Initial Publication Date: November 2, 2022
Preview the types of questions and outcomes assessed in EvaluateUR-CURE
See E-CURE Outcome Categories and Components for a comprehensive list of measured outcomes.
To compare outcomes across different programs (EvaluateUR, EvaluateUR-CURE, and Evaluate-Compete), see the full Outcomes table.
Student Pre-Research Open-Ended Questions
Before beginning independent research projects, students will respond to a series of open-ended questions about their experiences, interests, and expectations for the research.
Examples of these questions include:
- Have you ever conducted research (independently or as part of another course)? If so, please briefly describe the experience.
- What would you do if you encountered an unexpected problem or setback on your project and it was not obvious how to proceed?
- Please describe your current academic and work career plans. How will this project be relevant to those plans?
Assessment Questions
Before and during/after the research, students and their mentors assess the following student outcomes on a 5-point scale. Each outcome category in the list below is assessed by several different components.
Outcome Categories
Click to view components in each outcome category:
Example Assessment Questions: Ability to deal with obstacles
- Is not discouraged by setbacks or unforeseen events and perseveres in when challenges are encountered.
5-Always 4-Usually 3-Often 2-Seldom 1-Not yet
- Shows flexibility and a willingness to take risks and try again.
5-Always 4-Usually 3-Often 2-Seldom 1-Not yet
- Trouble-shoots problems and searches for ways to do things more effectively.
5-Always 4-Usually 3-Often 2-Seldom 1-Not yet
Outcome Categories and Components
Communication:
- Understands and uses discipline-specific language
- Expresses ideas orally in an organized, clear, and concise manner
- Writes clearly and concisely using correct grammar, spelling, syntax, and sentence structure
Creativity:
- Displays insight about the topic being investigated
- Shows ability to approach problems from different perspectives
- Uses information in ways that demonstrate intellectual resourcefulness
- Effectively connects multiple ideas/approaches
Autonomy:
- Demonstrates an ability to work independently and identify when guidance is needed
- Accepts constructive criticism and uses feedback effectively
- Uses time well to ensure work gets accomplished
- Sets and meets project deadlines
Ability to Deal with Obstacles:
- Is not discouraged by unforeseen problems and perseveres when encountering challenges or setbacks
- Shows flexibility and a willingness to take risks and try again
- Trouble-shoots problems and searches for ways to do things more effectively
Intellectual Development:
- Recognizes that problems are often more complicated than they first appear
- Approaches problems with an understanding that there can be more than one right explanation or even none at all
- Displays accurate insight into the limits of their own knowledge and an appreciation for what isn't known
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving:
- Challenges established thinking when appropriate
- Looks for the root causes of problems and develops or recognizes the most appropriate corrective actions
- Recognizes flaws, assumptions and missing elements in arguments
Practice and Process of Inquiry:
- Demonstrates ability to formulate questions and hypotheses within the discipline
- Demonstrates ability to properly identify and/or generate reliable data
- Shows understanding of how knowledge is generated, validated and communicated within the discipline
Nature of Disciplinary Knowledge:
- Shows understanding of the way practitioners think within the discipline and view the world around them
- Shows understanding of the criteria for determining what is valued as a contribution in the discipline
- Shows awareness of important contributions in the discipline and who was responsible for those contributions
- Reads and applies information obtained from professional journals and other sources
- Is aware of professional societies in the discipline
Content Knowledge Skills/Methodology:
- Displays knowledge of key facts and concepts
- Displays a grasp of relevant research methods and is clear about how these methods apply to the research project being undertaken
- Demonstrates an appropriate mastery of skills needed to conduct the project
Teamwork/Collaboration:
- Demonstrates ability to manage conflict among colleagues
- Displays ability to share distribution of tasks
- Shows ability to work effectively in a team