Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of "undergraduate research" is presented at the Showcase?
Is the Showcase open to visual and performing arts students?
Are McNair and RAMP scholars required to participate in the Showcase?
I am still in the early stages of my research or creative project. Am I eligible to present at the Showcase?
I am working on two different research or creative projects. Can I apply to present them both?
Do I need to submit any kind of paper copy as part of my application?
I am not sure how to begin writing a project objective or a project abstract, summary, or creative statement. Where can I find assistance?
When will I find out if my project has been accepted to the Showcase?
What happens if major developments occur in my research project between the time I apply and the Showcase date?
Can I invite friends, family, and other faculty to attend the Showcase?
If any of your questions were not answered in this section, please e-mail us at OUR@mail.ucf.edu with your question(s) or call the Office of Undergraduate Research at (407) 823-3125.
Q: What kind of "undergraduate research" is presented at the Showcase?
A: We invite research projects from all disciplines and encourage students to submit creative work for the Showcase as long as it has an original, scholarly aspect to it. For all submissions, students must be working under the guidance of a UCF faculty mentor who can speak to the quality of the research or creative endeavor; this includes students working on faculty research as well as students working on their own research under the supervision of faculty. Capstone projects and Honors in the Major theses are good examples of the second type of student research. The Showcase is not an appropriate venue for "position papers," where students are presenting opinions rather than scholarly research or creative projects.
Generally speaking, most research is characterized by the evidence-based exploration of a question or hypothesis that is important to those in the discipline in which the work is being done. A student, then, must know something about the research methodology of a discipline (what constitutes "evidence" and how it is obtained) and how to decide if a question or line of inquiry that is interesting to the student is also important to the discipline.
Research conducted at other institutions usually qualifies for the Showcase; please contact the Office of Undergraduate Research to confirm eligibility.
Q: Is the Showcase open to visual and performing arts students?
A: Yes. We encourage visual and performing artists to submit applications to participate in the Showcase.
Q: Are McNair and RAMP scholars required to participate in the Showcase?
A: Yes. All McNair and RAMP scholars must apply to present at the Showcase and are required to participate as part of their scholarship responsibilities.
Q: I am still in the early stages of my research or creative project. Am I eligible to present at the Showcase?
A: You do not need to have already completed your research or creative project to be considered. Some students who participate in the Showcase present partial findings or progress reports rather than formal conclusions.
Q: I am working on two different research or creative projects. Can I apply to present them both?
A: You may only be the primary author on one project each year. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Research with any questions.
Q: Do I need to submit any kind of paper copy as part of my application?
A: Yes. In addition to sending your Showcase application electronically to the Office of Undergraduate Research, you must print the Faculty Mentor Endorsement, have your faculty mentor SIGN this Endorsement, and return or fax the signed Endorsement to:
Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence
Office of Undergraduate Research
University of Central Florida
4000 Central Florida Boulevard
Computer Center II Room 209
Orlando, Florida 32816-1906
Fax: 407-823-5115
Q: I am not sure how to begin writing a project objective or a project abstract, summary, or creative statement. Where can I find assistance?
A: The Office of Undergraduate Research will hold workshops on Getting Ready to Present your Research which will discuss writing an abstract and objective statement. Additionally, we encourage you to take a look at the sample project objective and sample project abstract, summary, or creative statement.
Q: When will I find out if my project has been accepted to the Showcase?
A: We will begin notifying students of their acceptance via e-mail shortly after the February 20 deadline. Therefore, it is imperative that you provide us with your correct e-mail address, as well as the e-mail address of your faculty mentor.
Q: What happens if major developments occur in my research project between the time I apply and the Showcase date?
A: You are welcome to note those changes as you develop your final poster presentation. However, the project objective submitted with your application will be printed in the Showcase proceedings and cannot be amended after the February 20 deadline.
Q: Can I invite friends, family, and other faculty to attend the Showcase?
A: Absolutely! The more, the merrier.
