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Research Tools
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM (INTR 91/ INTR 92)
The International Research Colloquium prepares students for conducting research--particularly on international topics while studying abroad. The Colloquium provides instruction, both classroom and Web-based, research training, and support for students to conduct research while abroad, to connect with the abroad community, and to prepare for substantive research production in the senior year and beyond. It consists of two courses INTR91 and INTR 92 team taught by IR Core Faculty, but open to all students. Learn more.
THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH NETWORK (IRN)
The IR Program, with funding and support from Tufts Academic Technology, launched the International Research Network (IRN), a web-based environment that promotes research on international topics by providing a virtual space for faculty and students to communicate, exchange resources, and collaborate on research projects anywhere in the world. Framed within the community of practice model, the IRN incorporates online tools, web-based instruction, and research resources to guide students through the research process and connect them to faculty and other students in a network that transcends distance. The IRN integrates study abroad and research opportunities to enable students to engage in the international community for the completion of high-quality capstone research projects in the senior year such as senior theses, Fulbright and scholarship applications, directed research projects, senior seminar papers, and postgraduate study proposals.
SENIOR THESIS EXCHANGE
The IR Program collaborates with the Departments of History and Political Science and the Peace and Justice Studies Program to offer a structured, but informal Thesis Exchange between thesis writers in these majors. Convened by an IR faculty member, the Exchange complements advising from a students thesis committee with faculty and peer coaching relevant to research and the process of thesis writing. The Exchange typically meets over refreshments monthly and provides students an opportunity to share their thesis experience and findings with a wider intellectual community. Details on meeting times are advertised via the IR E-Bulletin.
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD
While researchers aim to make positive contributions through scholarship, it is critical to make certain that there are no unintended negative consequences for people who may participate in, or be the subjects of, research. To ensure ethical research that does no harm and complies with Federal guidelines, universities employ an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The Tufts IRB for Social, Behavioral and Educational Research, managed by the Office of the Vice Provost, oversees research by students in IR. IR students proposing to conduct research that will involve persons (including interactions through interviews, surveys, etc. or identifiable private information) must submit their research for review by the IRB. Research projects including, but not limited to, all independent undergraduate research projects and honors theses are subject to this review. Your faculty advisor should be able to offer guidance on the IRB process. Please see the IRB website for more details: http://www.tufts.edu/central/research/IRB/main.htm.
Research 4 Success: Using the Library for Thesis and Capstone Projects
Tisch Library actively supports senior honors thesis research. Students are encouraged to meet with librarians individually in order to gain an increased awareness of relevant library resources, and learn how to use them as efficiently and effectively as possible. In addition, they offer an 8-week mini-course Research 4 Success: Using the Library for Thesis and Capstone Projects. Reference librarians, along with guest speakers, teach this credit, pass/fail course during which you will be introduced to the major research tools and search techniques specific to your subject area. For more information, please see the Tisch librarys listing, http://www.library.tufts.edu/tisch/ra/honorsTheses.htm/.
Political Science/IR Thesis Seminar
In Fall 2007, IR students will be invited to enroll in the cross-listed PS Thesis Seminar (PS 198). Like the thesis exchange, this seminar is a complement to the thesis writers work with her or his committee. The seminar will be of particular interest to students whose thesis topics embrace topics and research methodologies in the social sciences generally, and political science in particular. For more information, please see http://ase.tufts.edu/polsci/courses/fall07desc.asp#198 or contact Prof. Richard Eichenberg (richard.eichenberg@tufts.edu).
Undergraduate Research Publication Opportunities
Undergraduate Research Conference Opportunities
Opportunities may exist for students to both present their research and/or attend these conferences and conventions.
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