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Undergraduate Research Symposium
Frequently Asked Questions

Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works

BASIC INFORMATION QUESTIONS

INTENT TO PARTICIPATE AND APPLICATION QUESTIONS

ABSTRACT QUESTIONS

POSTER AND ORAL PRESENTATION QUESTIONS

MENTOR QUESTIONS

GENERAL QUESTIONS

BASIC INFORMATION QUESTIONS

What is the URS?

Students present their research in poster and oral formats as they would in a professional-style conference. The research needs to be conducted at UM-St. Louis between winter/spring 07 and winter/spring 08.

Who can apply to participate in the URS?

Current UM-St. Louis students OR graduated UM-St. Louis students within one academic year from the date of the previous URS.

Is this only for science majors?

  • No. Definitely not. Students from all majors (including the humanities and fine arts) are welcome and encouraged to apply to present their work.  If your research/presentation is appropriate for a conference in your discipline, consider applying for the URS. If you are worried that your work may not be presentable in either poster or oral presentation format, contact the chairs of the URS (urs@umsl.edu) to discuss the project.
  • From the inception of the URS, the word ‘research’ in the title was intended to be inclusive of a variety of activities considered important in different disciplines. For the 2007 URS, the URS committee realized that some disciplines might not label the work of their students as research, so the words scholarship and creative works were added to emphasize the inclusion nature of the URS.

What is the difference between research, scholarship and creative works?

In fact, most projects include a combination of research, scholarship, and creative thought. The URS committee defines them in the following way:

  • Research: Typically characterized by evidence-based exploration of a question or hypothesis that entails working with primary sources, in a laboratory, or with direct observation. Projects from senior seminar, introduction to research methodology, or research courses are particularly appropriate. The project must demonstrate intellectual rigor, innovation, and originality. We expect upper-level work.
  • Scholarship: Typically characterized by evidence-based exploration of a question or hypothesis that entails working with secondary sources (e.g., literature reviews or theoretical concepts demonstrated through works of art and/or performance). Projects from senior seminar, introduction to research methodology, or research courses are particularly appropriate. The project must demonstrate intellectual rigor, innovation, and originality. We expect upper-level work.
  • Creative Works: Typically characterized by theory-based exploration that yields a project that shows academic achievement through an artistic product or performance (e.g., poetry, graphic design, or musical composition). The project must demonstrate intellectual rigor, innovation, and originality. We expect upper-level work.

NOTE: Your “artist’s statement,” specific to the work being presented, needs to be printed in a professional manner and displayed at the URS.  This statement needs to include your inspiration and/or process for creating the project. In addition, any historical or technical information that will help viewers or listeners to understand the work better can also be included.

NOTE: Your abstract needs to address the purpose, significance, medium, and other anticipated venues for presentation, performance, or publication.

Is the URS open to writers and artists?

Definitely! We encourage writers, visual artists, composers, and performing artists to submit an Application.  You can choose to submit under “creative works” (e.g., a poem, graphic design, or performance) or under “research or scholarship” (e.g., primary source research or secondary source scholarship about literature, art, music, drama).

Is the URS open to group projects?

  • We recognize that research, scholarship, and creative works are often done in groups, so we encourage group projects.
  • Only one Intent to Participate (ITP) and one Application per group should be submitted.
  • Someone in the group has to be designated as the primary or lead person. The chosen member’s name will appear first on the listing in the URS booklet. The primary or lead person should submit the Intent to Participate(ITP) or Application.  Other group members will be listed in the order indicated on the application.

Why should I participate in the URS?

Professional reasons:

  • Most disciplines now include poster sessions at their professional conferences; this will help you learn to create the poster.
  • In most jobs, you will need to be able to speak in front of an audience.  Giving either a poster or an oral presentation will give you practice speaking about your topic to strangers.
  • Applying for professional conferences includes advance planning and a variety of applications. The mere act of applying helps you understand the process.
  • You can list this on your resume.  Students who take the risk and take advantage of learning opportunities impress graduate schools and employers.
  • You will be networking with the faculty, staff, and students who visit your poster or attend your oral presentation.

Mental growth:

  • The very act of having to create a poster or an oral presentation requires that you address your material in a new way.  Rather than only collecting data, you are forced to choose, synthesize, and analyze that data.
  • You will be speaking to an audience of varied disciplines and backgrounds.  You will get practice in explaining your topic at different levels of theory and specificity.
  • You will gain confidence from your experience.

How complete must the research be?

  • Some research is undertaken in stages, which might take years to complete; therefore, applicants are not required to have the full and final conclusion to their research.
  • However, the research must be well underway and the student must have enough data collected and analyzed to make an interesting and useful presentation.
  • We understand that final results and conclusions might not be ready for the abstract deadline (in which case, students could include their expected results). However, students should have results and conclusions ready to discuss with others by the date of the URS.

Is the URS exactly like a professional conference?

  • No, the participants and audience are different. At the URS all participants are students from all colleges at the university. Most professional conferences are confined to one or two related disciplines. Participants should keep in mind that there will be an educated, but non-specialist, audience.
  • No, the time schedule is different. Many professional conferences require that you submit a proposal or an abstract at least ten months before the event. Understandably, many of the results and conclusions are not yet final ten months before a conference. The URS has a much tighter schedule (requiring an application only 5 weeks before the event), in order to deal with the compressed time schedule for student research in academic semesters.
  • No, the pre-event workshops and free printed posters are different. Professional conferences do not offer workshops on writing abstracts or making posters. We recognize that many of our participants are still acquiring these skills and may need some instruction.

INTENT TO PARTICIPATE AND APPLICATION QUESTIONS

What are the submission deadlines and process?

  • Recommended: Submit Intent To Participate form:  due by 15 February
  • Required:   Submit Application with completed abstract and recommendation from professor: due by 21 March
  • Recommended: attend abstract, poster, and oral presentation workshops. Note that you must attend a poster workshop in order to be eligible to receive free professional printing of your poster URS 2008 Calendar
  • Recommended: Submit electronic file for professionally printed poster - free. Deadline to be announced via your UM-St. Louis e-mail.

Is an "Intent To Participate (ITP) form required?

No, but it is highly recommended.  Filing an ITP gives you priority scheduling and equipment usage at the URS.

  • Filing an ITP ensures that you are invited to participate in abstract and poster workshops conducted by the Center for Student Success.
  • Filing an ITP does not obligate you to participate nor does it guarantee acceptance into the URS. 

NOTE: You must still submit the formal Application with the abstract by the March deadline.

What if I miss the deadline for the ITP form?

You can still submit an Application by the March deadline.  However, participants who filed an ITP in February will have equipment and room priority.

Where can I get the Application?

Go to this web site: http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/artscience/uresearch/URS.html

How do I get information not covered by the FAQ?

Contact the current chairs or book editors; all can be reached at urs@umsl.edu.

Is every Application accepted?

  • Applications/abstracts are screened for quality; you will be notified if your Application is not accepted.  Applicants should consult with their mentors about the suitability of their presentation.
  • Before the URS Abstract Books are printed, the URS editor makes suggested and required edits to the abstracts and titles; failure to agree to the required edits before the deadline will disqualify your Application.
ABSTRACT QUESTIONS

Who should write the abstract?

  • The participant must write the abstract. The URS is designed to help students learn about professional conferences and writing abstracts is part of becoming a professional.
  • Participants can and should consult with their professor and/or mentor to read over the abstract to make sure it is appropriate. Guidelines are also provided in many discipline handbooks (e.g., the APA stylebook for psychology majors).
  • There will be workshops to help you fine-tune your abstract. The dates will be announced via your UM-St. Louis student e-mail. However, do not wait until the workshop to start writing your abstract. You will learn much more from the workshop if you have a draft in hand.

What should my abstract be like?

Your abstract should answer these four questions, using 200 words at most (Note: Each discipline emphasizes some areas more than others, and that is o.k. While these criteria apply in some fashion to most disciplines, students presenting creative works may wish to contact the URS editors):

  • What is the motivation for the research or the problem to be solved by the research?
  • What methods did you use in your research?
  • What were the results? (if the data is not in yet, what results do you expect?)
  • What conclusions do you draw from the results?

What does the committee do with the abstracts?

  • We decide whether your submission is suitable for the URS.
  • We print them in the URS Abstract Book. Visitors to the URS can read the abstracts and pinpoint which presentations they are most interested in attending or viewing.
  • Before the URS Abstract Books are printed, the URS editor makes suggested and required edits to the abstracts and titles. NOTE:  As stated above, failure to agree to the required edits before the deadline will disqualify your Application.  
  • Presenters can add the booklet to their portfolio to show to prospective graduate schools and employers.

POSTER AND ORAL PRESENTATIONS QUESTIONS

What is the difference between a poster and an oral presentation?

Poster:  You create a poster or have one professionally printed.  On the day of the event, you set up your poster and stand near it to explain your research to visitors.

NOTE: You are required to stay with your poster during the entire poster session.

Oral presentation: A 15-minute talk to an audience in a room set aside for this purpose.  You may choose to have some sort of visual aid or not. After your talk, you will have 5 minutes to take questions from the audience.   Presentations of creative work may follow a slightly different format (if you have any concerns, consult with the URS chairs).

NOTE: If you are going to need any equipment (such as overhead projector/transparencies, PowerPoint equipment, zip drive) you must order it when you submit your Application.

What are the poster requirements?

NOTE: Participants can choose between a professionally printed poster, a tri-fold poster, or flat poster. Please carefully read the requirements and deadlines listed below for the chosen style.
   
Professionally Printed posters:
Size:

  • Minimum – 30" h x 40" w
  • Maximum – 36" h  x 56" w
  • Suggested – 32" h x 40" w – receive a FREE poster, foam board, and Velcro fasteners – see  details below

Printing:

  • All printed poster participants who have attended a poster workshop who submit their PowerPoint file by the deadline via http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/artscience/uresearch/URSforms.htm (Upload Poster File e-form) will receive a FREE professionally printed poster. This service is provided by UM-St. Louis Graphics & Printing through a generous grant from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Pierre Laclede Honors College.

NOTE: Pick up FREE printed poster(s) at the URS registration desk between 11:30am and 12:45pm the day of the URS. The poster(s) will be rolled up for easy transport and storage after the URS.

NOTE: The Upload Poster File link will only be active during the dates posted on the e-form.

  • All printed poster participants who miss the deadline must supply their own professionally printed poster.

Foam Board: (Poster size requirements apply)

  • 32" h x 40" w - The URS will supply one FREE 1/8" thick – 32" h x 40"w foam board per Poster File submission.  This service is provided by the University Bookstore through a generous grant from Student Affairs.

NOTE: Participants who supply their own printed poster (32" h X 40" w) are also eligible to receive a FREE foam board. Special arrangements must be made by sending an e-mail to URS@umsl.edu by April 11th at midnight.

NOTE: Participants may pick up their FREE foam board at the URS registration desk between 11:30am and 12:45pm the day of the URS.

  • All other poster sizes - The participant must supply a foam board the same size as their printed poster.

Poster Fasteners:

  • The URS will supply one FREE set of Velcro fasteners per Poster File submission. This service is provided by the University Bookstore through a generous grant from Student Affairs.

NOTE: Participants who provide their own printed poster are also eligible to receive a FREE set of Velcro fasteners. Special arrangements must be made by sending an e-mail to URS@umsl.edu by April 11th at midnight.

NOTE: Participants may pick up their FREE set of Velcro fasteners at the URS registration desk between 11:30am and 12:45pm the day of the URS.

  • Participants who wish to fasten their poster to the foam board in any other manner must provide all supplies.

Tri-fold posters:

Size:

  • Folded for carrying – 36" h x 24" w
  • Unfolded for display – 36" h x 48" w

NOTE: These are also known as “corrugated presentation boards” or “display boards.”

Flat poster:

Size:

  • Minimum – 30" h x 40" w
  • Maximum – 36" h  x 56" w
  • Suggested – 32" h x 40" w – receive a FREE poster, foam board, and Velcro fasteners – see  details below

NOTE: Flat poster boards must be attached to or created on a foam board the same size.

NOTE: Participants who supply a 32" h X 40" w flat poster are also eligible to receive a FREE foam board. Special arrangements must be made by sending an e-mail to URS@umsl.edu by April 11th at midnight.

NOTE: Participants who provide a 32" h X 40" w flat poster are also eligible to receive a FREE set of Velcro fasteners. Special arrangements must be made by sending an e-mail to URS@umsl.edu by April 11th at midnight.

Displaying posters: What can the URS committee provide?

NOTE: Participants can not tape anything to the walls. 

Professionally printed posters w/ foam board support:

Easel: (Poster size requirements apply)

  • 30" h x 40" w to 36" h x 48" w - The URS will provide one easel per participant. One additional easel for displaying a creative work can be requested via the participant’s Application.
  • 36" h x 49" w to 36" h x 56"w – Requires two easels. Special arrangements must be made either on the participant’s Application or by sending an e-mail to URS@umsl.edu by April 11th at midnight. One additional easel for displaying a creative work can be requested via the participant’s Application.

Table:

  • The URS will provide one table shared by two participants only to display artifacts, creative works, etc. Special arrangements must be made via the participant’s Application to receive an entire table.

Tri-folded posters: (Choose one)

Easel:

  • The URS will provide one easel per participant. One additional easel for displaying a creative work can be requested via the participant’s Application.

Table:

  • The URS will provide one table shared by two participants. Special arrangements must be made via the participant’s Application to receive an entire table. The additional space can only be used to display artifacts, creative works, etc.

Flat poster:

  • The URS will provide one easel per participant. One additional easel for displaying a creative work can be requested via the participant’s Application.

How do I create a poster?

  • Consult your mentor or a professor in your discipline, who will know the requirements of your field.
  • There will be workshops to help you fine-tune your poster. The dates will be announced via your UM-St. Louis student e-mail. However, do not wait until the workshop to start working on your poster. You will learn much more from the workshop if you have a sketched draft.
  • We also have a handout of suggested poster guidelines.  This handout lists suggestions, not rigid rules.

NOTE: For assistance getting started, the following web sites can be consulted: http://www.efcats.org/presentation/poster.html 

Is PowerPoint available for poster presenters?

  • No, we do not provide PowerPoint for poster presenters
  • You can bring your own laptop. The MSC has wifi.

Are the oral presentations scary?

  • Let’s face it, any presentation includes an element of anxiety. 
  • However, since you will be presenting in a non-threatening environment, this will give you practice before you need to give a presentation in a tension-filled venue (like a job interview).
  • Always remember that since this is your research, you are the expert on it.

NOTE: For assistance on oral presentations the following web sites can be consulted:  http://www.auburn.edu/~burnsma/oralpres.html                      

Can I use Powerpoint in my oral presentation?

  • You must request the equipment when you file your ITP and/or Applications.
  • If you choose to use PowerPoint, please remember to use it well.  For example, do not use PowerPoint as a teleprompter.  Do not put your whole paper on PowerPoint and then read the paper to the audience from the screen.  This is boring for the audience; the audience craves eye contact and spontaneity.  Reading from the screen also makes the audience wonder if you actually know the material (if you knew it, why would you read it to them?).
  • Bring your PowerPoint presentation on a flash drive. Some refer to this as a memory stick or thumb drive.

Can I request PowerPoint equipment the day of the event?

  • No. Request it on your ITP and/or Application.

When will I know what time my oral presentation is?

  • You already know the basic parameters: the oral presentations take place between 12 pm and 3 pm.
  • The exact schedule will be determined the week before the event.  If you have any class or work conflicts, you must notify the URS committee at least 2 weeks before the event via e-mail - URS@umsl.edu.  We cannot guarantee that we can schedule around your conflict, but we will try.

What if I have my own display equipment or have special display needs?

  • The URS will allow participants to use their own display equipment such as an easel or custom display stand provided special arrangements are made via the participant’s Application.
  • Participants must indicate special display needs via the participant’s Application.
  • The URS makes no guarantee to fulfill special requests. Participants will be notified if the request cannot be met.

How do I submit my URS PowerPoint Poster file(s) to be printed?
           
NOTE: For URS Poster requirements click here

NOTE: The Upload Poster Submission link will only be available:

April 7, 2008 through April 11, 2008 at midnight

FAQ PowerPoint Poster File Submission Instructions

NOTE: Only Microsoft Office 2003 Version PowerPoint (.ppt) files are accepted by the URS.

NOTE: IF YOU HAVE CREATED YOUR POSTER IN MICROSOFT OFFICE 2007 VERSION YOU WILL NEED TO SAVE THE FILE AS A 2003 FILE BEFORE PROCEEDING.

  1. Click on the Forms button (along the left side of the site)
  2. Click on Application (in the middle of the page)
  3. Enter your MyGateway (sso id) and password
  4. Click on the button to the left of Poster File Upload
  5. Look below the words-This uploaded file for:
    • If you submitted:
    • One Application – the button next to that Application will be filled
    • Two Applications – choose the corresponding Application from the list
  6. Click Browse... and locate your PowerPoint poster file
    • e.g., K: [school storage drive], C: [computer hard drive], E or F:   [flash/thumb drive/external drive], CD: [cd/dvd drive]
  7. Click on your PowerPoint poster file name (NOTE: ONLY MICROSOFT OFFICE 2003 VERSION FILES WILL UPLOAD CORRECTLY.)
  8. Click on Open
  9. Your PowerPoint poster file name will appear in the box
  10. Your file name will be converted to this format: LastName_FirstInitial_URSYear_Name of Your Presentation.ppt
  11. Verify the PowerPoint poster file name is correct

    Then

  12. Click the appropriate button(s) under Foam Board
  13. Click the Submit button ONCE
  14. Wait patiently…
  15. This process could take several minutes depending on the size of the PowerPoint file. Do not click the Submit again. Wait Patiently…
  16. When the upload is complete the screen will change back to the screen seen in Step 5.
  17. To verify the correct file was uploaded look under
    My Uploaded poster file:
  18. Click on
  19. Save & View to verify the correct file was uploaded and/or
  20. Delete if the file uploaded is not the correct file
  21. Repeat Steps 4 – 17 to upload a replacement file OR an additional file for a different URS Application
  22. Log out
  23. NOTE: Direct questions to URS@umsl.edu.

When and how will I get the professionally printed Poster?

  • Graphics and Printing Services will deliver ALL printed Posters to the URS committee.
  • URS participants may not pick up posters from Graphics and Printing Services.
  • Printed posters are delivered rolled up in protective brown paper.
  • ALL URS participants will receive their poster the day of the URS during registration.
  • Registration for Poster Presentation participants is from 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM the day of the URS. Please do not wait until the last minute to arrive!
  • Poster Presentation participants are required to affix the Velcro fasteners provided (if requested) to their poster and foam board and set up posters on the easels provided (if requested). Please allow enough time to accomplish this task before the URS Poster Presentations begin at 1:00 PM.
  • Answers to other questions regarding poster requirements can be found at our website: http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/artscience/uresearch/URS.html. Look under the FAQ button then go to the POSTER AND ORAL PRESENTATION QUESTIONS section.

If you still have questions, please contact us via e-mail at URS@umsl.edu.

MENTOR QUESTIONS

The Application asks for my mentor/advisor. What exactly does this mean?

  • You should list the faculty member(s) (including graduate research/teaching assistants) who are helping you with this project. (If in doubt, list the person as mentor.) If you have questions about this, contact the chairs of the URS - URS@umsl.edu.
  • Usually this is the professor of the class in which you started the project.
  • However, if you started the project in one class and finished or expanded it in another class, put down both (or all) professors.
  • In some cases, the mentor/advisor would include faculty members overseeing the project and a teaching assistant (or several) who works more directly with you.
  • Consult your mentors to find out the information about themselves that is required on the Application form (do not rely on information in a UM-St. Louis e-mail database).

Are letters of recommendation required?

All presenters are required to have their mentors fill out and submit the recommendation form to support their Application. (Note: the form will be posted online shortly)

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Is there any thing else I should bring with me?

Professional equipment (optional):

  • Business cards (you can print them on your computer)
  • Copies of your paper to give to visitors

Comfort equipment (recommended):

  • Comfortable shoes – you will be standing during the entire poster session
  • Snack and water bottle - you might want to eat lunch before the poster session starts since you will need to be standing near your poster during the entire time (2 hours)

What do I wear?

Look professional: wear business appropriate attire. 

May I invite guests?

ABSOLUTELY!  Please ask your friends, family, professors, or even your mail carrier. Basically, you can and definitely want to invite anyone who will agree to come and be your moral support. You might even consider inviting prospective employers or anyone in your field of study that you want to impress.

Is the URS the same as the URDC?

No, these are very different events, although students are encouraged to present at both events. The URS is held at UM-St. Louis. It is open to students from all disciplines. The URDC (Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol) is held in Jefferson City. A limited number of students from each UM campus are eligible to attend. Nominations for the URDC, which occurs in the Spring, are due in the previous Fall.  For more information, visit http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/artscience/uresearch/URDC.html
or contact Dr. Kathryn Walterscheid at walterscheidk@umsl.edu.

URS