Student Research Projects Research Articles

Investigative Research Projects for Students in Science: The State of the Field and a Research Agenda

One of the ways in which students can be taught science is by doing science, the intention being to help students understand the nature, processes, and methods of science. Investigative research projects may be used in an attempt to reflect some aspects of science more authentically than other teaching and learning approaches, such as confirmatory practical activities and teacher demonstrations. In this article, we are interested in the affordances of investigative research projects where students, either individually or collaboratively, undertake original research. We provide a critical rather than a systematic review of the field. We begin by examining the literature on the aims of science education, and how science is taught in schools, before specifically turning to investigative research projects. We examine how such projects are typically undertaken before reviewing their aims and, in more detail, the consequences for students of undertaking such projects. We conclude that we need social science research studies that make explicit the possible benefits of investigative research projects in science. Such studies should have adequate control groups that look at the long-term consequences of such projects not only by collecting delayed data from participants, but by following them longitudinally to see whether such projects make any difference to participants’ subsequent education and career destinations. We also conclude that there is too often a tendency for investigative research projects for students in science to ignore the reasons why scientists work in particular areas and to assume that once a written report of the research has been authored, the work is done. We therefore, while being positive about the potential for investigative research projects, make specific recommendations as to how greater authenticity might result from students undertaking such projects.

The Vignette Method: A Flexible Method for Capstone Courses and as a Supplemental Learning Experience in Research Labs

Many departments in colleges and universities require a capstone course that involves the students conducting a research project. This author has had over 20 years of experience teaching such a capstone course and describes a flexible research method for student research projects – the vignette study (an experiment embedded in a survey). She also has teams of undergraduate students working in her lab for research credit make progress on a vignette design as one of several research activities. The vignette study can be used for students across many majors, including but not limited to sociology, psychology, criminal justice, nursing, social work, and marketing. Detail is provided on how to teach a capstone course using this flexible research method.

The association between fingerprint patterns and blood groups in the Omani population

PurposeFingerprints and blood samples are important for the identification of individuals and criminals. The present study aims to identify the predominant fingerprint patterns and the association between the fingerprint patterns and ABO–Rh blood groups in Omani population.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 Omani individuals aged 18 years (104 males and 96 females). The imprints of all right and left-hand fingers were taken, and the types of the fingerprints were determined using a standard protocol. The blood group of all the subjects was recorded. Chi-square test was performed to identify the association between the fingerprint patterns and the ABO and Rh blood groups.FindingsThe loop fingerprint pattern was the most common in Omani subjects (49.4%), followed by whorl (44.9%) and arch (5.7%) pattern. A significant association (p < 0.001) was found between gender and fingerprint pattern. The loop was the highest occurring pattern in the females (54.6%), while the whorl was more in males (50.0%). The whorl pattern was the most common in the AB+ and O− groups. The loop was a predominant pattern in the A+, A−, B+, B− and O+ groups. The Chi-square test also revealed a significant correlation between different fingerprint patterns and blood groups of the subjects (p < 0.001).Originality/valueThe present study is an outcome of undergraduate student's research project thesis for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. The results of the present study may help in creating a data bank for biometrics, which can be useful for diagnosing associated diseases and also help in identification of individuals.

Self-realization of students in scientific research as a professional need

Self-realization of students in scientific research as a professional need

Research on Teaching Methods of Postgraduate Courses Based on PBL

As a teaching model based on learning transfer theory and constructivist education ideology, the problem driven teaching model is an effective method to combine knowledge inheritance and knowledge reconstruction to cultivate innovative talents. Under the traditional teaching model, schools often only focus on achievements and achievements in the cultivation of graduate students, while ignoring the cultivation of their own innovative and practical abilities in the scientific research process. After realizing the drawbacks of this traditional teaching model, this article applies the problem-driven teaching model to the course “Signal Detection and Estimation Theory”, and hopes to strengthen the problem awareness and practical ability of graduate students in scientific research and learning throughout the entire process of cultivating graduate students, so as to cultivate their ability to discover, analyze, and solve problems, This is the key to cultivating students’ innovative research and professional practical abilities. Under this teaching method, object-oriented autonomous learning has been achieved, further stimulating the innovative consciousness and spirit of graduate students.

ORGANIZATION OF SCIENTIFIC AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR OF THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF SPECIALISTS

B a c k g r ou nd . The article deals with modern requirements for the training and retraining of scientific and pedagogical and scientific personnel, as well as for higher professional education which lacks qualitatively new theoretical and methodical support for scientific and research activities. Higher education institutions of Ukraine occupy a leading place in the system of multi-level training and retraining of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel. Many of them have created such scientific centers as specialized academic councils for the defense of doctoral dissertations and councils for the defense of doctors of philosophy (PhD), master's, postgraduate, doctoral studies, a system of additional professional education, retraining and advanced training of personnel. Being aware of methodology, theory, technology, methods and organization of scientific research activity is a necessary basis for graduate students, doctoral students, holders of scientific degrees, employees of scientific divisions of institutions of various profiles, organizers of scientific research activities of all levels. The requirements for the professional training of graduates of higher education institutions provide for the active involvement of teachers and students in scientific research. Purpose and objectives. To conduct a theoretical analysis of the state of Ukrainian and foreign scientific research work of students with the aim of expanding scientific knowledge about the organization and development of pedagogical research technologies; on the development of student scientific creativity in all its forms for the future teacher to master the methodology of scientific research, the conscious introduction into pedagogical practice of the latest achievements of science, technology and culture. Re su lt s . In this context, the search for new technologies, reproduction and expansion of the scientific potential of future teachers, effective application, formation and development of scientific schools, creation of the most favorable conditions for the creative growth of future specialists acquire special importance. C onc lu si on s . Successful mastery of research and creative work skills by bachelors and masters helps them relatively easily join professional activities, transform scientific knowledge into the field of practical application. In this regard, the curricula of most institutions of higher education in Ukraine include special educational disciplines on the basics of scientific and research activity and elements of scientific creativity are introduced into fundamental, professionally oriented as well as special disciplines. This contributes to the creation of the necessary conditions for the integration of a higher school of Ukraine into the world educational and scientific space by activating the processes of involving talented young people in scientific research, implementing the experience of the world's leading universities as a prerequisite for the formation and development of a teacher's personality.

Body Epistemes

This research concerns the relationships among space, story, and body in nonfictional Virtual Reality (VR) projects with the user as a first-person protagonist. What was once called immersive journalism (i.e., attempting to offer users physical experiences of factual journalism) has become increasingly film-oriented over the last five years with the further development of head-mounted displays for the consumer market. As such, projects often tell stories that relate to reality and allow protagonists to enter realistic narratives. Mel Slater has investigated VR projects since 2005, analyzing factors such as place illusion (PI) and plausibility illusion (Psi). In later writings, Slater expanded his research to include the body-oriented sense of embodiment (SoE) (Slater 2009; Slater et al. 2010; De La Pena et al. 2010; Kilteni et al. 2012). Since nonfictional VR mostly tells a story in the direction of the users, incorporating them into the story design, the effects of narration also should be considered. Domenic Arsénault (2005) noted three levels of narrative immersion in VR when dealing with narrative projects. Considering this, it is possible to develop a four-level matrix including place, plausibility, body perception, and narration. Starting in 2020, a Graduate student research project at the University of Leipzig was set up using this matrix to analyse four current examples for a small, non-representative study of twenty-four participants. Our findings demonstrate that space and story in first-person VR experiences are very important, while the installation of plausibility and coherence is less significant. The connecting factor of these two levels is one's own body. Users read, experience, and understand projects with their senses, perceptions, and cognition, making a discussion of an episteme of the body possible. Thus, stories from real life are not conveyed indirectly but experienced directly and personally.

Multiverse analyses in the classroom

Most empirical papers in psychology involve statistical analyses performed on a new or existing dataset. Sometimes the robustness of a finding is demonstrated via data-analytical triangulation (e.g., obtaining comparable outcomes across different operationalizations of the dependent variable), but systematically considering the plethora of alternative analysis pathways is rather uncommon. However, researchers increasingly recognize the importance of establishing the robustness of a finding. The latter can be accomplished through a so-called multiverse analysis, which involves methodically examining the arbitrary choices pertaining to data processing and/or model building. In the present paper, we describe how the multiverse approach can be implemented in student research projects within psychology programs, drawing on our personal experience as instructors. Embedding a multiverse project in students’ curricula addresses an important scientific need, as studies examining the robustness or fragility of phenomena are largely lacking in psychology. Additionally, it offers students an ideal opportunity to put various statistical methods into practice, thereby also raising awareness about the abundance and consequences of arbitrary decisions in data-analytic processing. An attractive practical feature is that one can reuse existing datasets, which proves especially useful when resources are limited, or when circumstances such as the COVID-19 lockdown measures restrict data collection possibilities.

Informational and synergetic component of human-geographical research in the scientific heritage of Kostiantyn Niemets

The purpose of the work is to highlight the information-synergistic component of human-geographical research through the analysis of the scientific heritage of Kostiantyn Niemets – Honored Professor of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. The achievement of the set purpose was accomplished through revealing the figure of the scientist Kostiantyn Niemets, justification of the human-geographical approach based on the information-synergistic paradigm, highlighting the formation of the concept of sociogeosystem and the sociogeoprocess, the peculiarities of the implementation of ideas in the educational process, the training of specialists and scientists, highlighting the potential of human geography and the information-synergistic component of human- geographical research in accordance with today's challenges. Results. This article presents an analysis of the information-synergistic component of human- geographical research in the scientific heritage Kostiantyn Niemets – Honored Professor of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. The role of the synergistic paradigm is defined as the basis of modern science and scientific research. The implementation of the synergistic concept in sociogeosystems research, the definition of the role of the information resource and the features of information exchange are substantiated. The main contradictions between society and nature are revealed; the structure of the sociogeoprocess is considered; the main principles of the interaction of society and natural systems in the multi-system of nature management are revealed. The ideas of the formation of the concept of sociogeosystems and sociogeoprocess are highlighted and the features of the implementation of ideas in the educational process of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. are revealed. An analysis of the scientific heritage, which is realized in the scientific research of students and followers of Kostiantyn Niemets, is presented. The latest research and publications were analyzed, in particular, theoretical and methodological developments, the research toolkit, which was introduced during the implementation of dissertations for obtaining the scientific degree of doctor and candidate of geographical sciences under the leadership of Kostiantyn Nemets, as well as during the implementation of scientific research developments, projects and grants, powerful scientific publications authored by Kostiantyn Niemets. The article shows his huge contribution to the development of scientific research and support of young people. The results of the analysis of the dissertation works, which were created under the leadership of Kostiantyn Niemets, and the features of the introduction of the human-geographical approach and the use of powerful mathematical apparatus and modeling methods in these works are presented. Today, the synergistic paradigm is becoming one of the most important foundations of modern science and is being widely implemented in all fields of scientific research. The synergetic paradigm arose at the junction of many fundamental directions of science in the second half of the 20th century, its main methodological premise is a fundamentally different and unconventional understanding of the development of phenomena, processes, and systems in the surrounding reality. In contrast to the classical interpretation of development as a linear process, synergetics interprets the concept of development as a non-linear process that occurs as a result of the interaction of a large number of factors of different nature. In this regard, human geography occupies a leading place, because the main object of its research – the sociogeosystem – combines natural and social subsystems; therefore, human- geographical research includes all aspects of a synergistic approach.

Experimental and Computational Investigation of Sounding Solid Rocket Motor

Experimental sounding rockets are important contributors to aerospace engineering research. However, experimental-sounding rockets are rarely used for student research projects by institutes in India. The unavailability of rocket motors, which require complex machining and explosive propellants, is a major barrier to the use of sounding rockets in student research projects. We ran into this problem while developing a sounding rocket motor for project and learning purposes. The project focuses on designing and constructing a solid rocket motor that researchers can use as the primary propulsion unit in experimental sounding rockets. Initially, basic designs were evaluated, as various concepts of observations of propellant configuration. The accessibility and ease of use of manufacturing and casting of propellants played a significant role in determining the best propellant based on these findings, the theoretical values for combustion chamber parameters were obtained. Also, materials were chosen accordingly, and a fundamental small-scale experimental design was built and extensively tested. This small-scale motor was created by combining all of the analysis and theoretical data.At experimental testing, we got to know the thrust generated is 763.47N and the motor runs for 4.1 sec, the total mass of the propellant is maxed at 1500g which gives us the max mass flow rate of 0.65Kg/sec this is the output for our solid rocket motor.

VIETNAMESE STUDENT RESEARCHERS’ EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR SUPERVISOR AND SUPERVISION PROCESS

In Vietnam, scientific research is no longer just the work of scientists, graduate students, scholars, or lecturers; tertiary students are also encouraged to conduct scientific research. Therefore, the scientific research work of students receives more attention from educators. The research on carrying out scientific research of students is also therefore increasing. However, researchers do not seem to have paid enough attention to the role of supervisors during the supervision process. The evidence is that there are few studies on supervisors in Vietnam. Therefore, this study was conducted to learn about the role of supervisors from the student's perspective and expectations. Specifically, this study was conducted quantitatively with the use of a questionnaire consisting of 49 questions with a 5-point Likert scale. A total of 100 English-major students at a university in Southwest Vietnam participated in this study by answering the questionnaire. The results from the questionnaire show that students had high expectations from their supervisors. Specifically, students expect their supervisor to be someone who respects their opinions, has good scientific research knowledge, can give constructive comments, and is always willing to help them when needed. Based on research findings, supervisors are encouraged to participate in professional development training related to scientific research to improve their research knowledge and skills. Along with that, supervisors need to be aware of their role during the process of guiding students to do scientific research.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0425/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Социальная работа: траектория обучения и трудоустройства

The article explores the trajectory of education and employment of graduates in the direction of training specialists, bachelors and masters of social work. One of the main prerequisites for their preparation is the aging of the population and the decline in the number of people of working age. The dynamics of education in undergraduate and graduate programs over the past seven years, both in Russia and in the Mari El Republic is given. Based on a comparison of the educational trajectories of social work specialists, positive and negative factors are identified. The positive factors include the growth of the practical orientation of education, the mobility of graduates, the development of social partnership, the improvement of the composition of teachers and the improvement of technologies for the quality of education. Against this background, problems such as a weak scientific base in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation for the employment of postgraduates, low wages for social workers, a high level of aspirations of graduates, etc. have been identified. In order to improve the quality of education, the following measures have been proposed: state partnership, wider involvement of students in scientific research and grant activities, partnership in the field of joint laboratories and small enterprises for social assistance to lonely and elderly citizens on the basis of a social contract.

LUSTRE: An Online Data Management and Student Project Resource

We advocate for greater emphasis in training students about data management, within the context of supporting experience in reproducible workflows. We introduce the Lancaster University STatistics REsources (LUSTRE) package, used to manage student research project data in psychology and build capacity with respect to data acumen. LUSTRE provides a safe space to engage students with open research practices—by making tangible different phases of the reproducible research pipeline, while emphasizing its value as a transferable skill. It is an open-source online data catalogue that captures key data management information about a student research project of potential relevance to data scientists. Embedded within a taught programme, it also highlights concepts and examples of data management processes. We document a portfolio of open teaching resources for LUSTRE, and consider how others can implement or adapt them to facilitate data management and open research. We discuss the role of LUSTRE as a; (a) resource and set of activities for promoting good data management practices; (b) framework to enable the delivery of key concepts in open research; (c) an online system to organize and showcase project work.

Factors that influence genetic counselors' participation in research.

Genetic counselors have skills and expertise in genetics and patient care that make them an asset to research and research teams. However, the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) found in 2020 that more than half of practicing genetic counselors do not participate in research activities. Information describing factors that influence their research participation is lacking in the literature. This study ascertained genetic counselors' workplace and graduate training experiences to provide insight into factors that increase or decrease participation in research activities. A survey was distributed through the NSGC Student Research Survey Program. Practicing genetic counselors that graduated in or before 2020 were eligible to participate. The survey included questions about demographics, implementation of student research projects, research-specific resources in their graduate programs, perceived barriers and motivations, and current research activities. Interestingly, the majority of respondents participated in research activities between 2017 and 2021; the most common activities included: recognizing a gap(s) in knowledge (68%) and presenting an abstract or poster (64%). Factors that most significantly influenced genetic counselors' research participation included their interest in research (p=0.0037), their motivation to do research (p=0.0014), and their perceived intimidation by the research process (p < 0.001). These results provide insight into solutions for the workplace and graduate programs that could increase genetic counselors' research participation.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Metal-Free Organic Dye-Sensitizer for Solar Cell: An Advanced Organic Chemistry Research-Based Laboratory

A multistep synthesis of a metal-free organic dye-sensitizer for solar cells was developed as a multifaceted research project for upper-division undergraduate students with a goal of introducing students to the application of organic synthesis in material science, and renewable energy research. The characterization of the dye is done by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), NMR, IR, melting point, UV–vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry.

Knowledge Translation in Research Centers of Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences: Experience of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Background: Despite significant expansion, indigenous research regarding health system still faces challenges in the field of research application. They include lack of reliable evidence, late arrival of evidence by policymakers or inappropriate language of evidence related to the field of knowledge exchange and translation. The aim of this study is to investigate the status of knowledge translation in research centers of Kerman University of Medical Sciences.&#x0D; Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2020 in research centers affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Centers entered the study through census and a standard questionnaire of self-assessment regarding knowledge-producing organizations was used. It contained 50 questions in 4 areas of research question, knowledge production, knowledge transfer and promotion of using evidence. After collecting and coding, the data were entered into SPSS 25 software and analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test.&#x0D; Results: 20 clinical research centers and 6 non-clinical centers participated in this study. Only 3.85 % of the centers scored more than 80 % in total. Regarding the research question, knowledge production, knowledge transfer and promotion of using evidence, the mean standard deviation of scores were 35/85 ± 9/93, 31/50 ± 7/54, 76/65 ± 16/35 and 9/31 ± 3/27, respectively. The best situation was related to knowledge production with 70 % of the score. Findings of the Mann-Whitney U test showed that the mean of all domains in the two groups were not different.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge translation. But, factors such as creating a structure for knowledge translation committee, considering the process of exchange, translation and transfer of knowledge in the process of approving student dissertations and research projects, reviewing research policies and creation of motivational mechanisms to promote the status of researchers can play an important facilitating role in achieving the appropriate level of knowledge exchange and translation.&#x0D;

Current Issues of Organizing The student Social Studies Research Project (from the experience of the city research projects competition of students of grades 5–8)

Problem and Aim. The relevance of the study is due to the lack of a separate study summarizing the current issues of organizing student social studies projects based on the papers submitted to the city research project competition of students of grades 5-8 in Novosibirsk City. Methodology. The research methodology is based on the method of comparison, analysis, synthesis, description and the content analysis method, which allows for identifying the main problems that were developed by schoolchildren within the framework of research projects. Research results. It has been found that most of the papers of schoolchildren submitted to the city research competition are devoted to issues of improving the level of financial literacy of the population and the organization of entrepreneurial activity; the family as the most important institution of society, performing a variety of functions; environmental problems; different aspects of the spiritual sphere of society, the study of the psychological aspect of social science knowledge; networking, Internet resources. The author, based on the analysis of papers, explains the main non-compliance of the project studies of schoolchildren with the evaluation criteria. The article outlines the perspectives in the organization of project research activities of schoolchildren in social studies. In the end, it is concluded that it is important for schoolchildren to participate in the research project competition since this type of activity contributes to the development of different skills and social studies knowledge among schoolchildren.

Nonlinear coupling in an asymmetric pendulum

We investigate the nonlinear behavior of a simple pendulum fixed to an elastic rod, which can only vibrate horizontally. When released without initial angular momentum, the plane of the pendulum rotates, and the bob traces a delicate stationary pattern. We explain this effect as amplitude modulation due to the nonlinear coupling between the two degrees of freedom. We construct a theoretical model and approximately solve the equations of motion analytically (using the method of multiple scales); we also solve these equations numerically. In the analytical solution, the modulation period depends not only on the dynamical parameters but also on the pendulum's initial release position, which is typical of nonlinear systems. Finally, we build a simple apparatus and conduct a quantitative experiment. The approximate analytical solutions exhibit the same trends as the numerical results and experimental data. After adding linear dissipation, the numerical and experimental results match fairly well. This system can serve as an instructive demonstration as well as a nonlinear dynamics research project for undergraduate students.

Wireless Communication Signals: A Laboratory-Based Approach

The book provides a comprehensive set of tools for communication engineers and interested researchers for the analysis and design of wireless systems by discussing not only the basic theory, but also modeling, computer simulation, and hardware testing of the various building blocks of modern communication systems. The code snippets throughout the book enable readers to attain hands-on experience by implementing them on software and observing the effect of various parameters on the performance of the system. While the book is not explicitly divided into different parts, there is a general harmony and progression in the way the chapters are arranged. Considering the broad scope of this book and its in-depth coverage of many practical issues regarding modern wireless communication systems, we believe that it can be used as a textbook or a valuable reference for a senior undergraduate or graduate-level laboratory-orientied course focusing on wireless digital communications. The book is organized in such a way that it can be used to support various wireless and/or digital communication courses from beginner to advanced levels, and can serve as a reference for research projects of both undergraduate and graduate students. More importantly, the models and codes introduced in this book are universal and can be used in conjunction with any software-defined radio platform. Considering all these, this book is a valuable resource for our community.

The Benefits of an Open-Science Approach in Student Research Projects

Student projects can sometimes be overlooked when considering open science methods. This is perhaps because of the limited time available to complete the project, a lack of confidence in their open research skills by supervision staff or students, and lower expectations of publications resulting from student project work (particularly at undergraduate level). However, open science methods add value to student projects and provide benefits on several levels.&#x0D; This talk describes from both the student and supervisor perspectives how open science can benefit student projects - from methods to management - using recent undergraduate projects as an example. We give a brief description of the concept of open science as we understand it and discuss the general benefits of an open science approach to research.&#x0D; The Edward Wallace lab (School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh) has run several student projects working with and extending the open source software tool 'riboviz' to process and analyse ribosome profiling sequencing datasets. This collaborative project worked with experts in the UK and USA and aimed to add new features and capabilities to riboviz, thoroughly documenting the software, and successfully using it to analyse a diverse range of datasets from organisms across the tree of life.&#x0D; Student projects recreated existing published results using riboviz, developed new visualisation scripts, and added new optional features to the codebase to address specific research questions.&#x0D; This talk discusses how both the student project and the riboviz project fit into open science research, covering how open science tools were used to plan, manage and carry out an open science project and the challenges these presented. For example, as this was a computer-based project, we discuss the tools and skills needed by the students to successfully complete the project, including programming skills (Unix command-line, R, Python) and version control (using Git and GitHub) and the open resources used to learn and develop these skills.&#x0D; Open software tools such as version control are also explained in the context of student supervision and project management (for example how to use GitHub issue tickets for identifying and quickly solving project problems remotely), and for writing collaborative manuscripts (such as the recently published riboviz 2 paper and open science article).&#x0D; Our experiences provide a strong case study for successful open science approaches in student projects and clear evidence of their long-term benefits to students, supervisors and wider lab groups. We highlight our "top takeaways" aimed at students, day-to-day supervisors, and PIs and demonstrate how others can take the same approach.