Course-Based Research: Part 1

 

Providing students with opportunities for research inside and outside of their program of study builds important skills which is one of the reasons why course-based research has been highlighted in Goal 4 of the Academic Plan (Objective 4.2). Course-based research involves embedding research in curriculum (within a specific course).

What requirements must be met for an activity to be considered course-based research? First, it must be minimal risk research (i.e., no greater risk than students encounter in their everyday lives). The course must also have least one CLO which references research and research ethics and the course must assign and evaluate one or more research activities as part of the course. The final criteria is that the research activities are conducted for the purpose of research (adding new knowledge). These might include conducting interviews (for the purpose of research), distributing questionnaires to develop interview or questionnaire design skills, or conducting a mini research project.

What is NOT considered course-based research? Doing any task (e.g., interview) without the intent of it being research, any professional skill development, or practicing any standard industry behaviour (journalism student interviewing someone for a story). Teaching students about the research process, including practice data collection (e.g., from a few students within their classroom) would also not be considered course-based research. It also does not include information-gathering activities undertaken by students in order to provide advice or diagnosis, or to identify an intervention, or give general advice to a client (e.g., nursing student).

However, an information-gathering activity would be considered course-based research if the intent is to educate students on research processes used and it expands existing theories or conceptual knowledge or if students compare new techniques, practices, or programs with standard approaches to determine which is more effective. It would also be considered course-based research if the results or findings are written in a format that would be acceptable for a research journal or academic conference presentation or primary data are collected and organized for analysis and dissemination (or distribution).

Next time, I will outline the Research Ethics Board process for course-based research and provide some example of projects which have occurred at Durham College.

If there is anything I can do to support your research or if you have suggestions for me in my role as Research Coordinator, please reach out via email or pop into my "office hours" on Fridays from 12:30-1:30 on Whereby.