After you have analyzed your data it is time to report your findings. There are many ways to publish your work. Common examples are publishing in scholarly journals or presenting at scholarly venues. It is important to note that you cannot publish or present your findings unless you have the proper approval (IRB or IACUC). Working with your mentor will be a vital aspect of publishing or presenting.
Reporting, publishing, and presenting the findings of your work is important in order to:
UVU also has many journals that students are encouraged to publish in.
The first step towards reporting your work is to create a product that shows what your research is about. This is commonly done through scholarly articles or scholarly presentations. There are many undergraduate research programs that accept and publish undergraduate articles. To review a complete list of undergraduate research journals visit the Council on Undergraduate Research website.
It can be difficult to know how to write a research paper or article. However there are many resources that can help you to construct and produce scholarly work. Helpful resources are your mentor, faculty, the UVU Writing Center, and the OARS office. It is important to know which writing format your work should be written in. Common formats are MLA, SAS, APA, and Chicago. When creating and reviewing your work make sure that your scholarly articles include the following sections:
Every discipline has multiple undergraduate research conferences that you can attend. It is important that you speak with your faculty mentor to know which conference match your research’s field of study. Don’t be afraid to think out of the box or apply to new conferences. Each publication and presentation will add to your experience and resume. It is important to understand that if you do apply to a conference you are sending the message that you intend to go if you are accepted. Make sure to check dates and locations before submitting your application.
Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research (UCUR) and National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) are two common undergraduate research conferences. They span across all disciplines and occur annually. With NCUR you can also publish your results. It is important to be up to date with deadlines and application requirements. UCUR’s application deadline is in late October/early November. The conference is usually held in February. NCUR’s application deadline is late November/early December, and the conference is usually held in April.
Presentation formats differ across conferences, however presentations and poster sessions are the most common ways of presenting. Be sure to check with your conference about specific details for your presentation.
Presentations are usually between 10-60 minutes long, and are given in front of other conference attendees. The outline for the type of presentation that you will give will differ depending on the conference being attended, but many presenters use PowerPoint for their presentations. It is also a good idea to have handouts for attendees. Sometimes there will be a question and answer session after your presentation. This can be intimidating, however your faculty mentor can help to make sure that you are prepared. Practice your presentation several times before the conference. This will insure that your presentation meets the time requirement. It is best to practice in front of a group of people, asking for feedback upon completion. If you have technology needs check with the conference organizer.
Poster sessions occur in a show floor room and usually last 30-90 minutes. You will prepare a poster that summarizes your research methods and outcomes. It is important that you make your poster engaging and interesting. It is a good idea to use colors on your posters because they are eye catching. During the entire session make sure that you or someone form your group is standing by the poster and can discuss it with anyone that visits. Prepare handouts for poster visitors to take home with them. The conference organizer will tell you the appropriate dimensions for the poster and any special instructions. Make sure your poster can be hung up with push pins and rolled up into a tub for easy transportation. It is also a good idea to bring tape and push pins in case the conference does not supply them. The campus copy center (CS 101G) or an off campus copy shop can help you print a large poster.
Professional dress. For specific details consult your faculty mentor.
