How To Develop A Research Portfolio
Why Should You Have A Research Portfolio? It’s your Science Research resume Colleges love it! Increases organizational skills & time management Assist future research students It is required for the course
Required Material for Research Portfolio 5” three ring binder At least 17 dividers w/tabs for labels Lots and lots of paper! Printer & Ink
Required Content
1. Table of Contents First page of Portfolio Should include your name (large font) Your contact info. School & Program Date the portfolio was last updated List of Contents of Portfolio as divided by sections/tabs
2. Awards & Presentations List of presentations & awards Include dates/locations
3. Assessments Biweekly assessment sheets Non-research specific assignments graded & returned to you
4. Competitions Competition information Instructions Forms
5. Conferences Interested in attending or attended Name of conference Location Dates Brief description Important presenters Flier/agenda (if attended) Comments
6. List of Contacts/Mentors Any professional who may be able to help, or has helped you Full name Title Business address Phone number(s) Notes/comments
7. Contact Log Sheets Name Date Type ( /phone/text/personal) Details of conversation (print s) Most recent first
8. Abstract(s) of Your Research Include all revisions
9. General Interest Articles Related to your topic Entire article printed Separate citation including date, authors, etc.
10. Article Abstracts Journal Articles you haven’t read yet Journal Articles you’ve read but decided weren’t required for your research paper Related to your topic
11. Journal Article Summaries Summary w/cited reference first Entire Journal article RHSQ’d (highlighted & noted) Bulk of your portfolio
12. Vocabulary List Update frequently Research related vocabulary only
13. References Update frequently Use correct format
14. Review of Literature Include revisions w/comments
15. Materials & Methods Information about any specific equipment needed Detailed notes Survey questions Parental consent forms Safety precautions Include revisions w/comments
16. IRB/SRC Include approval coversheet w/comments Date of approval must be included!
17. Results Visuals (Graphs, tables, etc) Information on specific statistical analysis devices used Detailed notes Include revisions w/comments
18. Discussion & Conclusions Include revisions w/comments
Additional Sections Class syllabus Checklists Timelines Lab notebook excerpts (if available) Power Point presentations Resume Research related recommendation letters Research Essays Final Draft of Research Article
What not to include Notes from other subjects Recommendation letters- not research related Extra copies of materials Outdated references or vocabulary lists (keep newest versions only) Classroom notes from research (unless specific to research topic)
When to Update Your Portfolio BEFORE assessment meetings (not the day of!) Before meetings with mentors, colleges, or others of influence In June & September Approx. once a month