There are no limitations in the field of study. We encourage research projects in the sciences, business, humanities, arts, etc. Projects should involve students in as many elements of the Research Cycle as possible (see Figure 1). This includes formulating a research question, developing a research plan, collection and analysis of data, and communication of results. When you submit at Research Posting via eDISCOVERY, you will be able to specify desired majors, departments, or colleges. eDISCOVERY is a convenient tool to connect you students from majors outside your department for your interdisciplinary research needs.

4. Can eDISCOVERY be used for posting paid and unpaid research positions?

Yes, mentors have the option of selecting different types of "Student Categories" for their research postings. Following is a brief description of the Student Categories for UH postings:

Research Assistant (Paid) – Select this category if you have funding from a research grant or your office to pay the student an hourly wage.

Work-Study (Paid by Financial Aid) – Select this category if you are interested in mentoring a Work-Study student on a research project. Beginning in fall 2009, students who receive work-study financial aid will be paid 100% by Federal or Texas Work-Study. There would be no cost to the mentor for hiring a work-study student. Use eDISCOVERY to select a student that matches your desired qualifications. Once you identify the student and confirm that they have a work-study grant, you will need to use your department’s normal procedures for posting the position on the UCS CWS Job site and inform the student of the job number. The normal Work-Study hiring process must still be followed. All mentors who select this category will also be considered for the Work-Study STAR Program at the beginning of each Fall semester. For more information about Work-Study STAR, visit: www.uh.edu/discovery/WorkStudySTAR.html.

PURS – Select this category if you are interested in mentoring a student during the Fall or Spring semester for 5-7 hrs per week. If you identify a qualified student, then he/she must submit an application to the PURS Program with guidance from you regarding the proposed research project. See Question #5 below for more information.

SURF – Select this category if you are interested in the mentoring a student full-time for ten weeks during the summer. . If you identify a qualified student, then he/she must submit an application to the SURF Program with guidance from you regarding the proposed research project. See Question #6 below for more information.

Sr. Honors Thesis – Select this category if you are interested in directing a student for at least two semesters for their Senior Honors Thesis. Upon successful defense of their thesis, the student receives course credit and university honors or honors in major. See Question #7 below for more information.

Course Credit – Select this category if you are interested in mentoring a student who plans to enroll in an independent study, research practicum, internship or similar course next semester.

Other – for all other categories that do not fit any of the above.

5. What is the “PURS” Student Category and what are the qualifications/restrictions for mentors?

The Provost's Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program (PURS) provides $1000 scholarships to talented UH juniors and seniors with the opportunity to enrich their undergraduate experience by participating in a part-time research project under the direction of a UH faculty mentor. The PURS faculty mentor must be a full-time faculty member from any college and department on campus. For more specific guidelines on the PURS program, visit www.undergraduateresearch.uh.edu/purs.html.

6. What is the “SURF” Student Category and what are the qualifications/restrictions for mentors?

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program at the University of Houston (SURF-UH) provides $2800 stipends to rising UH sophomores, juniors and seniors to participate in a focused, full-time, 10-week summer research experience under the direction of UH faculty. The SURF faculty mentor must be a full-time faculty member from any college and department on campus. For more specific guidelines on the SURF program, visit www.undergraduateresearch.uh.edu/surf.html.

7. What is the “Sr. Thesis” Student Category and what are the qualifications/restrictions for mentors?

The Senior Honors Thesis is a capstone program for students, and requires a total of six hours of coursework (250-300 clock hours). The student signs up for 3399H and 4399H typically within their major, but not always. The student will receive an IP (incomplete) for 3399H, which will be changed to a letter grade when the student defends the thesis at the end of the second semester. Students who complete a Senior Honors Thesis will graduate with University Honors (for theses outside the major), Honors in Major (for students who complete a thesis but not the curriculum of The Honors College), or both University Honors and Honors in Major (for Honors College students who complete a thesis in their major). The thesis director must be a full-time faculty member from any college and department on campus. Typically the thesis director is the only faculty member to work closely with the student on the research and text preparation for the thesis. For more specific guidelines on the thesis, visit http://www.undergraduateresearch.uh.edu/thesis_guidelines.htm.

UH Staff – eDISCOVERY FAQs

1. How do I register for a Research Mentor or Supervisor account?

Visit the eDISCOVERY portal and click on "Research Mentor LOG-IN" and complete the online registration form:

http://www.uh.edu/discovery/eDISCOVERY.html

2. Can UH staff members register as research mentors?

Yes. We encourage registrations from UH staff directors and administrators who are interested in mentoring students in a meaningful research projects in their operating area.

3. What do you mean by “meaningful research”?

Staff supervisors are encouraged to post research projects that will involve a student in a research project that supports their operating unit. A research experience should involve training students to engage in various elements of the research cycle (see Figure 1). This includes formulating a research question, developing a research plan, collection and analysis of data, and communication of results.

4. What are some examples of research projects in campus offices?

The following examples are not inclusive. Staff directors and managers are encouraged to think of ways of engaging undergraduates in research projects to support your operating unit.

· Research studies about student perspectives including development of survey instruments and/or conducting focus groups, analyzing data, and communicating results/recommendations.

· Research studies to help evaluate program effectiveness including determining scope of project, collecting and analyzing data, communicating results/recommendations.

· Research projects involving mining of public or private databases to collect and analyze comparative data and present results.

· Research projects involving online or archival research.

Research Cycle

Figure 1. Research Cycle