Preparing Your Research or Scholarly (ROSA) Application September 2017 Research, Engagement, and Graduate Studies Adrienne Chan, PhD

Agenda Introductions Research or Scholarly? Principles for Research Option and Scholarly Activity Criteria of Merit Application Review Process The Application Where things go wrong Tips and advice

Research or Scholarly? A proposal is RESEARCH if it: follows recognized research methodologies generates results which are significant to the discipline Research includes, but is not exclusive to: extensive analytical literature review conducting a research project data analysis writing papers for peer reviewed publication as a result of a research project

Research or Scholarly? A proposal is SCHOLARLY if it is a substantial, creative project that: draws on the faculty member's existing scholarship produces results which benefit the university and its communities increases the faculty member's own expertise, or extends the application of the expertise into new areas. Scholarly activity includes, but is not exclusive to: writing an article based on a dissertation or thesis production of a scholarly artistic and/or creative work (e.g. theatre, art show) Scholarly activity is not intended to support long term scholarly and academic work.

Principles for RO & SA Four principles were developed by the Task Force to be consistent with UFV's legislative mandate and its strategic goals: Provide direct and meaningful learning opportunities for UFV students Applicable or relevant to the economic, social, cultural or environmental development and/or needs of the local region and the communities in it Supports the mandate to be innovative and entrepreneurial through bringing in revenue which enables other research, scholarship and learning activities Informs the mandate to deliver the best undergraduate education in Canada.

Process for RO & SA Applications will be assessed for scholarly merit. Then ranked according to the degree to which they meet one or more of the ranked principles. (The principles of prioritization will be applied in the ranked order – see Task Force document.)

Principle #1 Faculty scholarship which provides direct and meaningful learning opportunities for UFV students Students must be involved, contributing, and learning at multiple points in the study (i.e. in data collection, data entry, analysis, synthesis and/or presentation of results). This is about depth of work, not necessarily the number of students.

Principle #2 Faculty scholarship which is applicable or relevant to the social, cultural, economic, or environmental development and/or needs of the local region and/or its communities. Faculty scholarship is not 'geographically delimited’; rather, faculty will identify how it relates to, or informs, regional or community needs, aspirations or development. UFV acknowledges that it is situated on the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples.

Principle #3 Faculty scholarship which supports UFV’s mandate to be innovative and entrepreneurial through bringing revenue into the university which enables other research, scholarship, and learning activities. The program of scholarly work would have already obtained a seed grant, established grant, or a response of interest to their work from industry or a funder.

Principle #4 Faculty scholarship which informs the university's mandate to deliver the best undergraduate education. Faculty scholarship that: reflects broad interdisciplinary opportunities contributes to the scholarship of teaching and learning, and/or extends the application of the member’s expertise into new areas.

Criteria of Scholarly Merit Criteria are scored out of 10 points each. Project description and clarity of proposal Project commitment and requirement Significance or relevance of the project Project is feasible and demonstrates adequate planning

Criteria of Merit - Guidelines Project description and clarity of proposal: Research questions, scholarly goal, or hypothesis posed clearly Purpose, goals, outcomes or objectives clearly defined Philosophical and/or methodological approach understandable and clear

Criteria of Merit - Guidelines Project commitment and requirement: Proposal requires a time commitment that demonstrably exceeds that which can be accomplished as part of the applicant’s regular workload obligations Application shows that appropriate planning and preparation have been undertaken Activity is part of an emerging, developing or continuing program of work

Criteria of Merit - Guidelines Significance or relevance of project: Pedagogical, regional, entrepreneurial, or scholarly impact Scholarship clearly contributes to the applicant’s discipline(s), or area(s) of study Impact on the applicant’s own scholarly and/or pedagogical development

Criteria of Merit - Guidelines Project is feasible and demonstrates adequate planning: Feasible or realistic purpose, goals and objectives Activity or project has clear timeline of steps or stages in the research process Strong likelihood of successful completion of the activity or project

RO Review Process Advisory Committee Established Members sought from each Faculty area. Process Overview Meet to discuss review process (before receiving applications). Application Review & Ranking Each member reviews and scores independently using established criteria and principles. Scores/Rankings are collated. Full committee meets to discuss questions and those ranked low or missing information. Recommendations Make recommendations to the AVP Final Approval

SA Review Process Advisory Committee Established Cross section of faculty, JPDC Co-Chairs and AVP Process Overview Meet to discuss review process (before receiving applications) Application Review & Ranking Each member reviews and scores independently using established criteria and principles Scores/Rankings are collated Full committee meets to discuss questions and those ranked low or missing information Recommendations Final Approval

The Application Project Title Project Summary (250 words) Reference Information (2 references with expertise in the field) Project Description

B. Summary 250 words Answers: What are the overall purpose and goal? How does the project advance knowledge or scholarship? What is the rationale for the project (“so what?”)

D. Project Description Separate attachment - maximum 4 pages Written for a general academic audience

D. Project Description Objectives Methodology, Research Design, and Schedule of Activities Student involvement (if so, how are they involved?) Community relevance/ involvement Is there any social, cultural, economic, or environmental development taking place? Is there a potential impact on the needs of the region and our communities?

D. Project Description Timeline for activities Proposed outcomes, including: Significance of the research/ scholarly activity outcomes to the discipline or field (e.g. scientific, professional, artistic) Relevance or importance to the communities served by UFV Significance of the research/ scholarly activity as an innovative and/or entrepreneurial activity Likelihood of success as indicated by: the applicant’s previous experience rigour of the design and methodology

D. Project Description Relative importance of supporting the project with a course release based on any or all of the following:   Is part of or could lead to a larger, on-going program of work Enhances the faculty member’s future ability to obtain funding for related research Provides a student (s) an opportunity to be significantly involved in research (e.g. research assistant or in class) Exceeds the regular scholarly activities in which a faculty member is normally expected to be involved Is part of UFV’s mandate to deliver the best undergraduate education, (e.g. reflects broad interdisciplinary opportunities, contributes to the scholarship of teaching and learning, and/or extends the application of the member’s expertise into new areas)

D. Project Description Dissemination of Results Describe how you will disseminate the progress/results of your project (e.g. submission of an article to a peer reviewed journal, preparation of a manual for colleagues, etc.) Be specific and clear about dissemination (papers, reports, conference presentations, faculty presentations) There should be a clear description of the expected outcome on completion of the project, including information on the tangible form this outcome is expected to take.

Objectives - the details Defining the objectives of your project is the second most important thing to articulate (after purpose and goals) Objectives decide the topics that you will explore/examine Objectives shape the questions you ask, and guide your analysis and reports Review – are the objectives clear to others?

Objectives - the details Objectives often use verbs such as: explore, examine, define, understand, interpret, synthesize Identify some of your objectives (as they stem from your purpose and goals) Think about wording and clarity

Outcomes Proposed outcomes should be clear and unambiguous. What will the results be? (e.g. scientific, professional, artistic) Relevance or importance to the communities served by UFV. What tangible form will they take?

Where things go wrong Unclear purpose, goals, objectives, methods, outcomes Activities/ timeline do not suit the time release requested for the project (unrealistic for one term) Lack of detail Assuming that the reviewer of the application ‘knows’ what you are talking about

Tips and Advice Start now – do your prep work Think about the emphasis of your project Articulate /share with others – this helps with clarity Read the question on the application and answer the question Think about connections (to the field, discipline, your program, community, university).

Tips and Advice Be clear about dissemination ( papers, reports, conference presentations, faculty presentations). Pay attention to the needs of the reader / reviewer. You are writing this for a diverse audience. Make your case. You have to convince the advisory committee of your academic peers to fund/support you. What if you are not funded, does it make a difference?

Reporting back If successful, you will submit a final report at the conclusion of the project, describing the work undertaken during the release, and the outcomes in relation to the approved proposal and outcomes. Ensure that you report back. Reports are reviewed and may affect your ability to receive a release (or a grant) in the future.

Remember to… Add 2 page CV summary. If your CV is not included, your application is incomplete and will not be reviewed. Apply by the DEADLINE of October 31, 2017 Submit the applications to ROSA.Release@ufv.ca Find forms and other information posted at: ufv.ca/research/faculty/research-option--scholarly-activity/

Questions Contact us! Contact ROSA.Release@ufv.ca for all inquiries and for your submission. Our Office: Kelly.Tracey@ufv.ca Adrienne.Chan@ufv.ca Brad.Whittaker@ufv.ca (Brad can provide assistance in reviewing your application) Yvette.Fairweather@ufv.ca (Yvette can address questions about Research Ethics) Deborah.Block@ufv.ca