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Learning contracts : For Faculty
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FAQs
From “Research Learning Contracts: A useful tool for
facilitating successful undergraduate research experiences,” P.
Mabrouk, CUR Quarterly, Sept. 2003.
“Research learning contracts are generally concise (one to two
pages in length), typewritten documents that summarize the
undergraduate student’s responsibilities, learning objectives,
project evaluation criteria, and any deadlines – in short, anything
that helps the faculty sponsor and/or the student to define their
relationship so that it promotes student learning and research
productivity.” See Table and Figure 1 for assistance in creating
your own learning contract or try the links below for useful
models.
Some advice for using a learning contract:
- Make one early – the first week or so – to prevent
misunderstandings and get started on the right foot.
- Ask the student to write the first draft. This provides
project ownership for the student, helps in determining if the
student understands the project, and often results in more
attainable and timely milestones.
- Be flexible – some students may need more/less detailed
contracts, some milestones may change as the project progresses.
- Get contact information from the student – phone number,
cell, and e-mail, even class schedules – so that if something
happens, you can contact him/her.
- If a student is receiving a salary, include this information.
- If a student is receiving credit, include information on
requirements for a satisfactory grade.
- Several revisions may be necessary to accommodate all
expectations.
- The student and mentor should both sign the contract and both
should receive and keep a copy on file.
- Be sure to review the contract during and especially at the
end of the research experience to assess the expectations and
obligations put forth in the contract.
Table 1: List of Information Typically Found in a Research
Learning Contract
| Student’s name and contact information |
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Address
Cell Phone
E-mail
Date prepared |
| Job title |
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Ex. Professor’s assistant, research assistant or associate |
| Mechanism of employment |
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Pay (salary, work study)
Academic credit/thesis
Volunteer |
| Project Title |
| Goal(s) |
| Methods |
| |
Skills to be acquired / exercised (resume)
Knowledge / training to be acquired/ exercised
Instruments used |
| Work schedule |
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Responsibilities of student |
| |
|
Time / tasks
Safety considerations |
| Resources and assistance |
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Responsibilities of faculty advisor |
| Time / tasks |
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Other needed resources |
| |
|
Access to instrumentation, facilities, etc.
Purchase of reagents, materials, etc. |
| Outcomes |
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I will have accomplished objective X when I have made Y or measured
Z |
| Opportunities |
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Standard operating protocols (SOPs)
Publications |
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|
Any prerequisites |
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Publications |
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|
Any prerequisites |
| Assessment / evaluation plan |
| Signatures and dates |
Figure 1: Sample Research Learning Contract
[Student’s name]
[Advisor’s name]
[Date]
[Title of project]
UV-vis spectroscopy revealed a possible correlation between the
electronic structure of X and solvent polarity. I would like to
pursue additional characterization of X by examining their
structure with UV-vis, Raman, and FTIR methods during my work this
quarter. My objectives are:
- To learn and understand Raman and develop my experimental
expertise in this technique
- To learn and understand FTIR and develop my experimental
expertise in this technique
- To expand my understanding of UV-vis spectroscopy
- To characterize films of X prepared from aqueous,
non-aqueous, and supercritical carbon dioxide using our new
method and the above techniques
- To analyze my data and compare the results with my previous
UV-vis findings
I propose the following schedule:
| Time, hours /
week |
Week |
Planned Tasks |
| 8 |
[Month] A-B |
Synthesize films* |
| 8 |
[Month] C-D |
Run UV-vis and Raman on above films |
| 8 |
[Month]
E-F |
Continue Raman, prepare summary of
mechanism, instrumentation, and information obtained from Raman |
| 8 |
[Month]
G-H |
Run FT-IR on above films |
| 8 |
[Month]
I-J |
Continue FTIR, prepare summary of
mechanism, instrumentation, and information obtained from FTIR |
| 8 |
[Month]
K-L |
Analyze data and summarize results |
* Note: Synthesis may take longer or I may need to make more X
films throughout the quarter. I will need to synthesize at least 2
films (preferably 3) with each method in order to assure
repeatability.
[Advisor signature and date signed]
[Student signature and date signed]
Research contract form - please modify as needed
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