analyse and evaluate existing research within your subject area. This section is where your secondary research will be presented. A literature review is an integral part of your research project as it brings validity to your research aims. 

What to include when writing your literature review:

• A description of the publications
• A summary of the main points
• An evaluation on the contribution to the area of study
• Potential flaws and gaps in the research 

Methodology

The research paper methodology outlines the process of your data collection. This is where you will present your primary research. The aim of the methodology section is to answer two questions: 

• Why did you select the research methods you used?
• How do these methods contribute towards your research hypothesis? 

In this section you will not be writing about your findings, but the ways in which you are going to try and achieve them. You need to state whether your methodology will be qualitative, quantitative, or mixed. 

• Qualitative – first hand observations such as interviews, focus groups, case studies and questionnaires. The data collected will generally be non-numerical. 
• Quantitative – research that deals in numbers and logic. The data collected will focus on statistics and numerical patterns.
• Mixed – includes both quantitative and qualitative research.

The methodology section should always be written in the past tense, even if you have already started your data collection. 

Findings and results 

In this section you will present the findings and results of your primary research. Here you will give a concise and factual summary of your findings using tables and graphs where appropriate. 

Discussion 

The discussion section is where you will talk about your findings in detail. Here you need to relate your results to your hypothesis, explaining what you found out and the significance of the research. 

It is a good idea to talk about any areas with disappointing or surprising results and address the limitations within the research project. This will balance your project and steer you away from bias.

Some questions to consider when writing your discussion: 

• To what extent was the hypothesis supported?
• Was your research method appropriate?
• Was there unexpected data that affected your results?
• To what extent was your research validated by other sources?

Conclusion 

The conclusion is where you will bring your research project to a close. In this section you will not only be restating your research aims and how you achieved them, but also discussing the wider significance of your research project. You will talk about the successes and failures of the project, and how you would approach further study. 

It is essential you do not bring any new ideas into your conclusion; this section is used only to summarise what you have already stated in the project. 

References 

As a research project is your own ideas blended with information and research from existing knowledge, you must include a list of correctly cited references. Creating a list of references will allow the reader to easily evaluate the quality of your secondary research whilst also saving you from potential plagiarism accusations. 

The way in which you cite your sources will vary depending on the university standard.

If you are an international student looking to  study a degree in the UK , The University of Sheffield International College has a range of  pathway programmes  to prepare you for university study. Undertaking a Research Project is one of the core modules for the  Pre-Masters programme  at The University of Sheffield International College.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the best topic for research .

It’s a good idea to choose a topic you have existing knowledge on, or one that you are interested in. This will make the research process easier; as you have an idea of where and what to look for in your sources, as well as more enjoyable as it’s a topic you want to know more about.

What should a research project include? 

There are seven main sections to a research project, these are:

• Introduction – the aims of the project and what you hope to achieve
• Literature review – evaluating and reviewing existing knowledge on the topic
• Methodology – the methods you will use for your primary research
• Findings and results – presenting the data from your primary research
• Discussion – summarising and analysing your research and what you have found out
• Conclusion – how the project went (successes and failures), areas for future study
• List of references – correctly cited sources that have been used throughout the project. 

How long is a research project? 

The length of a research project will depend on the level study and the nature of the subject. There is no one length for research papers, however the average dissertation style essay can be anywhere from 4,000 to 15,000+ words. 

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Home » Research Project – Definition, Writing Guide and Ideas

Research Project – Definition, Writing Guide and Ideas

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Research Project

Definition :

Research Project is a planned and systematic investigation into a specific area of interest or problem, with the goal of generating new knowledge, insights, or solutions. It typically involves identifying a research question or hypothesis, designing a study to test it, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions based on the findings.

Types of Research Project

Types of Research Projects are as follows:

Basic Research

This type of research focuses on advancing knowledge and understanding of a subject area or phenomenon, without any specific application or practical use in mind. The primary goal is to expand scientific or theoretical knowledge in a particular field.

Applied Research

Applied research is aimed at solving practical problems or addressing specific issues. This type of research seeks to develop solutions or improve existing products, services or processes.

Action Research

Action research is conducted by practitioners and aimed at solving specific problems or improving practices in a particular context. It involves collaboration between researchers and practitioners, and often involves iterative cycles of data collection and analysis, with the goal of improving practices.

Quantitative Research

This type of research uses numerical data to investigate relationships between variables or to test hypotheses. It typically involves large-scale data collection through surveys, experiments, or secondary data analysis.

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research focuses on understanding and interpreting phenomena from the perspective of the people involved. It involves collecting and analyzing data in the form of text, images, or other non-numerical forms.

Mixed Methods Research

Mixed methods research combines elements of both quantitative and qualitative research, using multiple data sources and methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon.

Longitudinal Research

This type of research involves studying a group of individuals or phenomena over an extended period of time, often years or decades. It is useful for understanding changes and developments over time.

Case Study Research

Case study research involves in-depth investigation of a particular case or phenomenon, often within a specific context. It is useful for understanding complex phenomena in their real-life settings.

Participatory Research

Participatory research involves active involvement of the people or communities being studied in the research process. It emphasizes collaboration, empowerment, and the co-production of knowledge.

Research Project Methodology

Research Project Methodology refers to the process of conducting research in an organized and systematic manner to answer a specific research question or to test a hypothesis. A well-designed research project methodology ensures that the research is rigorous, valid, and reliable, and that the findings are meaningful and can be used to inform decision-making.

There are several steps involved in research project methodology, which are described below:

Define the Research Question

The first step in any research project is to clearly define the research question or problem. This involves identifying the purpose of the research, the scope of the research, and the key variables that will be studied.

Develop a Research Plan

Once the research question has been defined, the next step is to develop a research plan. This plan outlines the methodology that will be used to collect and analyze data, including the research design, sampling strategy, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.

Collect Data

The data collection phase involves gathering information through various methods, such as surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, or secondary data analysis. The data collected should be relevant to the research question and should be of sufficient quantity and quality to enable meaningful analysis.

Analyze Data

Once the data has been collected, it is analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques or other methods. The analysis should be guided by the research question and should aim to identify patterns, trends, relationships, or other insights that can inform the research findings.

Interpret and Report Findings

The final step in the research project methodology is to interpret the findings and report them in a clear and concise manner. This involves summarizing the results, discussing their implications, and drawing conclusions that can be used to inform decision-making.

Research Project Writing Guide

Here are some guidelines to help you in writing a successful research project:

• Choose a topic: Choose a topic that you are interested in and that is relevant to your field of study. It is important to choose a topic that is specific and focused enough to allow for in-depth research and analysis.
• Conduct a literature review : Conduct a thorough review of the existing research on your topic. This will help you to identify gaps in the literature and to develop a research question or hypothesis.
• Develop a research question or hypothesis : Based on your literature review, develop a clear research question or hypothesis that you will investigate in your study.
• Design your study: Choose an appropriate research design and methodology to answer your research question or test your hypothesis. This may include choosing a sample, selecting measures or instruments, and determining data collection methods.
• Collect data: Collect data using your chosen methods and instruments. Be sure to follow ethical guidelines and obtain informed consent from participants if necessary.
• Analyze data: Analyze your data using appropriate statistical or qualitative methods. Be sure to clearly report your findings and provide interpretations based on your research question or hypothesis.
• Discuss your findings : Discuss your findings in the context of the existing literature and your research question or hypothesis. Identify any limitations or implications of your study and suggest directions for future research.
• Write your project: Write your research project in a clear and organized manner, following the appropriate format and style guidelines for your field of study. Be sure to include an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.
• Revise and edit: Revise and edit your project for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Be sure to proofread for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors.
• Cite your sources: Cite your sources accurately and appropriately using the appropriate citation style for your field of study.

Examples of Research Projects

Some Examples of Research Projects are as follows:

• Investigating the effects of a new medication on patients with a particular disease or condition.
• Exploring the impact of exercise on mental health and well-being.
• Studying the effectiveness of a new teaching method in improving student learning outcomes.
• Examining the impact of social media on political participation and engagement.
• Investigating the efficacy of a new therapy for a specific mental health disorder.
• Exploring the use of renewable energy sources in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change.
• Studying the effects of a new agricultural technique on crop yields and environmental sustainability.
• Investigating the effectiveness of a new technology in improving business productivity and efficiency.
• Examining the impact of a new public policy on social inequality and access to resources.
• Exploring the factors that influence consumer behavior in a specific market.

Characteristics of Research Project

Here are some of the characteristics that are often associated with research projects:

• Clear objective: A research project is designed to answer a specific question or solve a particular problem. The objective of the research should be clearly defined from the outset.
• Systematic approach: A research project is typically carried out using a structured and systematic approach that involves careful planning, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Rigorous methodology: A research project should employ a rigorous methodology that is appropriate for the research question being investigated. This may involve the use of statistical analysis, surveys, experiments, or other methods.
• Data collection : A research project involves collecting data from a variety of sources, including primary sources (such as surveys or experiments) and secondary sources (such as published literature or databases).
• Analysis and interpretation : Once the data has been collected, it needs to be analyzed and interpreted. This involves using statistical techniques or other methods to identify patterns or relationships in the data.
• Conclusion and implications : A research project should lead to a clear conclusion that answers the research question. It should also identify the implications of the findings for future research or practice.
• Communication: The results of the research project should be communicated clearly and effectively, using appropriate language and visual aids, to a range of audiences, including peers, stakeholders, and the wider public.

Importance of Research Project

Research projects are an essential part of the process of generating new knowledge and advancing our understanding of various fields of study. Here are some of the key reasons why research projects are important:

• Advancing knowledge : Research projects are designed to generate new knowledge and insights into particular topics or questions. This knowledge can be used to inform policies, practices, and decision-making processes across a range of fields.
• Solving problems: Research projects can help to identify solutions to real-world problems by providing a better understanding of the causes and effects of particular issues.
• Developing new technologies: Research projects can lead to the development of new technologies or products that can improve people’s lives or address societal challenges.
• Improving health outcomes: Research projects can contribute to improving health outcomes by identifying new treatments, diagnostic tools, or preventive strategies.
• Enhancing education: Research projects can enhance education by providing new insights into teaching and learning methods, curriculum development, and student learning outcomes.
• Informing public policy : Research projects can inform public policy by providing evidence-based recommendations and guidance on issues related to health, education, environment, social justice, and other areas.
• Enhancing professional development : Research projects can enhance the professional development of researchers by providing opportunities to develop new skills, collaborate with colleagues, and share knowledge with others.

Research Project Ideas

Following are some Research Project Ideas:

Field: Psychology

• Investigating the impact of social support on coping strategies among individuals with chronic illnesses.
• Exploring the relationship between childhood trauma and adult attachment styles.
• Examining the effects of exercise on cognitive function and brain health in older adults.
• Investigating the impact of sleep deprivation on decision making and risk-taking behavior.
• Exploring the relationship between personality traits and leadership styles in the workplace.
• Examining the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating anxiety disorders.
• Investigating the relationship between social comparison and body dissatisfaction in young women.
• Exploring the impact of parenting styles on children’s emotional regulation and behavior.
• Investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for treating depression.
• Examining the relationship between childhood adversity and later-life health outcomes.

Field: Economics

• Analyzing the impact of trade agreements on economic growth in developing countries.
• Examining the effects of tax policy on income distribution and poverty reduction.
• Investigating the relationship between foreign aid and economic development in low-income countries.
• Exploring the impact of globalization on labor markets and job displacement.
• Analyzing the impact of minimum wage laws on employment and income levels.
• Investigating the effectiveness of monetary policy in managing inflation and unemployment.
• Examining the relationship between economic freedom and entrepreneurship.
• Analyzing the impact of income inequality on social mobility and economic opportunity.
• Investigating the role of education in economic development.
• Examining the effectiveness of different healthcare financing systems in promoting health equity.

Field: Sociology

• Investigating the impact of social media on political polarization and civic engagement.
• Examining the effects of neighborhood characteristics on health outcomes.
• Analyzing the impact of immigration policies on social integration and cultural diversity.
• Investigating the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes in older adults.
• Exploring the impact of income inequality on social cohesion and trust.
• Analyzing the effects of gender and race discrimination on career advancement and pay equity.
• Investigating the relationship between social networks and health behaviors.
• Examining the effectiveness of community-based interventions for reducing crime and violence.
• Analyzing the impact of social class on cultural consumption and taste.
• Investigating the relationship between religious affiliation and social attitudes.

Field: Computer Science

• Developing an algorithm for detecting fake news on social media.
• Investigating the effectiveness of different machine learning algorithms for image recognition.
• Developing a natural language processing tool for sentiment analysis of customer reviews.
• Analyzing the security implications of blockchain technology for online transactions.
• Investigating the effectiveness of different recommendation algorithms for personalized advertising.
• Developing an artificial intelligence chatbot for mental health counseling.
• Investigating the effectiveness of different algorithms for optimizing online advertising campaigns.
• Developing a machine learning model for predicting consumer behavior in online marketplaces.
• Analyzing the privacy implications of different data sharing policies for online platforms.
• Investigating the effectiveness of different algorithms for predicting stock market trends.

Field: Education

• Investigating the impact of teacher-student relationships on academic achievement.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of different pedagogical approaches for promoting student engagement and motivation.
• Examining the effects of school choice policies on academic achievement and social mobility.
• Investigating the impact of technology on learning outcomes and academic achievement.
• Analyzing the effects of school funding disparities on educational equity and achievement gaps.
• Investigating the relationship between school climate and student mental health outcomes.
• Examining the effectiveness of different teaching strategies for promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Investigating the impact of social-emotional learning programs on student behavior and academic achievement.
• Analyzing the effects of standardized testing on student motivation and academic achievement.

Field: Environmental Science

• Investigating the impact of climate change on species distribution and biodiversity.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of different renewable energy technologies in reducing carbon emissions.
• Examining the impact of air pollution on human health outcomes.
• Investigating the relationship between urbanization and deforestation in developing countries.
• Analyzing the effects of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Investigating the impact of land use change on soil fertility and ecosystem services.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of different conservation policies and programs for protecting endangered species and habitats.
• Investigating the relationship between climate change and water resources in arid regions.
• Examining the impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Investigating the effects of different agricultural practices on soil health and nutrient cycling.

Field: Linguistics

• Analyzing the impact of language diversity on social integration and cultural identity.
• Investigating the relationship between language and cognition in bilingual individuals.
• Examining the effects of language contact and language change on linguistic diversity.
• Investigating the role of language in shaping cultural norms and values.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of different language teaching methodologies for second language acquisition.
• Investigating the relationship between language proficiency and academic achievement.
• Examining the impact of language policy on language use and language attitudes.
• Investigating the role of language in shaping gender and social identities.
• Analyzing the effects of dialect contact on language variation and change.
• Investigating the relationship between language and emotion expression.

Field: Political Science

• Analyzing the impact of electoral systems on women’s political representation.
• Investigating the relationship between political ideology and attitudes towards immigration.
• Examining the effects of political polarization on democratic institutions and political stability.
• Investigating the impact of social media on political participation and civic engagement.
• Analyzing the effects of authoritarianism on human rights and civil liberties.
• Investigating the relationship between public opinion and foreign policy decisions.
• Examining the impact of international organizations on global governance and cooperation.
• Investigating the effectiveness of different conflict resolution strategies in resolving ethnic and religious conflicts.
• Analyzing the effects of corruption on economic development and political stability.
• Investigating the role of international law in regulating global governance and human rights.

Field: Medicine

• Investigating the impact of lifestyle factors on chronic disease risk and prevention.
• Examining the effectiveness of different treatment approaches for mental health disorders.
• Investigating the relationship between genetics and disease susceptibility.
• Analyzing the effects of social determinants of health on health outcomes and health disparities.
• Investigating the impact of different healthcare delivery models on patient outcomes and cost effectiveness.
• Examining the effectiveness of different prevention and treatment strategies for infectious diseases.
• Investigating the relationship between healthcare provider communication skills and patient satisfaction and outcomes.
• Analyzing the effects of medical error and patient safety on healthcare quality and outcomes.
• Investigating the impact of different pharmaceutical pricing policies on access to essential medicines.
• Examining the effectiveness of different rehabilitation approaches for improving function and quality of life in individuals with disabilities.

Field: Anthropology

• Analyzing the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures and identities.
• Investigating the relationship between cultural practices and health outcomes in different populations.
• Examining the effects of globalization on cultural diversity and cultural exchange.
• Investigating the role of language in cultural transmission and preservation.
• Analyzing the effects of cultural contact on cultural change and adaptation.
• Investigating the impact of different migration policies on immigrant integration and acculturation.
• Examining the role of gender and sexuality in cultural norms and values.
• Investigating the impact of cultural heritage preservation on tourism and economic development.
• Analyzing the effects of cultural revitalization movements on indigenous communities.

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The What: Defining a research project

During Academic Writing Month 2018, TAA hosted a series of #AcWriChat TweetChat events focused on the five W’s of academic writing. Throughout the series we explored The What: Defining a research project ; The Where: Constructing an effective writing environment ; The When: Setting realistic timeframes for your research ; The Who: Finding key sources in the existing literature ; and The Why: Explaining the significance of your research . This series of posts brings together the discussions and resources from those events. Let’s start with The What: Defining a research project .

Before moving forward on any academic writing effort, it is important to understand what the research project is intended to understand and document. In order to accomplish this, it’s also important to understand what a research project is. This is where we began our discussion of the five W’s of academic writing.

Q1: What constitutes a research project?

According to a Rutgers University resource titled, Definition of a research project and specifications for fulfilling the requirement , “A research project is a scientific endeavor to answer a research question.” Specifically, projects may take the form of “case series, case control study, cohort study, randomized, controlled trial, survey, or secondary data analysis such as decision analysis, cost effectiveness analysis or meta-analysis”.

Hampshire College offers that “Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data; documentation of critical information; and analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with suitable methodologies set by specific professional fields and academic disciplines.” in their online resource titled, What is research? The resource also states that “Research is conducted to evaluate the validity of a hypothesis or an interpretive framework; to assemble a body of substantive knowledge and findings for sharing them in appropriate manners; and to generate questions for further inquiries.”

TweetChat participant @TheInfoSherpa , who is currently “investigating whether publishing in a predatory journal constitutes blatant research misconduct, inappropriate conduct, or questionable conduct,” summarized these ideas stating, “At its simplest, a research project is a project which seeks to answer a well-defined question or set of related questions about a specific topic.” TAA staff member, Eric Schmieder, added to the discussion that“a research project is a process by which answers to a significant question are attempted to be answered through exploration or experimentation.”

In a learning module focused on research and the application of the Scientific Method, the Office of Research Integrity within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that “Research is a process to discover new knowledge…. No matter what topic is being studied, the value of the research depends on how well it is designed and done.”

Wenyi Ho of Penn State University states that “Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict and control the observed phenomenon.” in an online resource which further shares four types of knowledge that research contributes to education, four types of research based on different purposes, and five stages of conducting a research study. Further understanding of research in definition, purpose, and typical research practices can be found in this Study.com video resource .

Now that we have a foundational understanding of what constitutes a research project, we shift the discussion to several questions about defining specific research topics.

Q2: When considering topics for a new research project, where do you start?

A guide from the University of Michigan-Flint on selecting a topic states, “Be aware that selecting a good topic may not be easy. It must be narrow and focused enough to be interesting, yet broad enough to find adequate information.”

Schmieder responded to the chat question with his approach.“I often start with an idea or question of interest to me and then begin searching for existing research on the topic to determine what has been done already.”

@TheInfoSherpa added, “Start with the research. Ask a librarian for help. The last thing you want to do is design a study thst someone’s already done.”

The Utah State University Libraries shared a video that “helps you find a research topic that is relevant and interesting to you!”

Q2a: What strategies do you use to stay current on research in your discipline?

The California State University Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program Community Commons resource offers four suggestions for staying current in your field:

• Become an effective consumer of research
• Read key publications
• Attend key gatherings
• Develop a network of colleagues

Schmieder and @TheInfoSherpa discussed ways to use databases for this purpose. Schmieder identified using “journal database searches for publications in the past few months on topics of interest” as a way to stay current as a consumer of research.

@TheInfoSherpa added, “It’s so easy to set up an alert in your favorite database. I do this for specific topics, and all the latest research gets delivered right to my inbox. Again, your academic or public #librarian can help you with this.” To which Schmieder replied, “Alerts are such useful advancements in technology for sorting through the myriad of material available online. Great advice!”

In an open access article, Keeping Up to Date: An Academic Researcher’s Information Journey , researchers Pontis, et. al. “examined how researchers stay up to date, using the information journey model as a framework for analysis and investigating which dimensions influence information behaviors.” As a result of their study, “Five key dimensions that influence information behaviors were identified: level of seniority, information sources, state of the project, level of familiarity, and how well defined the relevant community is.”

Q3: When defining a research topic, do you tend to start with a broad idea or a specific research question?

In a collection of notes on where to start by Don Davis at Columbia University, Davis tells us “First, there is no ‘Right Topic.’”, adding that “Much more important is to find something that is important and genuinely interests you.”

Schmieder shared in the chat event, “I tend to get lost in the details while trying to save the world – not sure really where I start though. :O)” @TheInfoSherpa added, “Depends on the project. The important thing is being able to realize when your topic is too broad or too narrow and may need tweaking. I use the five Ws or PICO(T) to adjust my topic if it’s too broad or too narrow.”

In an online resource , The Writing Center at George Mason University identifies the following six steps to developing a research question, noting significance in that “the specificity of a well-developed research question helps writers avoid the ‘all-about’ paper and work toward supporting a specific, arguable thesis.”

• Choose an interesting general topic
• Do some preliminary research on your general topic
• Consider your audience
• Start asking questions
• Evaluate your question
• Begin your research

USC Libraries’ research guides offer eight strategies for narrowing the research topic : Aspect, Components, Methodology, Place, Relationship, Time, Type, or a Combination of the above.

Q4: What factors help to determine the realistic scope a research topic?

The scope of a research topic refers to the actual amount of research conducted as part of the study. Often the search strategies used in understanding previous research and knowledge on a topic will impact the scope of the current study. A resource from Indiana University offers both an activity for narrowing the search strategy when finding too much information on a topic and an activity for broadening the search strategy when too little information is found.

The Mayfield Handbook of Technical & Scientific Writing identifies scope as an element to be included in the problem statement. Further when discussing problem statements, this resource states, “If you are focusing on a problem, be sure to define and state it specifically enough that you can write about it. Avoid trying to investigate or write about multiple problems or about broad or overly ambitious problems. Vague problem definition leads to unsuccessful proposals and vague, unmanageable documents. Naming a topic is not the same as defining a problem.”

Schmieder identified in the chat several considerations when determining the scope of a research topic, namely “Time, money, interest and commitment, impact to self and others.” @TheInfoSherpa reiterated their use of PICO(T) stating, “PICO(T) is used in the health sciences, but it can be used to identify a manageable scope” and sharing a link to a Georgia Gwinnett College Research Guide on PICOT Questions .

By managing the scope of your research topic, you also define the limitations of your study. According to a USC Libraries’ Research Guide, “The limitations of the study are those characteristics of design or methodology that impacted or influenced the interpretation of the findings from your research.” Accepting limitations help maintain a manageable scope moving forward with the project.

Q5/5a: Do you generally conduct research alone or with collaborative authors? What benefits/challenges do collaborators add to the research project?

Despite noting that the majority of his research efforts have been solo, Schmieder did identify benefits to collaboration including “brainstorming, division of labor, speed of execution” and challenges of developing a shared vision, defining roles and responsibilities for the collaborators, and accepting a level of dependence on the others in the group.

In a resource on group writing from The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both advantages and pitfalls are discussed. Looking to the positive, this resource notes that “Writing in a group can have many benefits: multiple brains are better than one, both for generating ideas and for getting a job done.”

Yale University’s Office of the Provost has established, as part of its Academic Integrity policies, Guidance on Authorship in Scholarly or Scientific Publications to assist researchers in understanding authorship standards as well as attribution expectations.

In times when authorship turns sour , the University of California, San Francisco offers the following advice to reach a resolution among collaborative authors:

• Address emotional issues directly
• Elicit the problem author’s emotions
• Acknowledge the problem author’s emotions
• Express your own emotions as “I feel …”
• Set boundaries
• Try to find common ground
• Get agreement on process
• Involve a neutral third party

Q6: What other advice can you share about defining a research project?

Schmieder answered with question with personal advice to “Choose a topic of interest. If you aren’t interested in the topic, you will either not stay motivated to complete it or you will be miserable in the process and not produce the best results from your efforts.”

For further guidance and advice, the following resources may prove useful:

• 15 Steps to Good Research (Georgetown University Library)
• Advice for Researchers and Students (Tao Xie and University of Illinois)
• Develop a research statement for yourself (University of Pennsylvania)

Whatever your next research project, hopefully these tips and resources help you to define it in a way that leads to greater success and better writing.

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How to Include Personal and Academic Projects on Your Resume

Step 1: List Out the Basics

Step 2: brainstorm details, step 3: clarify your goals, step 4: delete irrelevant details, step 5: organize what remains, the bottom line.

Personal and academic projects can add depth to your resume and are especially useful if you’re a new college graduate or have limited experience. But that doesn’t mean you should include every project you’ve ever done. Having too much project info can clutter your resume and make it less appealing to recruiters and hiring managers. For this reason, you need to take a close look at your projects and include only the ones that support your goals for your job search.

Complete this exercise to select and organize the right project details for your resume.

First, open a new blank document on your computer and save it as “Master Projects List.” In this new document, enter a simple list of all your past projects. Include the basics: project name, dates, location, and school, if applicable.

Under each project you’ve listed, brainstorm and write down any positive details about the experience that immediately come to mind. Consider what you’re most proud of for each project and what the positive outcome was. While brainstorming, don’t worry about the order, relevance, or organization of details yet (we’ll get to that in steps 4 and 5).

Once you’re done brainstorming, scroll back up to the top of your document. Here, type out your goals for your job search, such as your target job title, duties, leadership level, industry, and company size. You may be undecided or indifferent in some areas. If so, write that down as well. For instance, if you’re open to industry, write “Industry: open.”

Save the document, and then save it as “Projects List – [Target Job Title].” (So, if your target job title is Research Assistant, save it as “Projects List – Research Assistant.”) You’ll be working on this new document for the rest of the exercise.

Now, here’s your most important task. Review your project notes in light of the goals you’ve identified and delete any details that don’t hold relevance. Take it one point at a time. For each ask and answer the same critical question: Does this overlap with the type of work you’ll be doing in your next job? Don’t be shy about deleting project details that are recent and/or objectively impressive. If they don’t relate to your goals, they don’t need to go on your resume. (At least, not this one. They may be relevant to a future version of your resume targeting a different goal. Hence the value of drafting and saving your “Master Projects List” document.)

Now that you’ve filtered out all but the most relevant details, you’re in the best position to add projects to your resume. For each project, you can organize the elements similar to a standard job description, with bullets showcasing your key points. Here’s a sample template you can adapt:

Project Name, School / Affiliated Organization, City, ST | dates

Position Title: Description of your role or standard duties.

• Bullet highlight

(If there was no school/organization or position title for a personal project, simply omit those items.)

Where to add projects

For any personal projects, create a separate resume section. You can title it “Independent Projects” (or “Independent Project Highlights” if you wound up deleting some in step 4).

For any academic project, you can choose where to add them. Either include them in a separate section titled “Academic Projects” (or “Academic Project Highlights”) or include them in the Education section of your resume.

The right choice for you will depend on how relevant your college degree is in relation to your projects. If your degree is about equally applicable, combining your projects with your Education section details usually makes sense. But you may find your college degree is less relevant than the school projects you’ve listed. Perhaps you’re moving in a different direction than your major, but through the overall degree program you did some other projects that now speak strongly to your goals. In this case, it makes more sense to put these projects in their own “Academic Projects” section. You can place them above your Education section, making the projects more prominent on your resume.

How to fine-tune dates

Another strategic choice you can make has to do with project dates. You can either list them as you do a regular job description (e.g., “January 2022 to May 2022”) or as a general time span (e.g., “Duration: 4 months”).

If listing the dates regularly lets you account for your recent experience , use that option. But if you’re already accounting for your recent experience through your work history, you can list project dates as a general time span. This option often has a tidier look, especially when you have many different projects that only lasted a few weeks or months. More importantly, it allows you the flexibility to reorder the projects by relevance to your goal. Reordering by relevance can be especially helpful when your most recent projects are less applicable than the ones you did earlier on.

If you would like to include personal or academic projects on your resume, you should select those that are most relevant to the job you are seeking. You’ll avoid putting off recruiters and hiring managers with details that don’t speak to their needs through a strict focus on relevancy. Follow this exercise, and you can be sure your projects section adds a welcome new dimension to your overall resume.

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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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See an example

Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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The Academic Proposal

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An academic proposal is the first step in producing a thesis or major project. Its intent is to convince a supervisor or academic committee that your topic and approach are sound, so that you gain approval to proceed with the actual research. As well as indicating your plan of action, an academic proposal should show your theoretical positioning and your relationship to past work in the area.

An academic proposal is expected to contain these elements:

• a rationale for the choice of topic, showing why it is important or useful within the concerns of the discipline or course. It is sensible also to indicate the limitations of your aims—don’t promise what you can’t possibly deliver.
• a review of existing published work (“the literature”) that relates to the topic. Here you need to tell how your proposed work will build on existing studies and yet explore new territory (see the file on The Literature Review ).
• an outline of your intended approach or methodology (with comparisons to the existing published work), perhaps including costs, resources needed, and a timeline of when you hope to get things done.

Particular disciplines may have standard ways of organizing the proposal. Ask within your department about expectations in your field. In any case, in organizing your material, be sure to emphasize the specific focus of your work—your research question. Use headings, lists, and visuals to make reading and cross-reference easy. And employ a concrete and precise style to show that you have chosen a feasible idea and can put it into action. Here are some general tips:

• Start with why your idea is worth doing (its contribution to the field), then fill in how (technicalities about topic and method).
• Give enough detail to establish feasibility, but not so much as to bore the reader.
• Show your ability to deal with possible problems or changes in focus.
• Show confidence and eagerness (use I and active verbs, concise style, positive phrasing).

(For help with thesis and grant proposals in graduate schools, see also our online handout on Academic Proposals in Graduate School .)

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Academic Projects

by AEUK | Sep 8, 2023 | Projects

Introduction

Most college and university courses assess their students learning through some kind of project. This not only measures the student’s achievement, but also helps to show whether they are prepared for the following academic year. The type of project that is selected very much depends on how many weeks and how much class time is allocated to the project, how much independent study the students will need to do outside of class, what kind of assessments your educational provider wishes to focus on and the type of assessments that the student will do in the next academic year.

Project suggestions

Although there are many types of projects, broadly speaking we have put together the most common ones:

• Portfolios.
• Research reports.

For each one, we provide a definition, a rationale and suggestions for creating/writing the project. At the end of the document, we provide some guidelines for assessment.

1. Academic Posters

Academic posters are a visual form of communicating academic research, projects or literature reviews that often combine elements of text and diagrams to convey ideas in a clear and concise way. Although traditionally used in hard science disciplines, this method of assessment is becoming increasingly common in many other disciplines too.

A student can demonstrate several skills through producing a poster: project management, teamwork, research skills, source selection, reading strategies, synthesising sources, summarising ideas concisely, referencing and illustrating their points through text and visuals.

Creating academic posters

You will need to decide if you want your students to create the posters to print or display electronically. In both cases, a single-power-point slide is very effective. If you wish the posters to be printed, then just make sure you change the slide size to the size you wish the posters to be; e.g., A3, and select whether you want landscape or portrait.

• For lesson materials on posters go here .
• For a poster template go here

2. Academic E-Portfolios

An academic e-portfolio is a collection of students work that represents their efforts and achievements in particular areas over a specified period. The learner is involved in the process as they are responsible for setting initial learning goals and selecting the best methods to achieve these goals through a process of reflection and evaluation.

They promote reflection and critical thinking, help to foster learner autonomy, help students to see gaps in their learning, provide a bridge between learning and assessment, encourage life-long learning, and also provide a digital record of achievement.

Creating academic e-portfolios

You will need to decide where you want your students to create the portfolios: OneNote or OneDrive are two good options (See here for OneDrive instructions), and you will need to set these up in advance. You will also need to agree a day per week when you will check their work and give them some feedback and feedforward tasks.

• For lesson materials on portfolios go here .
• For a portfolio template go here .
• For instructions on how to set up portfolios on OneDrive go here .

3. Research Report

A research report is an extended essay that presents a research question that the student sets out to answer through a process of primary research, such as surveys, interviews, observations or experiments, and secondary research, such as books, journals and articles.

The student learns and shows a wide range of skills: Time management, formulating a research question, research skills, creating a research instrument, data collection, data analysis, text organisation, creating figures, synthesising, summarising and referencing.  

Creating research reports

There are many different types of research reports, but they all share a similar structure and involve similar skills. One thing you need to think about is whether you want the students do primary and secondary research or just secondary.

For more information on the structure and purposes of reports go here :

4. Academic Essays

An essay is a piece of academic writing in response to a particular question or an issue. Essays involve writing clearly and concisely about a topic, taking a particular stance or position, building an argument, inductive reasoning and using examples and explanations to support the claim put forward.

The student will learn how to manage their time, analyse a title, find and evaluate sources, select relevant information through the use of reading strategies, select an appropriate essay structure, write an outline, respond to feedback, synthesise, summarise, paraphrase and reference sources as well as redraft and edit their work.

Creating essays

You will need to select the best type that suits the goals of the course and the subject the students are studying or preparing to study, but here are some common essay types that we have found popular in on EAP courses at UK universities: argument, compare and contrast, SPSE (situation, problem, solution evaluation), SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats), cause and effect, extended definition and reflective writing.

• For more information on types of essays go here.
• For more information on essay writing go here .

Guidelines for assessment

Most of the projects discussed in this document can be assessed through either the written word, the spoken word or both. The following table is a suggested assessment procedure for each type of project.

Benefits & Drawbacks of Assessment

If there is time in assessment week, then assessing the written and presented project has several benefits for the teacher and the student. These along with the drawbacks are outlines below.

Teacher: You can see clearly how much they have learnt about the topic through reading about their project and listening to the students discuss and evaluate their project. You can also ask them evaluative, analytical and reflective questions to get a more in-depth response.

Student: Provides useful practice in both written and public speaking skills leading to more confident individuals. You will be giving them the opportunity to demonstrate the work that they have been working on throughout the semester.

Teacher: Assessments are time consuming, and presentations in particular can take up a few days depending on the number of students, so therefore enough time would need to be allocated. You will also need to make sure you know the student’s project well before they present in addition to allowing adequate time for questions.

Student: Some students find presentations particularly challenging so if the course allows, students could record their presentations rather than doing it live and submit it through your institute’s Blackboard or similar.

Syllabus Download

12-week academic syllabus (new 2023), this 12-week syllabus is a guide to how our materials can be used on an academic english course. the course progresses through building a foundation of academic competence to enabling students to analyse and evaluate reading & listening texts effectively. the syllabus includes formative and summative tests, a reflective e-portfolio and project work. example syllabus . level: ** * ** [b1/b2/c1] teacher membership /   institutional membership, 6-week academic syllabus (new 2023), this 6-week syllabus is a guide to how our materials can be used on an academic english course. the course progresses through building a foundation of academic competence to enabling students to analyse and evaluate reading & listening texts effectively. the syllabus includes formative and summative tests, a reflective e-portfolio and project work. example syllabus . level: ** * ** [b1/b2/c1] teacher membership /   institutional membership, writing criteria, essay writing criteria x 2 (updated 2023).

There are two writing criterion in this download. One is a basic marking criteria that can be used to mark students’ general writing and the other criteria includes the use of sources. They are divided into three sections of Task ( 40% ) / Organisation ( 30% ) / Language ( 30% ) and have five grade levels A-F. It is a word document so you can add or change any of the rubric to suit your writing test. Example   Level: ** * ** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP  / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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Poster Writing Criteria

Poster writing criteria (new 2023).

This poster criteria is similar to the essay writing criteria but includes the use of images. It is divided into three sections of Task ( 40% ) / Organisation ( 30% ) / Language ( 30% ) and have five grade levels A-F. It is a word document so you can add or change any of the rubric to suit your writing test. Example Level: ** * ** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP  / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP  

Seminar Criteria

Seminar speaking criteria x 2 (updated 2023).

This includes one basic seminar speaking criteria to assess seminar speaking skills and contains four key criteria: Language Accuracy ( 20% ), Language Range ( 20% ), Pronunciation ( 20% ) & Communicative Effectiveness ( 40% ), and one seminar criteria that includes ‘reference to materials’. Example   Level: ** *** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP  / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Presentation Criteria

Presentation speaking c riteria (updated 2023).

This is a basic criteria to assess & grade presentation speaking skills. It has three key criteria: Language Accuracy & Language Range ( 25% ),  Fluency & P ronunciation ( 25% ) and  Presentation & Engagement ( 50% ).   Example   Level: ** *** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP  / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

E-Portfolio Presentation Criteria

E-portfolio presentation speaking c riteria (new 2023).

This i s a marking criteria to assess & grade the e-portfolio presentation speaking skills. It has four key criteria: Task Fulfilment & Content ( 40% ), Language Accuracy & Language Range ( 20% ),  Fluency & P ronunciation( 20% ) and Presentation & Engagement ( 20% ). Example   Level: ** *** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP  / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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Academic Posters

Academic posters 1: an introduction (new 2023).

This lesson is designed to help students to understand what an academic poster is and what the features of an academic poster are. It contains a range of exercises to help them as well as an activity where they analyse a first draft poster for things to improve and a final draft poster for its strengths and weaknesses. The students then create their own posters using a given topic and template . Example.   Level: ** * ** [B1/B2/C1]  / PPT Slides (link in paid download) TEACHER MEMBERSHIP  / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Academic Posters 2: Academic Poster Guidelines (new 2023)

This lesson provides a detailed set of guidelines to create an academic poster. it includes a first draft scientific poster with 10 mistakes and a final draft for comparison. the students can then create an academic poster based on these guidelines.   example.   level: ** * ** [b1/b2/c1] / video /  ppt slides (link in paid download) / teacher membership  / institutional membership, e-portfolios downloads.

E-Portfolios blog page link

Academic E-Portfolios

Academic e-portfolios (new 2023).

This lesson is designed to help students create an academic e-portfolio. It contains a range of exercises to help them understand what it is, why it is used, what makes an effective goal, how to show evidence of learning and how to reflect and evaluate. It includes a template the students can use to start creating their own e-portfolios . Example.   Level: ** * ** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP  / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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What Is a Capstone Project vs. Thesis

As students near the end of their academic journey, they encounter a crucial project called the capstone – a culmination of all they've learned. But what exactly is a capstone project? 

This article aims to demystify capstone projects, explaining what they are, why they matter, and what you can expect when you embark on this final academic endeavor.

Capstone Project Meaning

A capstone project is a comprehensive, culminating academic endeavor undertaken by students typically in their final year of study. 

It synthesizes their learning experiences, requiring students to apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies gained throughout their academic journey. A capstone project aims to address a real-world problem or explore a topic of interest in depth. 

As interdisciplinary papers, capstone projects encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. They allow students to showcase their mastery of their field of study and demonstrate their readiness for future academic or professional pursuits.

Now that we’ve defined what is a capstone project, let’s discuss its importance in the academic landscape. In case you have short-form compositions to handle, simply say, ‘ do my essay for me ,’ and our writers will take care of your workload.

Why Is a Capstone Project Important

A capstone project is crucial because it allows students to combine everything they've learned in school and apply it to real-life situations or big problems. 

It's like the ultimate test of what they know and can do. By working on these projects, students get hands-on experience, learn to think critically and figure out how to solve tough problems. 

Plus, it's a chance to show off their skills and prove they're ready for whatever comes next, whether that's starting a career or going on to more schooling.

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What Is the Purpose of a Capstone Project

Here are three key purposes of a capstone project:

Integration of Knowledge and Skills

Capstones often require students to draw upon the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout their academic program. The importance of capstone project lies in helping students synthesize what they have learned and apply it to a real-world problem or project. 

This integration helps students demonstrate their proficiency and readiness for graduation or entry into their chosen profession.

Culmination of Learning

Capstone projects culminate a student's academic journey, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. 

tackling a significant project or problem, students demonstrate their understanding of concepts and their ability to translate them into practical solutions, reinforcing their learning journey.

Professional Development

Capstone projects allow students to develop skills relevant to their future careers. These projects can also be tangible examples of their capabilities to potential employers or graduate programs.

Whether it's conducting research, presenting findings, or collaborating with peers, students gain valuable experience that enhances their professional readiness. 

Types of Capstone Projects

Capstones vary widely depending on the academic discipline, institution, and specific program requirements. Here are some common types:

What Is the Difference Between a Thesis and a Capstone Project

Here's a breakdown of the key differences between a thesis and a capstone project:

How to Write a Capstone Project

Let's dive into the specifics with actionable and meaningful steps for writing a capstone project:

1. Select a Pertinent Topic

Identify a topic that aligns with your academic interests, program requirements, and real-world relevance. Consider issues or challenges within your field that merit further exploration or solution. 

Conduct thorough research to ensure the topic is both feasible and significant. Here are some brilliant capstone ideas for your inspiration.

2. Define Clear Objectives

Clearly articulate the objectives of your capstone project. What specific outcomes do you aim to achieve? 

Whether it's solving a problem, answering a research question, or developing a product, ensure your objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

3. Conduct Comprehensive Research

Dive deep into existing literature, theories, and empirical evidence related to your chosen topic. Identify gaps, controversies, or areas for further investigation. 

Synthesize relevant findings and insights to inform the development of your project and provide a solid foundation for your analysis or implementation.

4. Develop a Structured Plan

What is a capstone project in college without a rigid structure? Outline a comprehensive plan for your capstone project, including key milestones, tasks, and deadlines. 

Break down the project into manageable phases, such as literature review, data collection, analysis, and presentation. Establish clear criteria for success and regularly monitor progress to stay on track.

5. Implement Methodological Rigor

If your project involves research, ensure methodological rigor by selecting appropriate research methods, tools, and techniques. 

Develop a detailed research design or project plan that addresses key methodological considerations, such as sampling, data collection, analysis, and validity. Adhere to ethical guidelines and best practices throughout the research process.

6. Analyze and Interpret Findings

Analyze your data or findings using appropriate analytical techniques and tools. Interpret the results in relation to your research questions or objectives, highlighting key patterns, trends, or insights. 

Critically evaluate the significance and implications of your findings within the broader context of your field or industry.

7. Communicate Effectively

Present your capstone project clearly, concisely, and compellingly. Whether it's a written report, presentation, or multimedia deliverable, tailor your communication style to your target audience. Clearly articulate your research questions, methodology, findings, and conclusions. 

Use visuals, examples, and real-world applications to enhance understanding and engagement. Be prepared to defend your project and answer questions from peers, faculty, or stakeholders.

In wrapping up, what is a capstone project? It’s like the grand finale of your academic journey, where all the knowledge and skills you've acquired come together in one big project. 

It's not just about passing a test or getting a grade – it's about proving you've got what it takes to make a real difference in the world. So, if you ever need capstone project help , our writers will gladly lend you a hand in no time.

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What Is a Capstone Project in College?

How to do a capstone project, how long does a capstone project take to complete.

Annie Lambert

specializes in creating authoritative content on marketing, business, and finance, with a versatile ability to handle any essay type and dissertations. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a passion for social issues, her writing not only educates but also inspires action. On EssayPro blog, Annie delivers detailed guides and thought-provoking discussions on pressing economic and social topics. When not writing, she’s a guest speaker at various business seminars.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• T. (2023, June 16). What Is a Capstone Project? National University. https://www.nu.edu/blog/what-is-a-capstone-project/
• Lukins, S. (2024, May 12). What is a capstone project? And why is it important? Top Universities. https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice-articles/what-capstone-project-why-it-important
• Capstone Project vs. Thesis: What’s the Difference? (2021, December 9). UAGC. https://www.uagc.edu/blog/capstone-project-vs-thesis-whats-difference

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ACADEMIC PROJECTS

Academic project, what is an academic projec t.

Formulating a Project Title of a Project

A comprehensive project title should be brief and must identify the population of interest, and the independent and dependent variables. Students should also adhere to the stipulated requirements related to the length of the project title.

Preparing an Abstract

An abstract should provide a summary of the academic project. Generally, an abstract is placed before the table of contents. A comprehensive abstract should highlight all the essential aspects of the project. Students should be cautious not to exceed the required length of the abstract that is estimated at 150-250 words. A comprehensive summary should highlight the project’s hypothesis, objectives, methodology, and findings.

Guidelines for Writing the Introduction

In the introduction section, the student should highlight the problem area and discuss its significance. A comprehensive introduction should contain the research questions, objectives, and hypotheses that will guide the academic project. Students should distinguish an introduction from a literature review. Whereas the introduction utilizes existing literature to highlight a problem area, the section does not synthesize the referenced studies.

Conducting a Literature Review

Guidelines for Writing the Method/Approach Section

The methodology section should contain a discussion of the design and project implementation plan. The method section should be detailed and comprehensive to promote replicability. A project’s methodology comprises the intended population, setting, instrumentation, data collection, data analysis, and ethical considerations. A subsection may be introduced to discuss the formulated project procedure. The procedure should highlight all the executed steps and treatments performed on the independent variables to study the changes in the dependent variables. The methodology section should also highlight the proposed data analysis techniques. Students should identify the software used and data analysis tests conducted to guarantee the replicability of their academic projects.

Guidelines for Writing the Findings and Discussion Sections

The length of the findings section often varies between qualitative and quantitative projects. The findings of a qualitative study may be lengthy because of the need to discuss the identified themes and their correlation to the formulated research questions. In the case of quantitative research, the findings ought to be tabulated because they fundamentally comprise statistics. The findings section should be followed by a discussion of the implications of the concluded academic project. The discussion section explains the observed outcomes. A comprehensive discussion should highlight the identified limitations and provide a basis for conducting future studies.

Factors to Consider When Writing an Academic Project

Conducting literature review is an important step in project writing. You need to be able to demonstrate why your research is important and how it will expand on knowledge in that particular field. Our company helps you conduct a literature review, which is a review of material that has already been published in relevant peer-reviewed journal articles and books. Our writers through years of experience are keen on using references that you or your supervisor recommended and that are most recent and relevant to your project. There are ethical considerations for all academic projects regardless of methodology. When offering  help in writing academic projects,  our writers help you strengthen your project by addressing ethics that govern project writing. Our writers understand that academic projects that do not observe ethics may be rejected.

Why Seek our Project Writing Services?

Our writers are time conscious. We deliver your work within the given time-frame. Once you order your  Project Writing Services,  you can follow up the writing progress with OpenBook Project Team and communicate any changes you may like. OpenBook Project Team ensures deadlines are met. In addition, our writers are experts and will, therefore, ensure quality and integrity of your research by meeting the standard project writing requirements. Our writers avoid use of casual language in project writing as it may portray lack of expertise.

To ensure thoroughness, an editor is assigned to supervise your work after you make your  project writing services  order. The editor ensures your work is done thoroughly with every instruction taken into account. OpenBook Project Team is also responsible for ensuring you are satisfied with our services by following up to see if you may need any revisions on your work. OpenBook  does not charge extra cost for work revision. In case you would like to make an inquiry on  help in writing academic projects , feel free to contact us on whatsapp number: 2348028999115 or click

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Projects on Your Resume: Listing Work and Academic Projects

Including projects on your resume is a great way to highlight your skills and experience. This section will discuss the importance of highlighting projects and skills, the positive impact projects can have on job applications, and how to highlight individual work and team collaboration.

Importance of Highlighting Projects and Skills

When you include your project work on your resume, you are showcasing your ability to take initiative, work independently or collaboratively, and contribute to meaningful projects. Projects completed both in a work or academic setting can demonstrate your ability to solve problems, create solutions, and demonstrate your subject matter expertise.

Employers are looking for candidates who can make a positive impact on the organization, and projects provide evidence of your ability to do so. By highlighting projects and skills, you can show potential employers that you have a track record of delivering quality work and generating meaningful insights.

How Projects Can Positively Impact Job Applications

Including projects on your resume can help you stand out from other applicants. In particular, if you have completed projects that are relevant to the job you are applying for, you can demonstrate that you have the specific experience and knowledge needed to excel in that role.

Additionally, projects can also indicate your work ethic, attention to detail, and willingness to take on new challenges. All of these attributes are highly valued by employers, and highlighting them on your resume can make you a stronger candidate in the hiring process.

Highlighting Individual Work and Team Collaboration

When highlighting projects on your resume, it is important to provide details about your individual contributions as well as your team collaboration. This can involve listing specific tasks you completed, detailing any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, and highlighting any specific skills you developed as a result of the project.

You should also describe how you worked with others on the project, providing examples of how you contributed to the overall success of the team. This can include detailing your team leadership skills, your ability to collaborate effectively, and your willingness to take on additional responsibilities to ensure the project’s success.

Listing your projects on your resume can add significant value to your job applications. By showcasing your skills, experience, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you are a strong candidate for the role.

Identifying Relevant Projects

When it comes to crafting a winning resume, including the right projects can make all the difference. But how do you know which ones deserve a spot on your CV? Here are some tips for identifying the most relevant projects to showcase your skills and impress potential employers.

Identifying the Right Projects for Inclusion in Your Resume

First things first, it’s important to know which projects to include on your resume. Not every project you’ve worked on may be relevant to the position you’re applying for. To determine which projects to include, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does this project align with the requirements of the job I’m applying for?
• Did I contribute significantly to the project’s success?
• Does this project showcase skills that are relevant to the job?

By answering these questions, you can narrow down the projects that are most relevant to the position and highlight your strengths.

Differentiating Between Work and Academic Projects

It’s also important to understand the differences between work and academic projects. Work projects typically involve real-world problems, specific goals, and deadlines, while academic projects focus on theoretical concepts and often have more open-ended outcomes.

When including academic projects on your resume, focus on the skills and knowledge gained rather than the project itself. For example, if you worked on a research project, emphasize the research skills and analytical abilities you gained rather than the particulars of the project.

Identifying the Most Impressive Projects

Finally, once you’ve narrowed down your project list, it’s time to identify the most impressive ones. These are the projects that demonstrate your expertise, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. To identify these projects, consider the following:

• Projects with notable outcomes or achievements
• Projects that required innovative solutions or unique approaches
• Projects with clear metrics that demonstrate success

By highlighting these impressive projects on your resume, you’ll be able to stand out from the competition and showcase your potential as an employee.

Identifying the most relevant projects to include on your resume requires careful consideration of the position, your skills, and the projects themselves. By following these tips, you’ll be able to craft a winning resume that showcases your achievements and makes you a top candidate for the job.

Types of Projects to Include on Resume

When listing projects on your resume, it’s important to understand the different types of projects that can be included. These include academic projects, work-related projects, and personal projects. In this section, we’ll discuss each type and how to select the most relevant projects for your career.

Understanding Different Types of Projects

Academic projects refer to projects completed during your studies. These can be individual or group projects and can include research papers, case studies, presentations, or capstone projects. Academic projects demonstrate your ability to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve gained in your studies to real-world problems.

Work-related projects include any projects completed during your employment, such as product launches, marketing campaigns, process improvements, or software development projects. Work-related projects demonstrate your ability to work in a team and deliver results in a professional setting.

Personal projects refer to projects you complete outside of work or school, such as volunteer work, blog writing, or creating a website. These projects demonstrate your personal interests and skills.

Selecting the Most Relevant Projects for Your Career

When selecting projects to include on your resume, it’s important to choose projects that are relevant to your career goals. For example, if you are applying for a job as a software developer, you should list work-related or academic projects related to software development or computer science.

It’s also important to choose projects that demonstrate your unique skills and strengths. For example, if you are an excellent communicator, you could include a project that required strong communication skills or involved leading a team.

Using Examples to Showcase Projects Effectively

When listing projects on your resume, make sure to provide specific examples of your accomplishments and contributions. For example, instead of simply stating that you worked on a team project, provide details on your role in the project and the results achieved.

Additionally, make sure to quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, you could mention how the project you worked on resulted in increased sales, improved customer satisfaction, or cost savings for your company.

By understanding the different types of projects and selecting the most relevant ones for your career, you can effectively showcase your skills and accomplishments on your resume.

How to List Projects on Resume

When it comes to listing projects on your resume, proper formatting and clear organization are crucial. A well-structured project section can showcase the depth of your experience and expertise and help you stand out from other applicants. In this section, we will discuss the different sections to include and how to give enough details to showcase the depth of the project.

Proper Formatting and Organization

The first step in listing projects on your resume is to ensure proper formatting and organization. This includes using bullet points to make your information easy to read, using clear headings and sections to highlight different projects, and ensuring consistency in font and formatting.

When listing your projects, consider breaking them down into sub-headings, such as Work Projects, Academic Projects, or Volunteer Projects. This can help to give context to the reader and make it clear what type of experience you have in each area.

Explanation of the Different Sections to Include

The following sections should be included in your project section:

Project Title: This should be the name of the project you worked on.

Description: In a few sentences, describe the project, your role, and your contributions. Be sure to highlight the skills you used and the results you achieved.

Date: Include the month and year of your involvement in the project.

Skill Keywords: Include keywords that are relevant to the skills you utilized in the project. This can include technical skills, such as programming languages, or soft skills, such as communication or leadership.

Results and Achievements: Where possible, include specific results or achievements from the project. This could be a successful launch, a positive feedback from superiors or increased engagement numbers.

Giving Enough Details to Showcase the Depth of the Project

When listing your projects, be sure to give enough details to showcase the depth of your experience. This can include the size of the team you worked with, the budget of the project, and any challenges you faced and overcame. Additionally, highlighting the specific skills you utilized and the results you achieved can help to demonstrate your expertise.

However, be careful not to insert too much detail. As a rule of thumb, your project descriptions should be no more than 3-4 bullet points. Keep your information clear, concise, and relevant.

When listing projects on your resume, proper formatting and organization are key. Include the project title, description, date, skill keywords, and achievements. Be specific in the details provided, but avoid overloading with unnecessary information. With these tips, you can create a clear and concise project section that showcases your expertise and experience to potential employers.

Tips for Describing Projects on Resume

When it comes to showcasing your work and academic projects on your resume, clear and concise descriptions are key. Here are some tips to help you effectively describe your projects:

Writing Clear Descriptions

Make sure your descriptions are easy to understand and free of technical jargon. Use simple language to explain what the project entailed and what you achieved. Consider including the problem you solved, the approach you took, and the outcome of the project.

Defining Your Role within the Project

It’s important to clearly define your role within the project. Did you lead the project or were you a team member? What were your specific responsibilities? This will give potential employers a better understanding of your skills and expertise.

Showcasing the Size and Scope of a Project

Use numbers and data to showcase the size and scope of the project. This could include things like the budget, the number of people involved, or the timeline of the project. Also, consider including any awards or notable recognitions the project received.

When describing your projects on your resume, be sure to focus on the impact and results you achieved. By outlining your specific contributions and showcasing the size and scope of the project, you can make a strong case for your experience and expertise.

Example: Listing Work Projects

When it comes to showcasing your experience on a resume, listing your work projects can be an effective way to demonstrate your skills, responsibilities, and accomplishments. This section will provide examples of project descriptions that can help you tailor your own resume to highlight your unique experience.

Each example project description should focus on the core skills you utilized during the project, the responsibilities you had, and any achievements or accomplishments that resulted from your work. By demonstrating your value through these descriptions, you can effectively communicate your potential to future employers.

Including relevant work projects on your resume can also help you stand out from other candidates. In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to show that you have real-world experience and have successfully tackled complex tasks related to your job or industry. Listing specific projects shows that you have a deep understanding of your current role and the skills necessary to excel in it.

When selecting which projects to include on your resume, consider the significance of each project. Did it have a measurable impact on your company, industry, or community? Did you play a key role in the project’s success? If so, be sure to highlight your contribution and the results of your efforts.

Including work projects on your resume can give you a significant edge over other candidates. By showcasing your skills, responsibilities, and accomplishments, you demonstrate that you are a valuable asset to any organization. So, take the time to carefully select and highlight your most important projects and watch as potential employers take notice of your experience and potential.

Example: Listing Academic Projects

This section is dedicated to showcasing examples of academic project descriptions that effectively highlight skills, knowledge, and academic accomplishments.

When it comes to crafting a compelling resume, it’s important to include relevant projects that showcase your abilities and achievements. Academic projects offer a unique opportunity to showcase your expertise in a particular area and demonstrate your commitment to your field of study.

Academic projects can range from research papers and case studies to group projects and presentations. When listing these projects on your resume, it’s important to highlight the skills and knowledge that you gained while completing them. This could include things like critical thinking, problem-solving, research, writing, presentation, and teamwork skills.

Including academic projects on your resume can also demonstrate your commitment to your field of study and your desire to continue learning and growing in your profession. It can show potential employers that you are dedicated to your craft and that you have a deep understanding of the subject matter.

Including academic projects on your resume can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and commitment to your field. When listing your academic projects, be sure to focus on the skills and knowledge that you gained from them and explain how they are relevant to the position or field that you’re applying to.

Including Non-Project Experience

When it comes to listing projects on your resume, it’s important to understand how to balance non-project experience with project experience. Non-project experience can include part-time jobs, internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and personal projects.

While project experience can demonstrate your skills in a specific field, non-project experience can showcase your transferable skills, such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork.

To highlight your transferable skills, it’s essential to provide a brief description of your non-project experience on your resume. For example, instead of simply writing “Cashier at ABC Store,” you could write “Provided excellent customer service, handled cash and credit card transactions, and trained new employees.” This way, you’re not just listing your job title, you’re demonstrating the skills you gained from the job.

Another way to use non-project experience on your resume is to support your project descriptions. For example, if you completed a project that required you to work with a team, you could mention your experience as a team captain in your college club. Or, if you developed a website for a project, you could mention your experience in freelance web design.

Including non-project experience on your resume can be advantageous in showcasing your transferable skills and supporting your project descriptions. Remember to balance your non-project and project experience appropriately and demonstrate the skills you gained from each experience.

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to your resume, showcasing your projects can be a great way to highlight your skills and experience. However, there are some common mistakes to avoid when listing your projects. Here are some tips to help you avoid pitfalls and strengthen your project descriptions:

Discussion of common mistakes when listing projects

Failing to provide context: When listing your projects, it’s important to provide context for each one. This includes explaining your role in the project, the goals and objectives, and the outcomes achieved. Without this information, your project descriptions may be unclear and unimpressive.

Being too vague: Don’t be afraid to get into the details of your projects. Give concrete examples of the work you did and the impact it had. Vague project descriptions can be a turn-off for potential employers.

Focusing only on technical skills: While technical skills are important, remember that your projects also demonstrate your teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. Make sure your descriptions highlight these important soft skills as well.

Avoiding common traps and pitfalls

Listing irrelevant projects: When deciding which projects to include on your resume, make sure they are relevant to the job you are applying for. Listing too many or irrelevant projects can be overwhelming for the reader and detract from your more important experiences.

Only including completed projects: If you have projects that are still in progress, don’t be afraid to list them. Showcasing your ability to manage ongoing projects can be an impressive quality to potential employers.

Not showcasing your unique contributions: Make sure your project descriptions highlight your specific contributions and achievements. This can help differentiate you from other candidates with similar project experience.

Pointers for strengthening your project descriptions

Use action verbs: Start your project descriptions with strong action verbs to emphasize your accomplishments. Words like “managed,” “developed,” and “implemented” can convey a sense of leadership and accomplishment.

Quantify your results: Whenever possible, include specific metrics to quantify the results of your projects. This can help demonstrate the impact of your work in a concrete way.

Keep it concise: While it’s important to provide details about your projects, make sure your descriptions are still concise and easy to read. Stick to the most important information and avoid rambling or unnecessary details.

By avoiding common resume mistakes and strengthening your project descriptions, you can make your resume an impressive representation of your experience and skills. Use these tips to showcase your project work and stand out from other candidates.

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How to write declaration for academic projects (Undertaking by Candidate)

December 25, 2018 by studymumbai Leave a Comment

How to write a declaration for school/college projects and for assignments.

Every academic project has to follow a specific format as prescribed by the institution. In most cases, besides the usual parts (index, introduction, conclusion, etc), it also requires a declaration.

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The declaration states that the work is original and done by the efforts of the student, and has not been copied from any other work.

In case you are looking for some format, here is one. Here’s how to write a declaration for an academic project or for assignments.

I, the undersigned Mr. / Miss ……….declare that the work embodied in this project work hereby, titled “…………”, forms my own contribution to the research work carried out under the guidance of Mr./Dr………. is a result of my own research work and has not been previously submitted to any other University for any other Degree/ Diploma to this or any other University.

Wherever reference has been made to previous works of others, it has been clearly indicated as such and included in the bibliography.

I, here by further declare that all information of this document has been obtained and presented in accordance with academic rules and ethical conduct.

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• How to List Projects on a...

How to List Projects on a Resume (with Examples)

10 min read · Updated on February 23, 2024

Projects on your resume can prove you have what it takes to succeed

You've likely heard a few catchphrases related to resume writing. Things like “show, don't tell” and “be an achiever, not a doer.”  One of the most effective ways to put these principles into action is by including projects on your resume. But how exactly do you list projects on a resume, and why are they so important?

You've come to the right place. Here, you'll learn how to list projects on your resume in a way that catches the eye of hiring managers and helps you to stand out from the competition. 

It doesn't matter if you're fresh out of college or have a decade of experience under your belt; including projects on your resume can significantly enhance your chances of landing your dream job.

Your old resume may have been a list of work experiences, but your new resume will outshine the competition and win you the interviews you seek. 

Projects vs work experience

Depending on where you're at in your career, it can be tough to separate projects from actual work experience, especially if you're a freelancer or regularly tackle projects as a part of your job. While both are exceedingly valuable in telling your career story, you have to be a bit discerning to determine which is more important. 

Obviously, you gain experience from working at jobs and completing projects, but listing projects separately can help you to highlight specific skills that might get lost when you explain work you did in a previous job. 

The main differences can be summarized as: 

Projects are concise and specific

Work history provides a broader view of your career trajectory

At the end of the day, you must pick the things you want to include on your resume with the aim of balancing your knowledge and skills with what's being called for in the job description. Relevancy and tailoring your resume are critical, allowing prospective employers to see what you have to offer their team. 

Why listing projects can be good for you

When you're trying to prove to an employer that you're an achiever rather than a doer, having a project or two to back up your claims can do wonders for your candidacy. Not only do projects on your resume have the ability to demonstrate relevant skills, but they also allow you to showcase initiative and accomplishments. 

In the context of standing out from the crowd, projects on your resume can add depth to your experience to paint a more well-rounded and comprehensive picture of what you bring to the table for the new employer. One thing that a lot of people miss is that you can also use projects on your resume to fill in any experience gaps that may be present. 

Types of projects you can highlight on your resume

While the projects you list on your resume are as unique as you are, there are some common types. Knowing what type of project you're going to list on your resume will help you to determine if the project is relevant and can also guide you in knowing where on your resume to list it. 

There are four basic types.

This is any project you've done in your position with a company. It was probably part of your job description, but it could've also been something you were called on to do outside of your day-to-day role. Perhaps you led a team to launch a new product or created a new process for doing something that saved time and money. Work projects are good to have on your resume because they demonstrate that you're the type of person to go above and beyond to achieve an objective. 

2. Academic

These are projects that you complete in a classroom or educational setting. You'll definitely need to include academic projects if you're fresh out of college and have little to no work history or relevant professional experience. Academic projects for your resume can be anything from conducting a research study and writing a thesis or dissertation to developing a software application as part of a class project. Including academic projects on your resume gives you a chance to highlight relevant skills and prove to a future employer that you have a passion for learning and development. After all, continuous improvement is a highly sought-after skill. 

3. Personal

Sometimes, you get bored at home and decide you want to build a personal website or create a blog. There have even been folks who've created apps that work with their smart home devices to automate activities. It doesn't matter that these are personal projects, if you find that your resume is lacking particular skills or achievements you can use these projects on your resume to round out your candidacy. That said, adding a personal project to your resume should be a last resort. 

4. Freelance

'Tis the time we live in – a lot of people work as independent contractors or freelance. It's a great way to fill in employment gaps or have some income if you're on a sabbatical . The most common freelance projects center around things like graphic design, marketing, tech, and writing. These types of projects can be valuable additions to your resume. 

How to add projects to your resume

Since you want to keep your resume relevant to the job you're applying for, the first step is to create a list of projects from your history and compare them to what employers need. 

Analyze the job description to dissect out the keywords and phrases. Once you have that list, compare it to the skills and achievements you can talk about with each project. Beyond picking the right project to match the job, you also have to consider space.

Bear these guidelines in mind:

Pick projects for your resume that match the job description

Pick projects that allow you to keep your resume on the right number of pages

The final step is to properly format the project entries in their respective sections. 

Where to include projects on your resume

For the most part, you'll format a project listing the same way you would a work history listing. The only difference is that you may not have a company to list indicating where you did the project. If you can't list the client or location associated with the project, don't let that stop you from adding it. 

As you would expect, work projects would be listed in the Professional Experience section, academic projects are best suited in the Education section, and some projects may even merit having their own special section. 

What does all of that look like? Let's take a look.

Projects in their own section 

For the most part, your resume should have at least five sections:

Contact information

Profile (which contains your title and summary paragraph)

Work history

You can also add an entirely new section called “Projects,” “Selected Projects,” “Relevant Projects,” or “Academic Projects.” 

Depending on how hard you have to lean on those projects to wow a hiring manager will be the deciding factor on whether you place this new section above or below “Professional Experience.” If you really need them to make your candidacy, then put them above. If you want them on there just to give the hiring manager one more glimpse into what you can do, then put them below. 

Example of projects in their own section

You should create a title for the section and then list each project with relevant bullet points that call out things you achieved in working on that project. It's also appropriate to put the dates you were working on each project. 

Selected Projects

Post Evaluation Platinum LEED Office Building | 04/2022 - 10/2022

Used advanced knowledge of Occupant Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Survey benchmarks and performed literature review / precedent studies to present data-driven solutions regarding visual and thermal comfort. 

Authored and presented findings related to underfloor air distribution (UFAD) system analysis. 

Integrated Façade Simulator: Hybrid Reality Simulations for Assessing Human Façade Interaction | 09/2020 - 05/2021

Created a novel integrated hybrid system that simulated a multi-sensory environment and observed participants and the impact of environmental stimuli for sensation, perception of comfort, and energy consumption. 

Projects in the experience section

If you're one of those people who get chosen by a boss to work on a project or if you've spent a significant time as an independent contractor , then it's probably going to serve you best to include projects within the “Professional Experience” section of your resume. 

Example of projects in the experience section

Format it like you would any other position within your experience section, including the name of the company, the dates you were employed, your position title, and some achievement bullets. Then, beneath those achievement bullets for your job, add “Noted Projects” and talk about the project as separate from what you accomplished as an employee. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

XYZ Company | Location 05/2015 to Present

Senior Biologist

Achievement bullet #1

Achievement bullet #2

Achievement bullet #3

Noted Projects:

Major Development Plan and Infrastructure Project – 03/2019 - 06/2021

Monitored site conditions to ensure the protection of sensitive species, including California gnatcatcher, cactus wren, least Bell's vireo, arroyo chub, arroyo toad, and general nesting birds.

Oversaw end-to-end project management processes, including scoping, planning, timelines, delivery, execution, and status reporting. 

Subdivision Development Project – 04/2013 - 01/2017

Directed biological resource protection initiatives for a 180-acre development project, resulting in approximately 475 acres of preserved, restored, and enhanced habitats. 

Conducted protocol and non-protocol environmental impact surveys for 3 years, in the wake of a widespread wildfire, to assess gnatcatcher habitat, population density, and movement. 

Projects in the education section

It can be hard to craft a resume when you've just graduated college and have no real experience to show future employers. Fortunately, you can lean on things you did at school to inject experiences, achievements, and skills into your resume. You just write an expanded education section. 

Relate reading: How to List Education on Your Resume (with Examples)

Example of projects in the education section

Whether you're listing your GPA or relevant coursework, you can always add some college projects to your resume education section if you need to prove your salt to a new company. 

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Bachelor of Finance, | State University – Location (Expected May 2024)

Coursework : Current Economic Problems, Macroeconomics, Accounting Principles, Money and Capital Markets, Business Statistics, Spreadsheet Modeling in Finance, Global Financial Markets

Academic projects

Secured funding for a non-fungible token (NFT) from State University's Board of Trustees and generated a 100% return on investment (ROI). 

Placed in the top 10% of a financial modeling competition. Analyzed comparative values over time to predict future performance and identified a portfolio of stocks that were graded and ranked in terms of profit and loss and accuracy of predictions. 

Projects on your resume win interviews

Remember that the main goal of your resume is to win interviews. Adding projects can be just the thing that makes you stand out from the crowd of job seekers. Use projects wisely, though. Leverage them to boost your skills, enhance your achievements, and inject necessary keywords into your resume that align with what the job description asks for in a new employee. 

Once you get all of that written, we'll give it a once-over for you with a free resume review . After all, it's always good to get expert, objective feedback on your resume. 

Recommended reading:

Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

Ask Amanda: How Do I List Self-Employment & Freelance Work On My Resume?

47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks

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• Open access
• Published: 06 July 2024

Strengthening a culture of research dissemination: A narrative report of research day at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, a tertiary-level teaching hospital in Rwanda

• Kara L. Neil 1 ,
• Richard Nduwayezu 1 ,
• Belise S. Uwurukundo 1 ,
• Damas Dukundane 1 ,
• Ruth Mbabazi 1 &
• Gaston Nyirigira 1  

BMC Medical Education volume  24 , Article number:  732 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

There are significant gaps in research output and authorship in low- and middle-income countries. Research dissemination events have the potential to help bridge this gap through knowledge transfer, institutional collaboration, and stakeholder engagement. These events may also have an impact on both clinical service delivery and policy development. King Faisal Hospital Rwanda (KFH) is a tertiary-level teaching hospital located in Kigali, Rwanda. To strengthen its research dissemination, KFH conducted an inaugural Research Day (RD) to disseminate its research activities, recognize staff and student researchers at KFH, define a research agenda for the hospital, and promote a culture of research both at KFH and in Rwanda.

RD was coordinated by an interdisciplinary committee of clinical and non-clinical staff at KFH. Researchers were encouraged to disseminate their research across all disciplines. Abstracts were blind reviewed using a weighted rubric and ranked by overall score. Top researchers were also awarded and recognized for their work, and equity and inclusion was at the forefront of RD programming.

RD had over 100 attendees from KFH and other public, private, and academic institutions. Forty-seven abstracts were submitted from the call for abstracts, with the highest proportion studying cancer (17.02%) and sexual and reproductive health (10.64%). Thirty-seven researchers submitted abstracts, and most of the principal investigators were medical doctors (35.14%), allied health professionals (27.03%), and nurses and midwives (16.22%). Furthermore, 30% of principal investigators were female, with the highest proportion of them being nurses and midwives (36.36%).

RD is an effective way to disseminate research in a hospital setting. RD has the potential to strengthen the institution’s research agenda, engage the community in ongoing projects, and provide content-area support to researchers. Equity and inclusion should be at the forefront of research dissemination, including gender equity, authorship representation, and the inclusion of interdisciplinary health professionals. Stakeholder engagement can also be utilized to strengthen institutional research collaboration for greater impact.

Peer Review reports

Significant gaps in research output and author representation exist based on geographic region, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). For example, one study conducted by The Lancet Global Health found that while 92% of articles target interventions in LMICs, only 35% of authors are actually from or work in those LMICs [ 1 ]. The Initiative to Strengthen Health Research Capacity in Africa identified nine key requirements for strengthening health research on the continent, including institutional support, providing research funding, promoting networks and research dissemination, and providing tools for conducting research [ 2 ]. In line with this, research dissemination events can be utilized to strengthen the research culture, institutional collaboration and knowledge transfer, and to engage stakeholders. Alongside knowledge transfer, these events can also impact both clinical service delivery and policy development [ 3 ]. This is further corroborated by an article on establishing a clinical research network in Rwanda, highlighting the importance of strengthening research partnerships and dissemination opportunities to mitigate the disease burden in Rwanda and the region [ 4 ].

King Faisal Hospital Rwanda (KFH) is a tertiary-level teaching hospital in Kigali, Rwanda. As a teaching hospital, KFH hosts hundreds of health professional students, including medical students, residents, fellows, allied health professionals, and nurses. Furthermore, KFH hosts some of Rwanda’s most highly specialized medical services and their respective subspecialty fellow trainees, including a catheterization laboratory, cardiothoracic surgery, and renal transplant surgery. While KFH previously had a focal person for education and research activities, there was no full-time team in place to manage this. Therefore, to mitigate this, KFH established a Division of Education, Training, and Research in 2021 to oversee the ongoing teaching and learning activities, including research capacity building and output. KFH also has its own Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review and approve research projects conducted at the hospital, and to monitor the overall uptake in research activity. Alongside the highly specialized services and training hosted at KFH, the hospital is putting significant effort into strengthening its research capacity and culture to ensure that evidence-based practice is at the forefront of strengthening these clinical services.

The trend of research activity at KFH is also increasing, and Fig.  1 outlines the trend of KFH IRB submissions from 2009 to 2023. From 2009 to 2020, the trend in research activity was inconsistent and without a significant increase in activity. However, since 2020, there has been a significant upward trend in research activity. This is most likely attributed to the emphasis placed on evidence-based research and practice by the hospital’s leadership over the past several years. However, the numbers are still low, and further interventions are needed to improve this activity.

Trend of KFH IRB Submissions

Research institutions and teaching hospitals are mandated to provide clinical serives, train health professionals, and conduct research. However, researchers in these institutions may not have institutionalized means of sharing their research findings with the relevant departments and leadership upon completing their research. This can result in a lack of known or implemented findings in the institutions where the research was conducted. This can also lead to the duplication of efforts, especially when research findings have not been locally disseminated or published. In response to this, having dedicated dissemination events will not only support clinical researchers to share their findings, but will also support institutions in conducting more meaningful research in relation to the institutional or national priorities, and building off of previously conducted studies.

The aim of this narrative report is to document the development and implementation of KFH’s inaugural Research Day (RD), which aimed to disseminate its research activities, recognize staff and student researchers at KFH, define a research agenda for the hospital, and promote a culture of research at KFH and more broadly in Rwanda. Furthermore, based on the output of RD, this report proposes recommendations to further strengthen research capacity and culture at KFH or through similar RD events going forward.

RD was coordinated by an interdisciplinary clinical and non-clinical committee at KFH. Researchers were encouraged to submit and disseminate their research across all disciplines at KFH. The committee also considered ways to award and recognize researchers for their work, and ensure that the program and other logistics promoted equity and inclusion. Additionally, the committee oversaw the call for abstracts, program and participant inclusion, and the selection and awards process.

Call for abstracts

The Directorate of Research disseminated a call for abstracts for researchers to submit their projects for poster and oral presentations. Eligible researchers included those who either work or study at KFH, or who conducted research at KFH. To encourage researchers at all stages of their study to participate, eligible abstracts included already published studies and those still in progress.

Program and participant inclusion

To promote the inclusion of KFH staff and students in the event, the organizing committee considered the best venue for RD. As a result, RD was hosted in the KFH inpatient reception area instead of being hosted offsite, with one area for the poster display and another for the main event program. This allowed KFH staff and students to come view the poster display during their working hours without it conflicting with their regular clinical schedules. This also aimed to increase staff awareness towards the ongoing research activities at the hospital and encourage them to also get involved in research going forward.

The program for the day had several components. It commenced with a poster display, where representatives from each research team were stationed with their respective posters to answer questions and provide more information on their studies. The main program included opening remarks from the KFH Chair of the Board of Directors, a keynote speech on the importance of research dissemination from Head of Health Workforce Development at the Ministry of Health, and an overview of the state of research at KFH. The main program concluded with oral presentations and the award ceremony.

Selection and awards

Before the event, an interdisciplinary selection committee composed of external reviewers blind-reviewed each abstract. Each abstract was evaluated using a weighted rubric, which was developed based on existing literature and the main components of an abstract. Specifically, the rubric considered 7 criteria, including clarity and organization; relevance and significance of the study; originality and innovation; methods and approach; results and findings; conclusions and implications; and grammar and writing. Within these criteria, the rubric also evaluated the overall quality of the study, adherence with ethical and legal requirements, and the validity of the findings against the methods and study design. The blind review was conducted individually by external reviewers to avoid potential biases, and reviewers were assigned to abstracts based on their expertise and the topics of the abstracts. The individual scores were then compiled, with an average taken for each abstract. The abstracts were then ranked from the highest to the lowest scores. The selection committee used these results to recommend oral and poster presenters, which included 40 posters and 7 oral presentations. In general, all abstracts meeting the minimum quality criteria were selected for poster displays. This was done to encourage researchers to disseminate their progress and increase the visibility of their work more inclusively. However, only completed studies were eligible for oral presentations.

During the event, three additional awards committees with external reviewers were established to evaluate the posters and oral presentations for one of three awards: best oral presentation, best poster presentation, and most impactful study. These committees utilized rubrics that were developed based on the main components of the abstract, along with the overall impact and presentation. The committee members reviewed the projects throughout research day, whereby the results were compiled and presented at the end of RD during the awards ceremony.

Over 100 attendees participated in the main program of RD, and additional participants attended in the poster presentation throughout the day. For the main program, attendees included key stakeholders and senior researchers from Rwanda and the region, including those with the ability to positively influence the research environment and mentor junior researchers. Specifically, participants included KFH leadership, professional councils (Rwanda Medical and Dental Council), government institutions (Ministry of Health and Rwanda Biomedical Centre), health sciences schools (University of Rwanda and University of Global Health Equity), and teaching hospitals (University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, University Teaching Hospital of Butare, and Rwanda Military Hospital), among others.

Abstract submissions

Forty-seven abstracts were submitted from the call for abstracts, as outlined in Table  1 . The highest proportion of abstracts were studying cancer (17.02%), and primarily in colorectal and breast cancer. Sexual and reproductive health was the second most represented content area, making up 10.64% of abstract submissions, followed by anesthesia and pain management (8.51%) and data science/IT (8.51%).

Table  1 Outlines the submitted abstracts by content area.

Researcher profile

Eligible researchers included KFH staff and students, as well as external researchers with projects conducted at KFH. This was decided with the aim to ensure that all disseminated research either featured KFH staff and students, or was research conducted at the hospital. Overall, 37 researchers submitted 47 abstracts. Principal Investigators (PIs) were primarily medical doctors (35.14%), allied health professionals (27.03%), and nurses and midwives (16.22%). Amongst medical doctors, anesthesia and critical care professionals represented the highest proportion of PIs (38.4%), and amongst allied health professionals, imaging services represented the highest proportion (40%). Additionally, 30% of PIs were female, with most of them being nurses or midwives (36.36%). Females comprised at least half of PIs in administration, nursing and midwifery, and data science/IT. Table  2 outlines the PIs who submitted abstracts by department and sex.

Selection process and awards

The selection committee selected seven oral presentations. Table  3 outlines the oral presentations that were selected, along with those awarded for the best oral presentation and most impactful project. Additionally, the best poster presentation was awarded to a midwife staff member who presented on strengthening family-centered maternity care at KFH.

Because this was the first event of its kind at KFH, there were a few challenges in organizing and hosting the event. When the organizing committee started planning, there was a general lack of awareness on the event’s importance. Some staff questioned its benefit and why staff should be released from their clinical activities to attend. Additionally, there were few abstract submissions leading up to the submission deadline. To mitigate these issues, the committee intentionally engaged with the hospital leadership, departments, and individuals to strengthen buy in and participation in the event. This included individual meetings with department leadership to explain RD’s importance. Additionally, the RD committee membership was expanded to ensure better representation across departments and disciplines. Finally, the committee extended its submission deadline and approached researchers individually to encourage them to submit abstracts, regardless of their completion status. Because this was the first RD at KFH, engaging staff individually and at the team level helped build buy in across all levels of the institution, and ultimately increased participation in the event.

RD demonstrated the critical need to further strengthen research dissemination activities at KFH. The long-term aim at KFH is to promote knowledge transfer and translation through research. Research dissemination was highlighted as an initial step towards this to generate engagement and participation in the ongoing activities, and hopefully encourage junior or inactive researchers to start engaging. Specifically, RD highlighted the need to define a research agenda; promote equity and inclusion both in research activity and dissemination events; and ensure multi-institutional stakeholder collaboration in dissemination activities.

Defining a research agenda

Common research areas were revealed through the abstract submissions, including in internal medicine (45%), obstetrics and gynecology (14%), and pediatrics (12%). However, it also revealed the need to streamline dissemination efforts through a defined hospital research agenda. This will contribute to knowledge translation in those specialties in the future, as well as more initiatives to strengthen research in those specialties. The research agenda itself may be driven by the research interests generated by the departments and researchers seen in RD. These departmental interests can then be narrowed down to specific specialties. For example, among those conducted in internal medicine, the research mainly focused on cancer, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Integrating department or specialty-driven research priorities requires a deeper investigation into why these research areas were more frequently represented.

Additionally, many of the research projects had simple study designs, which may be attributed to limited capacity to conduct more complex projects, likely due to limited financial capacity, skills, or time. Currently, there is no policy that defines time allocation for research as a clinician. To be able to implement this research agenda and strengthen the research culture, there is a need to mobilize financial and non-financial resources that will enable the institution and researchers to conduct impactful and complex research. Ensuring equity and the distribution of research support and resources across services and departments alongside this defined research agenda is critical.

Promoting equity and inclusion

Healthcare professionals exhibit a wide range of characteristics, including diverse social backgrounds, gender, experiences, and disability statuses [ 5 ]. As a result, healthcare institutions should adopt an inclusive research agenda that fosters cognitive diversity and encourages the sharing of innovative ideas. Such an approach ensures the development of a culturally competent workforce, ultimately reducing research biases [ 6 ]. Additionally, a culturally competent environment enhances individual motivation, leading to improved team performance [ 7 ]. This is because all healthcare providers, irrespective of their roles, contribute unique ideas and problem-solving techniques, often referred to as collective intelligence, which is essential in achieving comprehensive and unbiased research outcomes [ 8 ]. Having a diverse healthcare workforce engaged in research endeavors ensures the minimization of knowledge gaps. The multidisciplinary approach in healthcare has consistently been reflected in the highest quality of care, and it is therefore expected that it will similarly translate into the highest quality of research.

Additionally, gender equity in authorship aims to ensure equal opportunities for individuals of all genders to contribute to academic publications, which is a critical factor in professional success [ 9 , 10 ]. As highlighted at KFH’s RD, individuals of all genders were welcomed and provided equal submission opportunities. This is evident in our RD researcher profile, where female PIs were 50% of administrators and 67% of nurses and midwives. Having 70% of PIs being male overall was likely influenced by the existing gender gap in medical doctors, further emphasizing the need to empower and engage women in medicine and in academic publications. Globally, the progress in women’s empowerment is reflected in the increasing number of women pursuing careers in health and academia [ 11 ]. Statistics show a significant rise in female authors in major journals, from 6% to 10% in the 1970s to 54% and 46% for first and last authorship in 2019 [ 12 ]. This progress serves as motivation for KFH, where there were gaps in female participation, highlighting the need for more intentional efforts to promote equity and inclusion in research activity and dissemination platforms.

Stakeholder collaboration and engagement

RD revealed the importance of stakeholder collaboration to strengthen research dissemination and an overall research culture in health science institutions. As a lesson learned through RD, there is a need to streamline the way research is conducted and engage different stakeholders on this journey. To enhance and impact clinical outcomes, there is a need to strengthen research collaboration between academic institutions and hospitals. Evidence-based clinical decisions will ultimately result in higher quality healthcare by informing the development of policies and strategies. As these collective research endeavors advance, it is crucial to have a comprehensive health research policy alongside this engagement. This policy should not only serve as a guiding framework for health research within its institutions, but also ensure that the research addresses the specific needs of its communities. Students and researchers affiliated with academic institutions can contribute to fulfilling the mission of hospitals when a well-defined research agenda is in place and vice versa, and this policy will serve as the guiding principle for its implementation.

While other institutions were invited to the KFH RD, there is still a need for more intentional efforts towards institutional research collaboration and dissemination efforts. Specific ways that this can be achieved are through joint research dissemination opportunities, as well as the integration of professional societies in Rwanda, to ensure that institutions and health professions are equitably represented in these activities. Furthermore, utilizing technology can also allow for more collaboration and allow dissemination activities to be more accessible to a wider audience outside of the hospital.

Implications for policy and practice

RD also highlighted implications for policy and practice at KFH and teaching hospitals in general. In addition to the need to define an institutional research agenda, the gaps in authorship and topic area representation across all hospital specialties suggests the need to integrate research into staff performance appraisal and promotion systems to institutionally motivate staff to participate. In doing so, the representation of all staff and respective disciplines would become more representative of the hospital itself. Furthermore, although over 100 internal and external attendees participated, and the event was hosted in the hospital for free to promote engagement, the participant number still only reflects a small proportion of the hospital, which has over 800 staff. This suggests that KFH could implement other policies or practices to motivate or require staff to participate in research-related activities. Finally, informal feedback from RD participants suggested that RD is an important step towards knowledge translation, but that additional efforts are needed alongside this event, especially towards building staff research capacity, providing resources to conduct research, and supporting those researchers with in-progress projects towards completion. Going forward, KFH will implement these recommendations towards its practices and evaluate their impact.

RD provides an important platform for teaching hospitals to strengthen their research dissemination and overall research culture. RD is also an opportunity to implement the hospital’s research agenda and drive forward evidence-based practice in identified research areas. In LMICs, where there is already a significant gap in research output and authorship representation, this provides an opportunity for researchers to present and get feedback on their progress, and to motivate them to further engage in research activities. To sustain momentum and address the challenges encountered, teaching hospitals should consider RD as just one component of a broader research dissemination plan, with the wider aim of knowledge translation. By ensuring that RD is not hosted in isolation of other initiatives, this also strengthens the institutional, team-level, and individual buy in needed to strengthen RD engagement. Furthermore, when designing RD, emphasis should be given to promoting equity and inclusion in authorship, including gender, discipline, and professional experience levels. Stakeholder engagement should also be considered to strengthen institutional research collaboration for greater impact, as collaboration with other institutions can strengthen institutional research collaboration, maximizing the impact of research findings and fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge dissemination. Going forward, KFH will continue to strengthen its research culture by leveraging RD as an initial step towards knowledge translation and implementing a defined research agenda geared towards strengthening clinical service delivery and patient outcomes.

Data availability

The data analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

Institutional Review Board

King Faisal Hospital Rwanda

Low- and middle-income country

Principal Investigator

Research Day

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We would like to thank the leadership of King Faisal Hospital Rwanda for their significant support towards strengthening the Directorate of Research and the overall research culture at the hospital.

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Neil, K.L., Nduwayezu, R., Uwurukundo, B.S. et al. Strengthening a culture of research dissemination: A narrative report of research day at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, a tertiary-level teaching hospital in Rwanda. BMC Med Educ 24 , 732 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05736-0

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Why students choose the european project semester program for academic mobility: a case study at an engineering school.

1. Introduction

2. materials and methods, 2.1. the european project semester (eps), 2.2. theoretical framework: push–pull factors of international academic mobility, 2.3. research methodology, 3.1. sample, 3.2. survey study, 3.3. focus group study, 4. discussion and conclusions, 4.1. implications for practice, 4.2. limitations and future research, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, acknowledgments, conflicts of interest.

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Sousa, M.; Fontão, E.; Barata, A. Why Students Choose the European Project Semester Program for Academic Mobility: A Case Study at an Engineering School. Educ. Sci. 2024 , 14 , 735. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070735

Sousa M, Fontão E, Barata A. Why Students Choose the European Project Semester Program for Academic Mobility: A Case Study at an Engineering School. Education Sciences . 2024; 14(7):735. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070735

Sousa, Marina, Eunice Fontão, and Ana Barata. 2024. "Why Students Choose the European Project Semester Program for Academic Mobility: A Case Study at an Engineering School" Education Sciences 14, no. 7: 735. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070735

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Scope Creep: Definition, Examples & How To Prevent It

Updated: Jun 2, 2024, 3:23pm

Table of Contents

What is scope creep, real-world scope creep examples, 5 common causes of scope creep, how do i prevent scope creep, 5 ways to fix scope creep, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Scope creep happens when a project’s completion requirements increase past the planned project requirements. When this happens, the project runs the risk of being completed late, over budget and lacking in quality. In this guide, we look at what scope creep is, some examples of scope creep, how to prevent scope creep from happening and how to fix it if it has already gotten out of hand.

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Every project should begin with agreed-upon project requirements, including a project timeline, budget, boundaries and incremental and final deliverables. When a project’s requirements go beyond those included in the original plans without authorization or control measures, the project enters into scope creep. Scope creep may happen due to added features, funding, resources or personnel needed to complete the project in a satisfactory manner.

Denver International Airport’s (DIA) automated baggage-handling system and Boston’s “Big Dig” construction project both experienced massive scope creep. Both projects finished over a year late and millions or billions of dollars over budget. Below, we take a closer look at each project, what went wrong and what could have been done to prevent damaging scope creep.

Project: DIA Automated Baggage-handling System

Denver International Airport (DIA) undertook the extremely progressive project of creating a fully automated baggage-handling system in the 1990s. After scope creep plagued the project, the system was finished 16 months past its planned completion deadline, $569 million over budget and without the required features to make it functional. Ultimately, the airport had to revert back to a manual labor system and abandon the project altogether.

At DIA, scope creep occurred because project leads ignored key stakeholders who had expertise in the field and warned that the project was overly complex, unlikely to work and was missing key required features. Thus, no detailed project requirement document drove the project from day one, creating the need for over 2,000 design changes to incorporate key features and reduce the system’s complexity.

Project: Boston’s ‘Big Dig’ Highway Construction Project

The Boston Big Dig is the largest highway construction project in the United States. The plans for the project began in 1982 and the project was scheduled to be completed in 1998 for a total estimated cost of $2.56 billion. However, scope creep overtook all of these goals. In the end, the project was completed in December 2007 (nine years late) and the final project cost was $14.8 billion, more than $12 billion over budget.

According to NASA, instead of bringing all stakeholders together for a consensus on scope requirements, designers and contractors were consulted separately. Further, instead of a centralized decision-maker, sub-teams were accountable to different leads, resulting in conflicting plans and scope change requests. In the end, much of the scope creep could have been avoided with a requirements and change management plan everyone agreed to.

Scope creep can occur for an endless number of reasons. However, the most common reasons include ill-defined scope requirements, too many decision-makers, a poor or missing change control process, poor task prioritization and unchecked client requests. Below is a closer look at each of these risks and tips on how to prevent or solve them.

Ill-defined Project Scope Requirements

Stakeholders cannot be expected to adhere to an undefined scope. Create a document that defines the project’s requirements, including its budget, resources, goals, tasks, deliverables and timeline requirements. Use charts, diagrams, checklists and other visuals to create an easily consumable and understandable document. Present the document to all stakeholders, both to those who will implement it and those who must be satisfied with the project’s results.

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen

If all stakeholders who execute a project are decision-makers, your scope approval process is likely to be plagued with conflicting plans and change requests, creating unmanageable scope creep. To prevent this, in your change management plan, clearly define who the project’s final decision-maker or lead is, who can approve scope change requests (and who cannot), who is to be only consulted on change requests and who must only be informed of them.

Lack of Task Prioritization

With some projects, if all ideal tasks and features were incorporated, the project is likely to be unreasonably long or expensive to execute. It is important to balance final deliverable quality with time, resources and budget limitations. This should be done through task prioritization.

To implement task prioritization, in your project’s requirement documentation, consult with all stakeholders to decide which tasks or milestone deliverables are most important and which are nice-to-haves. Then, if scope creep threatens the project, refer to this prioritization list to cut unnecessary tasks or deliverables and, thereby, reign in the project’s scope.

Poor or Missing Change Control Process

A change control plan is an essential document that clearly defines the request, approval and denial process for scope change requests and who can implement them. It also ensures that all scope change requests are complete so they do not continue to grow via additional requests after approval. Without this document and without ensuring all stakeholders and project executors understand this document, change requests are likely to get out of control.

Unchecked Client Requests

Clients are likely to make as many requests as are tolerated to get the most out of their project investment. This is just good business. Without a way to limit or at least make sound decisions around these requests, they run a very high risk of derailing your project and, ultimately, sacrificing a quality, timely and cost-effective final deliverable.

As such, make sure all your project executors know if they are authorized to approve change requests or not, the parameters for doing so and how to deny client requests if necessary without alienating the client. By putting together a change control plan, then thoroughly training project executors and the client around its content and stated process, unchecked client requests are less likely to be a significant problem.

Preventing scope creep requires a careful management process. Not all scope creep is bad but all scope creep must be tightly controlled to ensure it does not have a negative impact on the project’s outcome. To do so, create a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart of your project requirements. Then, carefully write a scope change management plan. Finally, review and gain agreement from all stakeholders surrounding these documents and plans.

Here is a closer look at the steps to prevent scope creep.

1. Outline Project Requirements and Prioritize Project Tasks

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a document that takes a large project and breaks it into manageable chunks or deliverables. Simply put, it documents the scope of the project, its resource allocation and its deliverables. For easier scope management later, deliverables are listed in the order they must be completed, then prioritized based on resource allocation and, finally, assigned work packages with tasks that must be completed to create each deliverable.

Write Your Deliverables

To begin creating your WBS, first list the primary milestones you must accomplish to ultimately complete the project. Then, convert each milestone into a deliverable instead of an action—”blog post published” instead of “publish blog post,” for example. Milestones in a sales campaign may be written as:

• Define the campaign’s audience
• Write and publish a targeted blog post
• Write and publish a targeted lead magnet
• Create an automated and personalized email sequence for lead conversion

Now, convert each action into a deliverable, such as:

• A defined audience
• A targeted published blog post
• A targeted published lead magnet
• An automated and targeted email sequence

Prioritize Your Deliverables

To prioritize each of these deliverables, mark the time or resource percentage each will use. For example, if the most important part of your marketing plan is the email sequence that funnels qualified leads through the sales pipeline, you might spend 50% of your time and resources on this deliverable, 20% on your targeted lead magnet, 12% on creating and publishing a targeted blog post and 8% on defining your audience.

Create Deliverable Work Packages

Finally, write the smaller tasks that go into creating these deliverables in a separate document (called a “work package”). Link the work package to its corresponding deliverable. For the deliverable “a targeted published blog post,” for example, the work package may say to interview key sources, research keywords to target, create an outline, write the blog post, finalize optimizing the post for search engines and, finally, publish the post.

Create a Visual Work Breakdown Structure

A WBS is most easily consumable if put into a visual chart. A simple way of doing so is through a free Canva account and many project management software offer WBS templates. To find a template via Canva, simply sign up for a free account, then search “Work Breakdown Structure” using the search bar titled “What Will You Design?” Click on your template choice and use the left-hand design menu to add your own content.

2. Create a Project Gantt Chart

A Gantt chart is a visual timeline of your project broken down into all the agreed-upon tasks your team must complete to finish the project. This chart is critical for managing scope because it clearly shows what the agreed-upon tasks/deliverables are and, by extension, what they are not. It also shows the deadlines your team must meet to complete the project on time. Going beyond these tasks constitutes scope creep.

The beauty of this chart is that it is visible and constantly referred to by all team members. With all eyes on this chart, changes are immediately visible. Any task deviations from this Gantt chart should be addressed as a scope change. After all, even a slight change in the end date of one task can mean a delay in the deadline or a change in the budget for the entire project.

Refer to your WBS to chart your project’s timeline based on individual tasks’ beginning and end dates, then, ultimately, the project’s beginning and end dates. Be sure to chart not just your deliverables but the tasks in the work packages attached to each deliverable. Color code or otherwise highlight milestones (deliverables), task priorities and dependencies (tasks that rely on the completion of other tasks to begin).

Pro tip: Use project management software to create your Gantt chart. When you do, you can tap into an intuitive interface to easily create your chart, then adjust the settings to clearly alert you to changes made to your chart as scope changes happen.

3. Write a Change Management Plan

A change management plan is a document that depicts the steps a team will take to identify a scope change request and manage it. It includes sections that outline how change requests will be submitted, the tools used to manage the process, a list of the people who are authorized to implement or deny requests, how change requests will be evaluated and then denied or approved, applicable fees and cutoff points for submitting change requests.

Answer the following questions to create your scope change management plan:

The following questions will help you select the people to serve on your change management control board:

• Who is involved in the change management plan?
• Who can submit change requests?
• Who will receive them?
• Who will review them?
• Who will approve or deny them?
• Who is not authorized to receive, evaluate and approve or deny requests?
• Who is to serve as consultants in the evaluation process?
• Who has the final say in indecisive moments?

Answer these questions to develop the tools to manage scope change requests:

• Which form will be used to ensure change requests are consistent and offer all needed information for the evaluation process?
• What (if any) fees will be applied to ensure only necessary change requests are approved?
• What change tracking log will be kept to record changes and their execution?
• What checklist will evaluators use to approve or deny a request?

Timeframe Parameters

Answer these questions to put parameters on your evaluation process and keep scope change requests processing efficiently:

• In what time frame must requests be evaluated, then approved or denied?
• At what point in the project is it too late to request scope changes?

Scope Change Communication and Collaboration

Explain the communication and collaboration process should scope change requests be approved or denied. To do so, answer these questions:

• How will approvals or rejections be communicated?
• How will team members collaborate to implement approved scope changes?
• How will the communication and collaboration process be made visible team-wide?

4. Get Scope Approval From Stakeholders

Present your WBS and Gantt chart to all stakeholders, project sponsors and/or clients to ensure you accurately captured the project requirements and timelines. Decision-maker stakeholders should come together to carefully review these documents and suggest changes as appropriate. Then, once a consensus is reached that the requirements and timeline are complete and satisfactory, all should sign and date the document.

5. Review Change Management Plan With Stakeholders

With a signed and dated WPS and Gantt chart, drive home the importance of sticking to the plan while leaving room for the flexibility any project needs to succeed. It is unrealistic to assume that no changes will be made to this finalized project plan. So, in the same stakeholder-wide meeting, present your scope change management plan.

Highlight the consequences for requesting changes and the process for evaluating change requests, then approving or denying them. Communicate that fees are applied so only necessary change requests are submitted, thereby improving efficiency and ensuring an on-time, on-budget and high-quality project completion. Walk stakeholders through how to use the change request form and how the evaluation checklist and change log will be applied.

6. Train Project Executors on Scope Change Process

Creating a change management plan is only helpful if those who must implement it know how to do so. In a separate, internal-team meeting, review your plan with team members while highlighting who is authorized to approve scope changes. Explain the risks posed by scope changes, including the negative impact to project success. Show them how to remind requesting parties of scope change risks, the approval process and your scope change fees.

When it comes to scope creep, prevention is key. However, if you are experiencing excessive scope creep, there are ways to get back on track. These include leaning on your change management plan or adjusting your project requirements plan (if you have them). You can also request funding for changes to reduce unnecessary change requests, guard against people-pleasing with proper training, regroup and/or sign up for project management software.

Here’s a closer look at ways to fix scope creep:

1. Lean on Your Change Management Plan

Your change management plan can help you prioritize what requirements are important and which should be nixed if scope creep is getting out of hand. It can also give you tools—such as a final decision-maker, fees, checklists and a change management control board—to lean on when indecision threatens to make scope creep worse.

2. Request Funding for Scope Changes

One tool we recommended adding to your change management plan is change request fees. Clients are less likely to ask for exorbitant changes if they know a fee will come with approval. In addition to the fee, however, be sure to ask for more funding and resources to accommodate the change, thereby preventing scope creep from derailing the budget or resource availability for other project requirements.

3. Guard Against People-Pleasing

It may seem as if your team is “going above and beyond” and, therefore, offering competitive services when adding bonus features to a project. But, in reality, they are risking late and over-budget project completion. Train team members to identify scope creep and respond to it properly. They should always process scope change requests, whether from the client or internal team members, through your change management control board.

4. Sign Up for a Project Management Software

Consider signing up for project management software . Such software offers tools to process change requests via authorized team members, such as change request forms and automated task assignments. It also offers tools for monitoring scope creep, such as Gantt charts that update in real time so you know if your project remains on track after change approvals. Alerts also help you decide when to regroup to get back on track before irreparable damage is done.

If your project is over budget, is unlikely to finish on time or is experiencing quality hits from scope creep, consider regrouping. Bring all stakeholders together to review your original project requirement plan, come to a consensus and get on a more reasonable track to completion.

In your meeting (or series of meetings, if necessary), adjust your requirements plan. Eliminate project features that are not priorities to make room for new features. Ask for further funding if additional required changes will push the project over budget. Adjust your project timeline to reflect a reasonable completion date on which everyone can agree. Then, record the updates in your project management software and continue on with a consensus of expectations.

If controlled properly, scope creep doesn’t have to derail your project and can even lead to a better project outcome. But, it must be managed. To manage scope creep properly, implement a clear project requirement plan, Gantt chart and change management plan. Lean heavily on these plans to keep scope creep in check. But, if scope creep becomes unmanageable, don’t be afraid to regroup, retrain and even request more funding to get your project back on track.

What is scope creep?

Scope creep is when a project’s requirements increase after the project has begun, requiring more work or resources to produce a satisfactory final deliverable.

What is an example of scope creep?

An example of scope creep is when a client’s needs change. A freelance writer, for example, may deliver a white paper they’ve written per the client’s requirements only to receive a request that additional unplanned sections be added to the deliverable. In another example, customers may ask for large changes to a product’s features after the product design has already been decided. In the end, such projects require more time and resources to complete.

How does scope creep differ from gold plating?

Often, scope creep occurs as a result of extra features being included in a project at the request of the client, causing delays and added expenses, among other issues. Gold plating occurs when extra features are added to a project internally and not at the request of the client. Gold plating occurs sometimes to appease management or to make the project more appealing to the client. It can also sometimes be used to draw attention away from other issues related to the project.

How can you avoid scope creep?

You can avoid scope creep by clearly defining a project’s requirements before project initiation, ensuring all stakeholders agree on these requirements, clearly communicating the scope creep risks, creating a clear scope creep management plan and training stakeholders to execute this control plan. Other ways companies avoid scope creep are by saying “no” to change requests or adding additional fees to the project’s price for scope increases.

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SME definition

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 99% of all businesses in the EU. The definition of an SME is important for access to finance and EU support programmes targeted specifically at these enterprises.

What is an SME?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are defined in the EU recommendation 2003/361 .

The main factors determining whether an enterprise is an SME are

• staff headcount
• either turnover or balance sheet total

These ceilings apply to the figures for individual firms only. A firm that is part of a larger group may need to include staff headcount/turnover/balance sheet data from that group too.

Further details include

• The revised user guide to the SME definition (2020) (2 MB, available in all EU languages)
• Declaring your enterprise to be an SME (the form is available in all languages as an annex in the revised user guide)
• The SME self-assessment tool which you can use to determine whether your organisation qualifies as a small and medium-sized enterprise

What help can SMEs get?

There are 2 broad types of potential benefit for an enterprise if it meets the criteria

• eligibility for support under many EU business-support programmes targeted specifically at SMEs: research funding, competitiveness and innovation funding and similar national support programmes that could otherwise be banned as unfair government support ('state aid' – see block exemption regulation )
• fewer requirements or reduced fees for EU administrative compliance

Monitoring of the implementation of the SME definition

The Commission monitors the implementation of the SME definition and reviews it in irregular intervals. Pursuant to the latest evaluation, the Commission concluded that there is no need for a revision.

On 25 October 2021, we informed stakeholders by holding a webinar with presentations on the SME evaluation's results and next steps.

Supporting documents

• Study to map, measure and portray the EU mid-cap landscape (2022)
• Staff working document on the evaluation of the SME definition  (2021)
• Executive summary on the evaluation of the SME definition  (2021)
• Q&A on the evaluation of the SME definition  (2021)
• Final report on evaluation of the SME definition  (2018) (10 MB)
• Final report on evaluation of the SME definition (2012)  (1.8 MB)
• Executive summary on evaluation of the SME definition (2012)  (345 kB)
• Implementing the SME definition (2009)  (50 kB)
• Implementing the SME definition (2006)  (40 kB)

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• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

hUMNs of Chemistry #17

They/them Professor

Tell us about your journey to the University of Minnesota.

My first visit to the University of Minnesota was during my graduate school years at UW-Madison.  I came to make measurements at the Institute for Rock Magnetism and also ended up meeting the love of my life during that visit.  Fast forward, the love of my life and I live right here in Minneapolis.  

We would love to hear more about your research! What do you hope to accomplish with this work? What is the real-world impact for the average person?

I'm very excited to work on projects related to the environment, green chemistry, and sustainability. We have projects focused on the behavior of iron-bearing minerals in environmental systems, microplastics, biochar, materials for sustainable energy applications, and a brand new project with the Boiteau group focusing on the ocean!  

What courses do you teach? What can students expect to get out of your course?

I have had the great fortune of teaching general chemistry courses, which is great fun (most of the time).  General chemistry is a tough class, and I strive to make the classroom a supportive and welcoming one.  I also take every opportunity to include demonstrations during lecture, including popular Energy and U demonstrations like the screaming gummy bear, methane mamba, and the flaming tube of death.

What do you hope to contribute to the chemistry community at the University?

I hope to do innovative research in the areas of environmental chemistry and sustainability; continue and foster interdisciplinary collaborations; serve as an effective mentor and educator; engage with the broader community through research, outreach, and other activities; and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at the U of MN and beyond.

When you visit other universities, what do you love to share about our UMN community?

Ongoing commitments to collaborative and interdisciplinary research and to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What do you do outside of the classroom/lab/office for fun?

I'm sure that most folks know I ride bikes -- a lot. I do some other things, honestly, I do...  I mean, sometimes.

What’s your favorite piece of chemistry/science pop culture media? Why do you love it?

I'm about to teach Chem 1015 (Introductory Chemistry) for the first time, and I think I might have to play this.

What was your very first job?

Mowing lawns

Tell us about who makes up your household (including pets).

Cheryl (human), Dandelion (dog), Bella (cat), and Dubby (cat).

Eric Schulz

Information Technology Professional

Please give a brief description of your role within the UMN Chemistry department.

If it plugs into a wall outlet or sits next to a computer or runs on a laptop and it "used to work before," I'll be asked to have a look at fixing it.

I grew up in Wisconsin and came to the U of MN for a degree in engineering.  As it turns out, I wasn't a very good engineer, but I was able to pick up a number of burgeoning computer skills.  I've got my start in DOS, Novell Netware, hand typing HTML and fixing Apple II's; while steadily learning the workings of past computers to today's iPads, laptops, computers and operating systems. The E-Shop's previous employees have passed on a few skills to me on instrument repair, but I wished I'd paid better attention while they were here!

Do you have a background in or like chemistry? Tell us about it!

I don't have anything other then a year of college Chemistry under my belt.

What professional successes are most important to you?

I was very proud of the web server and services that I ran for a number of years.  I have always felt that supporting the Department of Chemistry and its people with the best of my abilities is a very important part of who I am.

I've a few years left, and I hope to continue to learn about new technological advances.

Burger King cashier!

My family bought our first house a few years ago and I do enjoy fixing it up, both inside and outside.  I enjoy swimming, camping with the Boy Scouts and playing cards with friends.

What non-chemistry interest or activity of yours might surprise department members?

I recently got my certification in scuba diving and went on a diving trip to Florida.  Its probably not too surprising, but I like to learn how to repair cars and appliances.  

My wife, my daughter, my son, my father in-law and three cats!

Casey Wouters

She/her Graduate student

I grew up in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas and pursued my undergraduate studies at the University of Oklahoma. In college, I studied chemistry and worked as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Charles Rice's lab at OU. I came to UMN directly after finishing my BS in chemistry, with my first time visiting the Twin Cities being the day I arrived with all my stuff to move here (thanks, COVID). 

Are you involved in any student groups? What inspired you to get involved?

I'm currently serving as secretary of Queer Science, a group which does outreach to queer high schoolers in the Twin Cities metro. I love working with this group and think it's so important for young people to be able to see themselves represented in STEM. Additionally, I spend a lot of time working on the Graduate Labor Union and it's related causes. I am on the bargaining committee working with the university on writing our first contract! I became an organizer because I believe in the value of our work as grad students and have found my work with GLU to be incredibly fulfilling. 

Tell us about an important mentor in your academic life?

My undergraduate research adviser Dr. Charles Rice served a pivotal role in my experience at OU and in my grad school application and decision process. Working in his lab gave me amazing hands-on experience and confidence in my research abilities. I even got to conduct my own project for my honors thesis, which was published last year. Having a supportive PI and a lab group that formed its own little family was so important to my time at OU. 

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I hope to stay in the Twin Cities and get a job in the local science industry. I also have a keen interest in science policy and hope to incorporate some element of this into my future career as well. 

I love to craft and read! Name a craft and I have probably tried it, but my favorite is knitting. I like to constantly have a bunch of works in progress at the same time and to also have a book to suit every mood.   

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