Student Research Projects

Introduction

Niagara College is committed to developing student competencies in research activities, including sourcing and assessing potential research projects, conducting research activities in an ethical manner, respecting the college practices that define research projects, working collaboratively with faculty, outside organizations, and other students in research teams, and presenting the results of research in a professional manner.

Practice

1. Normally, student research projects will be a required part of the curriculum of a program, and will receive grades that form a percentage of the overall student grade for the course or program. The project may be either individual or group, and may form a component of a course or the entire course. Each project will be conducted under the guidance of an appropriate faculty member or academic manager.
2. To qualify as a research project, the work must be designed to accept or reject a hypothesis (either qualitatively or quantitatively, or answer research questions. It must follow accepted research protocols in the field of study. It must involve investigation and analysis. There must be validation of the research findings to currently existing literature or research.
3. Current students may be hired to assist in the conduct of research contracts or grants received by Niagara College. In this situation, the student is not conducting research as part of a program or course requirement, and so is not subject to this practice. Hiring of students will be conducted in accordance with college human resource practices.
4. Whatever the nature of the research project that a student may be involved in, the student must abide by college practices on the conduct of research and protection of intellectual property.
5. Students may be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for any research project they are involved with, either individually or as a team.
6. Where a particular type of research project is routinely conducted as part of a course assignment, the project type may be approved once by the academic manager and director, research and innovation, and thereafter subject to another review only if it is substantially changed.

Roles and Responsibilities in Student Research Projects

The Office of Research and Innovation.

The office of Research and Innovation provides advice on the nature of a research project. It determines whether an ethical review of a planned project must take place. The office offers guidance on the protection of intellectual property developed through the research activity, and assists with publication of the research findings where appropriate.

The Director, Research and Innovation must sign the Student Research Project application form. The office of Research and Innovation retains a copy of the form.

The Academic Division

The academic division faculty and staff are responsible for assigning research project tasks, assisting in the development of the research project plan, monitoring the conduct of the research project, and assigning and grading research project assignments and reports. The division also determines the nature of the presentation/publication of a student research project if the project is part of the academic course requirements.

The Student

It is the responsibility of the student involved in a research activity to conduct research professionally, responsibly and ethically, and to conduct it within the guidelines and practices of the college. The student should document all research activities in approved formats (e.g. lab books), sign and date all documentation as required for the protection of the research activities and findings, and complete research tasks as outlined in the work plan and approved by the faculty member or academic manager.

Procedures

1. Students wishing to participate in research projects should complete the “Student Research Project Application Form” (attached to this practice document).
2. The application form is signed by the student, faculty, academic manager and Director, Research.
3. The original of the form is held in the department responsible for the research; a copy is sent to the office of Research and Innovation.
4. A Non-disclosure agreement may also be required prior to the start of research. (attached to this practice document).
5. Once all signatures have been gathered on all relevant documents, the research may begin.
6. Students may request assistance at any time from the office of Research and Innovation regarding college practices for research.