Edinboro University Honors ProgramEdinboro University of Pennsylvania

Honors Independent Study

Research Project/ Thesis Guidelines

All Edinboro University Honors Program scholars are encouraged to complete a senior research project through independent study. In addition, honors students are encouraged to consider seriously the option of completing a one-year Senior Honors Thesis which leads to the presentation and/or publication of original directed research.

Students applying to complete a one-semesterHonors Independent Studymust develop their project with a cooperating Edinboro University professor and then submit the required University and Honors Program forms, including a typewritten proposal describing the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes of the independent study. Honors Independent Study leading to a Senior Honors Thesis can be renewed for a second semester, but requires full reapplication to the Honors Program, providing once again all the required materials.

Students wishing to earn independent study credits register for them along with their regular class schedule. They should therefore begin planning their Honors Independent Study Research Project or Senior Thesis early in the semester prior to commencing the work, thereby allowing time to develop the proposal and secure all approvals. All material must be submitted to the Honors Office for approval prior to scheduling, and the Honors Director reserves the right to reject or to request revisions for any under-developed or substandard proposal.

The initial written proposal must include the following:

  • Two copies of the Edinboro University Authorization to Enroll For Independent Study
  • Title Page
  • A copy of the current syllabus for the coordinating course (if applicable)
  • A narrative description of the proposed project that follows the guidelines set forth by the discipline of which the course is a part, as well as Honors Program requirements

The narrative of the proposed independent study must include the following:

  • A thorough description of the assessments to be used in the study/project (specific assignments, book reviews, papers, exams, etc.);
  • A description of grading criteria for the independent study;
  • An explanation of the how these assignments will be of value and support to the work of theindependent study;
  • A working bibliography which identifies the citation format, books, articles, and other academic sources to be used throughout the study/project;
  • A tentative schedule for assignments and meetings with the professor, includingtentative dates of each meeting;
  • A detailed description of the proposed “final scholarly project” that will be the culmination of the independent study;
  • A concluding statement describing the value of this particular study/project.

Suggested Proposal Format for the narrative:

In narrative form, consulting the list of narrative requirements on page one of this guide and using the headers below, provide the following information in your proposal.

Outline:Provide a detailed outline of the work to be presented in your study/project.

Rationale:Detail the reasons for your study/project in this section of your proposal.

Goals:Detail what you aim to accomplish in this study.

Methodology:Detail the methods used to test hypotheses or support theses. What are the systematic methods used to collect data for the study/project? In the event that your discipline does not lend itself to such a description, provide one that is appropriate for your discipline. For instance, for an Art major with anemphasis in painting, present an accurate description medium, in general, and thespecific techniques and influences used.

Sources:Construct an appropriate set of sources used to gather information pertinent to your study/project.

Final Form:Detail and discuss the expected end product/result of your study/project.

Calendar:Provide a detailed syllabus and schedule of weekly activities of your study. This includes meetings with your supervising professor as well as tasks completed on your own in the duration of the process. Also note how, and when, the various stages of your progress will be evaluated.

Presentation:Detail the ways in which you will present your results.

Other:This section is reserved for any information that does not fit into any of the other sections.

Conclusion:Provide a concluding statement describing the value of this particular study/project.

Format: 3 - 4 typed pages; 1 inch margins; 1 ½ line spacing; 12 point standard font. Upper right hand corner headers including last name, first name and sequentialpagination.

The Scholarly Project and Final Grading

At the end of each independent study, an honors-level scholarly project is due, along with any required forms. In addition, students must turn in narrative reflection paper providing a broader reflection on the experience. The paper shall chronicle the project of the independent study, explaining it clearly in a way that would be understandable to the general reader. Narrative reflection papers will be a minimum of 8 pages.

The student will earn the grade the professor assigns. In addition, assuming the student’s work is deemed “honors level” after review by the Honors Program Director, it will be coded on the student’s transcript with an “H”, signifying it is an honors course. Should the work not be deemed “honors level,” the student will still earn course credit as assigned by the professor, but the course will not count in any way for honors credit.

Important Notes:

All of the requirements listed above must be completed in collaboration with the professor who will supervise the work of theIndependent Study.

All forms must be complete and in order to be processed. It is the responsibility of the student to secure the necessary signatures prior to submission of the proposal and required forms.

All students are required to present the work of their completed independent study and the narrative describing it to the Honors Office at the end of the semester for which they request honors credit.

Each part of this process must be completed and all data must be turned in, with all requisite signatures, to the Honors Program Office by the office deadlines. In the event that forms are not turned in, or the work is not completed during the semester in which the project is completed, the work will not be designated for honors credit and will not count toward an honors diploma.

Proposals that do not meet the standard of the Honors Program, or do not constitute honors-level work, will not be approved by the director of the Honors Program. Should students have questions regarding the level of academic rigor inherent to the proposed independent study work, they should consult the director of the Honors Program. When the rigor of the work is in doubt, the director will consult with the supervising professor and make recommendations for acceptable changes to the work of the independent study.

NOTE: All proposals must be submitted by the due dates at the Honors Office, and must be turned in (in printed form) to the secretary, work study student, or director, in the office. Electronic versions will not be accepted. Paperwork received after 4:00 pm on its due date will be considered late and, therefore, will not be accepted.

Independent Study Checklist

Educa

YES / NO / Completed and Submitted Edinboro University Authorization to Enroll for Independent Study Form
Date: / Received by:
YES / NO / Completed Title Page
Date: / Received by:
YES / NO / Completed Narrative Proposal
Date: / Received by:
YES / NO / Printed copy of the Independent Study Syllabus
Date: / Received by:
YES / NO / Completed Midterm Progress Form
Date: / Received by:
YES / NO / Completed Independent Study Completion Form
Date: / Received by:
YES / NO / Completed Culminating Paper & Project
Date: / Received by:

(Double click the appropriate box.)

Research Project/ Thesis Midterm Progress Form

Full Name: / ID#:
Las
/ First / M.I.
Primary Email Address: / Primary Phone:() -
Full Title of Course: / Semester: / Year:
Abbreviation: / Course #: / CRN #:
Supervising Professor: / Department:
(Full Name)
Junior Level Independent Study / Senior Level Independent Study
(Double click the appropriate box above.)
Use the space below to provide a typed narrative of the work on your project to date. Include a detailed synopsis outlining the progress of your project as of this date.

Signatures

Student’s Printed Name: / Date: //
Signature

Supervising Professor

Professor’s Printed Name: / Date:
Signature

Honors Program Director

Director’s Printed Name: Dr. Roger Solberg / Date:
Signature

Research Project/ Thesis Completion Form

Full Name: / ID#:
Last / First / M.I.
Primary Email Address: / Primary Phone:() -
Full Title of Course: / Semester: / Year:
Abbreviation: / Course #: / CRN #:
Supervising Professor: / Department:
(Full Name)
I have completed my Independent Study. / I have not completed my Independent Study.
(Double click the appropriate box above.)
Use the space below to provide a typed narrative of the work on your project to date. Include a detailed synopsis outlining the progress of your project as of this date.

Signatures

Student’s Printed Name: / Date: //
Signature

Supervising Professor

Professor’s Printed Name: / Date:
Signature

Honors Program Director

Director’s Printed Name: Dr. Roger Solberg / Date:
Signature

Place your name here

Place your ID number here

Place the title of your proposal/paper here

In partial fulfillment of the Research Project/ Thesis course

Entitled

“Full title of the course here”

IST 000, Section 000

As requirement for honors credit

in the

Edinboro University Honors Program

Supervised by

Full name of supervising professor here

Semester & Year

Place the full date here

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

______

Student Signature -- I pledge that this paper chronicles my original work of research & that I have not plagiarized or submitted it for grading to in another course.

Updated March 1, 2012 by JGJ