HONORS THESIS WORKSHOPEmily BurnhamRebecca Reed

Molly Burns

Will MunionDana FiszbeinDavid Fiszbein

Jessica ReganDanny VazquezBriana Ketterer

Maggie SaccomanoSteph Zankman

1. WHY DO RESEARCH? (DAVID AND DANNY)

U of A has a great research background - Take advantage of funding and resourcesHaving a research background looks great on a resume for any post-baccalaureate educationYou can study something that you're interested inHelp to solve real world problems, evolution of knowledgeApply classroom work to a useful situationNetworking opportunity - get to know people in the field, find quality references, other research professionalsExtra source of upper division credits, or even reimbursementCan serve as a basis for the Honors Thesis projectWay for personal and professional development

2. FINDING SOMEONE TO DO RESEARCH WITH (EMILY)

Look around, Make a list, Think about your potential passions Physiology.arizona.edu à Research, Groups Individual faculty sites (BIO 5 or other) CBIO496J Frontiers in Medical Research 1 unit class Pay attention to your listserv emails.

Email 8-10 PI’s, Be polite, Follow-up in 1 week if no response Say you’re an Honors student (if you are) Honors independent study, maybe eventually thesis Specific interest in projects s/he is doing or is interested in (research interests listed on their sites)

Interview - Meet the P.I., Have a chat Talk to the students in the lab. Are they happy? How did their projects develop?

Choose carefully – PHASAC (this group) is here to help you!

3. CONDUCTING SOME RESEARCHIS IT A GOOD FIT? (DANA)

Once you find someone to do research with, spend at least one semester trying out your research position.

How comfortable are you with the work you are doing? How are you treated by others working there?Do you find interest in what you are doing? Is it exciting to you? Can you see yourself continuing to work on this research for at least another semester or until you graduate?Are you confident that you can successfully write your Honors Thesis using this research position?

What to do if you are not happy with where you are:

DON'T PANIC!Sit down with your PI and calmly explain your situation. There is a chance that you may be able to work something out!If not, thank them for everything!Then begin to reevaluate research interests.

4. COMPOSING A RESEARCH QUESTION (BRIANA)

What interests you?Do you want to expand on a project that your lab is currently working on?Do you want to formulate a new question with your mentor?

Now you have a question,What is your hypothesis?How will you answer it?

Will it be based in a lab, or out in the community?Do you need special training/resources to answer your question?

4. COMPOSING A RESEARCH QUESTION (BRIANA)

Chocolate!Question: Does chocolate really make you more intelligent when you eat it while studying?Hypothesis: Eating chocolate while studying increases one’s intelligence and ability to retain knowledge through an increase in central nervous activity.Experiment:

Develop a pre-test and a post-test. Administer the pre-test to all test takers.Divide into a control, and three experimental groups. The experimental groups receive one, two and three bars of chocolate respectively. Administer the post-test. Analyze the differences in scores.

4B. LITERATURE REVIEW (WILL)Once you’ve formed your question, you need to become familiar with studies that have already taken place that are similar or relevant to your area of research. You may find studies that will help support your hypothesis, and can be referenced in your final paper.You may find studies where you want to run the experiments yourself, possibly modifying the experimental techniques.

CHOCOLATE“The Effect of Chocolate on CNS activity.” Will E. Wonka et alThis study provides data indicating increased levels of central nervous system activity with an increased consumption of chocolate.You decide this data is relevant to your question of whether Chocolates has the ability to increase intelligence. Take notes on a wide array of papers that pertain to your project to acquire general knowledge

“Caffeine content in Chocolate” Sammy SnickersThis study tried to correlate the amount of caffeine in a given chocolate bar with increased test scores. The study showed no correlation.You decide you want to try the study yourself.

5. IRB APPROVAL (MOLLY)Institutional Review Board!They must approve any research project involving human subjects (like this one!)1) Complete CITI2) Fill out a Project Review Form

RationaleSubject criteriaRisks/benefits for subjects

Important ThingsInformed ConsentAvoiding coercionDosageSubject privacy/confidentiality

PLAN AHEAD!!!!

ANIMAL WORKInstitutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Must approve your project before you conduct any research on animals

1) Submit Animal Protocol Review Form2) IACUC approves it, sends you a verification form, good to go!

6. GETTING RESULTS/COLLECTING DATA (MAGGIE)

Once you have established a mentor, lab and project, it is time to begin the task of actually physically collecting data and getting resultsHours spent in the lab collecting data can vary week to week and project to projectRemember! The scientific process doesn't always work out the way you expect that it will: You may need to alter your project or may even be unable to collect the data you set out to collectFor our example student, data collection would involve administering exams with and without previously giving chocolateProblems in data collection for our student could, for example, include students not returning for repeated testing

7. WHAT TO DO WITH THE DATA I HAVE? (JESSICA)

Statistical analysis

8. WRITING THE THESIS (REBECCA)

First, a few pointersTraditionally, the Honors Thesis involves:

Introduction: statement of purpose/ relevance Includes the literature review!

MethodologyResultsAnalysis/Conclusions

Vary in length (up to you and your mentor to decide what is appropriate)

9. GRADUATION WITH HONORS (STEPH)

Challenge yourselfPersonalize your education and develop your interestsNetworking opportunityExposure to “higher education,” possibility for publication?Recognition for your hard work Distinction from other students applying to graduate programsGraduation with Honors "Checklist" Keep an eye out for websiteUse us as a resource!!

QUESTIONS??(NOTECARDS)