What is meant by research, scholarship and creativity?
Research, scholarship and creativity may be defined broadly as any self-directed work that enables individual students or small groups of students to explore an issue of interest to them and to communicate the results to others. The projects involve inquiry, design, investigation, research, analysis, scholarship, discovery, application, writing and/or performance, depending on the topic. Each field may approach research, scholarship and creativity in its own way and with its own emphases.
Who is eligible to participate?
DMU faculty, staff and students.
Do abstracts need to be lab research only or are case reports/clinical work/literature reviews allowed to be submitted as well?
Abstracts may describe basic, educational or clinical research. Literature reviews will also be accepted. In addition, all abstracts should include mention of quantitative/qualitative data and analysis.
What is the deadline for abstract submission and do accept late entries?
The abstract submission deadline is stated on the symposium website. Due to the large number of submissions, late entries may not be accepted. Please contact the Office of Research at researchsymposium@dmu.edu if you are having problems submitting your abstract. To avoid last-minute technical issues with potential system overloads, make sure to submit your abstract well before the deadline.
Does my project need to be course-based work, or can it be my own independent work or part of a project I did elsewhere?
If it is your work, it is eligible for consideration. If your work involves collaboration with another individual(s), you must obtain their permission to present. If you are a student, you must work with a faculty mentor. If you are working with a DMU student, you may present your work together.
Does this need to be a presentation of a project created by a single author/researcher or can more than one person present collaborative projects?
Presentations may be either individually or collaboratively created. There is no limit to the number of authors involved in a project to be presented. However, due to time constraints no more than three students may make an oral presentation. Students must include a faculty mentor in their project development and presentation.
I am not the first author of the research. Can I still submit an abstract?
Abstracts for presentations can be submitted by other authors on the project. However, this must be discussed and agreed upon by all authors.
My project is still in progress. Can I still apply?
Posters and oral presentations may present findings of a work that is currently still in progress.
Can I apply more than once for different projects? Can more than one proposal by the same student be accepted?
Yes to both. Each proposal must have its own submission; however, if you wish to have a poster and give an oral presentation, you must submit the information twice. One submission for the poster and one submission for the oral presentation.
If I request to give an oral presentation, am I guaranteed a time?
No. There are a limited number of oral presentation time spots. The steering committee will review all submissions. The Office of Research will notify you of the status of your submission by the date specified on the symposium website.
Can I choose the time to present? What if I have a conflict?
No. You are unable to select your presentation time. If you have a conflict with your scheduled time, please contact the Office of Research at researchsymposium@dmu.edu
I have been selected to give an oral presentation. What time should I arrive?
Please sign in at the registration/sign-in desk upon arrival for the event and notify the desk staff that you are an oral presenter for the symposium. You are strongly encouraged to arrive for the symposium at least 30 minutes before the event’s starting time. You should plan to attend the entire session in which you are presenting. Additional instructions will be provided prior to the event day at the email address you provided when you registered for the event. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Research at researchsymposium@dmu.edu
Who judges the abstracts?
Abstracts submitted for oral presentation are evaluated by the steering committee and select speakers prior to the event. The poster abstracts are evaluated by faculty/staff judges during the event.
I am a student. How do I write an abstract? Can I get help with writing it?
You are strongly encouraged to work closely with your faculty mentor in writing and editing your abstract. Your faculty mentor may be willing to look over your abstract in advance and offer help. You may also consult the symposium website for additional resources. Here is an example abstract: View an Abstract Example.
What do I do if something happens to my project between now and the day of the symposium— for example, if I change my focus or title, or I do not get as far as I had hoped?
The unexpected is to be expected with research! Unless something major happens that would prevent you from completing your project, you do not need to inform the Office of Research. If in doubt, consult your faculty mentor.
Can I present if I do not have an IRB (Institutional Review Board) or IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) approval and my project involves (respectively) human or animal subjects?
If your project involves human or animal research, you must have obtained such approval, unless you are clearly presenting your work as a proposed project and make it clear that absolutely no research has yet been conducted. Such criteria would be met only in the poster sessions; anyone giving an oral presentation on a project involving human or animal research must have an IRB or IACUC approval. For questions, please contact the DMU Office of Research at researchsymposium@dmu.edu
Can I invite people to attend?
The symposium is only open to DMU faculty, staff and students to attend in-person. However, posters can be viewed online (add link). The keynote address and/or oral presentations can be viewed via zoom.
Is there a fee associated with the educational activity?
Please refer to the symposium website.
What should I wear?
Attire is business casual. Jeans are highly discouraged.
How will I be updated as necessary about the activity?
All information will be sent directly to the email address associated with your registration submission. Correspondence with attendees and participants will be from researchsymposium@dmu.edu
Is participating in the symposium something I could list on my graduate school application or résumé?
Yes. This would be under the "presentations" section of your résumé or curriculum vitae.
Do I have to stay for the presentation of the awards/recognition ceremony in order to receive an award?
While you do not need to stay for the presentation of awards, we highly encourage it as we take photos that are used for press releases and event promotion. In addition, you will be recognized in front of your faculty mentor, peers, and guests.
Will I receive additional information prior to the event?
Yes. Additional information and instructions will be provided to oral and poster presenters ahead of the symposium. Please check the email associated with your registration submission for communications from the Office of Research at researchsymposium@dmu.edu
