1. Student Research Conference 2019
Submitting a Research Conference Proposal

2. The Student Research Conference
A student-led conference
Share, practice, present, learn
Format is similar to most professional conferences
Simultaneous sessions throughout the day
Several different ways to participate
This year’s conference theme: The Multiplicity of Research: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of All Students
Students from many schools may participate
Other schools at Harvard
Many students from other universities

3. Choosing a topic
The conference is a forum for all types of research related to education
Quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods
Pilot studies are fine
Preliminary or interim results are welcome
Reviews of theories, issues or policies
Ideas leading up to research proposals
Research-based programs or curricula

4. Presentation formats Individual papers (panel sessions)
Presentations of research results
Will be placed in panels with other papers
Multiple authors or teams are okay
Presentations, questions, discussion
Roundtable discussions
Will be grouped with others to form a table
Brief presentations, extensive discussion
Good for preliminary results, work in progress, etc.
Poster sessions
Presented along with many others

5. Panel sessions / Roundtable discussions!
Right: A panel presentation about writing development
Left: Professor Harris is helping out at a roundtable discussion.

6. Another panel presentation
Here is an example of a “pre-formed panel” where the presentations were on a common theme and the students requested to be put together.

7. The poster session!

8. Poster examples : Fancy poster examples

9. Poster examples : A basic poster example

10. Writing a conference proposal
Proposals are brief! You must be concise.
Title (no more than 100 characters)
Abstract (100 words)
Proposal (500 words total, 100 words for each of 5 sections)
A good proposal will have:
A connection to existing or related research
A clear statement of the problem and/or research question(s)
A description of the study design and research methods
A hint at the findings or anticipated results
Implications for research, theory or practice

11. 1. Set the context for your study
Conceptual background for your work
Relate your work to other studies or literature
Identify the main issues or ideas you will address
Include some citations
Show that you have done some homework

12. 2. Clear statement of your topic
What is the topic or project you will be presenting?
What research questions will you address?
State at least one research question
Or state a problem or position statement
Keep this simple and clear

13. 3. Design and methods Type of research? What data will you use?
Pilot study, literature review, case study, policy analysis, ethnography, intervention, synthesis of research or theory, an explication of a theory
What data will you use?
Interviews, observations, questionnaires, secondary data from other studies
What methods will you use?
For collecting data
For analyzing data
For empirical studies: describe analyses, comparisons, etc.
For literature reviews or theoretical papers: what is the argument, and how will you address other perspectives and counter arguments?

14. 4. Findings / Conclusions
Preliminary findings or conclusions
Anticipated findings or predictions

15. 5. Discussion and implications
How will your findings contribute to the field?
Link your work and your anticipated findings back to the literature and your research questions
What implications might there be?
For further research
For theory
For policy
For practice

16. Writing a conference proposal (A summary)
A good proposal will have:
Research context/literature review: A connection to existing or related research
Research question(s)/ Problem statement: A clear statement of problem and/or research questions
Methods: A description of the study design and research methods
Findings/ Conclusions: A hint at the findings or anticipated results
Implications: Conclusions and implications

17. Presenting a research-based program/ curriculum?
A good proposal for these proposals will have:
Research context/literature review: A connection to existing or related research
Research question(s)/ Problem statement: A clear statement of problem and/or goal of the program
Methods: Theory of Action behind the program
Findings/ Conclusions: Summary of the content and/or innovation for the program
Implications: Implications of the program, limitations, future directions

18. Criteria for evaluation of proposal
A committee of students will review the proposals
Blind review process
They will look for the five elements!
Follow the recommended outline!
Time and space are limited, so you may be assigned to a presentation format that was not your first choice
Notification by mid-February

19. Getting help Check the Student Research Conference resources:
Web site:
Also:
Talk with others about your idea
Ask faculty members and other students

20. See you at the conference on
Good Luck!
Proposals must be submitted via the SRC website:
Proposals submissions will open on Friday, December 14, 2018
Deadline is Friday, February 1, 2019 at 11:59pm
Work on drafting your proposal ahead of time!
Select the format (poster, roundtable, panel)
Then just fill in:
Title (no more than 100 characters)
Abstract (100 words)
Proposal (500 words): Context, RQs, Methods, Findings, Implications
See you at the conference on
Monday, March 11th, 2019