MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Audience: This document would be intended for students or faculty that are interested in starting their own research project here at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Context: As an R1 Doctoral University, UMD is host to many high level research opportunities and research activity. Professors conduct studies almost daily, while Honors Programs such as Gemstone encourage students to team with faculty and to conduct research experiments of their own. However, it isn't as easy as coming up with a project and finding a lab to work in. There's a lot of bureaucratic red tape and behind the scenes work that needs to be done before one can actually begin researching.

Purpose: The purpose of this document is to guide students (and perhaps faculty) to the necessary steps that they must take before they can begin working on their research projects. This includes any written approval they must gather, to how to raise funds and other fundraising opportunities here at UMD.

Document type/Design format: An Informative Guide

Citation Style: Referral Links and/or APA

K, fascinating idea! However, I would revise the audience to students looking to do research, rather than faculty. Faculty are guided by a number of other factors that tend to arise at departmental and college level.

You seem to want to focus on students who have a research idea and how they can explore that. Is this what you mean? Let me know, as this is a tricker prospect than, say, helping students take a more general interest and then finding the many labs on campus where they can find content they care about OR techniques.

Finally, you may want to write an upstart or Guerrilla Guide to unconventional research. For example, could a student approach a Maker Space/3-D printing center to volunteer and then propose research. Or, find funding (like the Sustainability Office) and then approach a lab.

Let me know your goals and audience.

Mb