Option 1: Research Presentation and Paper
Emphasis: Research skills, writing skills, and presentation skills

Option 1 Requirements: You must have both your research presentation AND your research paper accepted to receive credit for this component of GS 902.

Option 1 Details:

Presentation Content
Presentation Format
Evaluation of Presentation
Research Paper Format
Evaluation of Research Papers


Presentation Content

You will present key information from your CUT research paper. Your presentation should be based on a draft that is close to being finished. Based on the feedback you receive at the presentation, you should then revise your paper prior to submission. Because your audience is likely uninformed about your topic or unfamiliar with your discipline, you will need to teach them the salient points so they understand the basics of the theory or model being discussed and its possible applications.

Presentation Format

Presentations will be 20 minutes in total: a 10-minute presentation and a 10-minute question and answer session. Please note that you will be unable to present your entire paper in the 10 minutes allotted, as all presentations are timed. A CTE representative will show time cards indicating 2 minutes left and time-up. You should not read from a manuscript; rather, you should deliver a more extemporaneous talk.

During the 10-minute question period you are encouraged to accept questions from your audience and seek input on the content of your paper. Should there not be a full 10 minutes of questions asked by the audience, you should be prepared to lead a discussion on one or more aspects of your research to meet the time requirement.

Evaluation of Presentation

The evaluation criteria are similar for all options. CTE staff will assess the presentation and the interaction with the audience according to the following criteria for Option 1 projects:

  Delivery
  Eye contact
  Speed & Volume
  Articulation
  Facial expressions
  Gestures/Movement
  Design of visuals
  Use of visuals
  Answering of questions clearly
  Enthusiasm
  Confidence

  Structure
  Introduction and preview
  Relevance of topic
  Clear Thesis/Purpose
  Clarity of points
  Supporting material
  Transitions
  Clarity of language
  Quality of interaction
  Summary and conclusion

You will receive a completed evaluation form, including a list of the comments and questions that arose during the discussion period, within one week of your presentation. You do not need to respond in writing to this evaluation, although you are welcome to ask for clarification on any aspect of it. For Option 1, there will be a section titled “Questions Posed/Areas for Further Research”, under which there will be suggestions which you are expected to address in your research paper.

If you are required to revise your presentation, it must be reviewed and approved by the Coordinator prior to scheduling a second presentation time.

Research Paper Format

As with all research project options, research for your paper should be based on current literature on teaching and learning, and should include sources from the experts in your field of study. The workshop and consultation session will provide opportunities to receive guidance on topic selection and sources that are most appropriate for your topic area. Papers should also include your own original thoughts or experiences as an instructor and/or student, as well as examples to illustrate concepts. A good rule-of-thumb to follow is about a two to one ratio of research to original thought.

Following are two possible sets of headings to use in the research paper:

  • Introduction/Statement of Teaching Issue
  • Literature Review
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions/Recommendations
  • Introduction/Statement of Teaching Issue
  • Literature Review
  • Research Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions/Recommendations

These sample headings reflect a social science/scientific structure for the paper. You may deviate from this model if you are more comfortable with a humanities structure. Regardless of the structure you choose, be sure to clarify it for your readers.

Research papers should be 20-pages (including cover page, table of contents, references, and appendices), double-spaced in 12-point font. They must be submitted to the CTE Office in person or by on-campus mail. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. All submissions should include your name, department, building code, student ID number, as well as contact information so that CTE staff can contact you when your project has been marked.

Evaluation of Research Papers

CTE staff will use the following heuristic when assessing your research paper. For your research paper to be accepted, the marker should be able to respond positively to all of the questions posed. To decrease the need for a revision, apply this heuristic to your research paper before submitting it:


  • Is the topic focused enough to be covered adequately within the space of the paper
    (i.e., 20 pages, double spaced, 12-point font)?
  • Does the paper have an apparent and easy-to-follow structure?
  • Does the writer demonstrate an adequate awareness of the key research literature surrounding the topic and refer to about 10 scholarly sources?
  • Does the writer explain key concepts clearly and in sufficient detail, taking into account the general audience (i.e., CUT participants)?
  • Does the writer provide reasonable applications of the concepts and offer his or her original ideas and analysis where appropriate? Is the writer’s position on the topic clear?
  • Does the writer use sentences that are well formed and appropriately varied in length and style?
  • Is the paper generally free of spelling, typographical, and grammatical errors?
  • Does the writer use APA referencing style appropriately and consistently?

All work may be resubmitted once if not accepted on the first submission. If revisions are required, they must be received in the CTE Office by the last working day of the last month of the term in which the original document was submitted. The original research paper must be submitted along with the revised one. Failure to submit a revision of the research paper within the time limit, OR failure of a resubmitted research paper, will result in removal from GS 902.

Course Details:
         Research Project
              Research Project Topics and Process                   
              Option 2: Mini-Workshop and Supporting Documentation
              Option 3: Research Poster and Supporting Documentation
              Scheduling and Format of Oral Components
          Teaching Dossier