Participation Requirements
Liberty University undergraduate and graduate students can participate with the approval of a faculty sponsor, which is required. You will select your faculty sponsor when submitting your proposal, and that sponsor must approve your submission for inclusion in Research Week.
Presentation Options and Requirements
Researchers may present in one or more presentation modes. Click on the links below to learn more about that presentation option and its specific requirements.
- Poster Presentation (Students must present in person.)
- Oral Presentation (Students must present in person.)
- Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®) (Students must present in person.)
- Remote Oral Presentation (Remote presentations are for online students only.)
Research Categories
Researchers may present posters and/or oral presentations in one or more of these research categories. The rubrics judges will use to evaluate the presentations are listed below.
- Basic
Research in this area seeks to identify and develop a fundamental research question regarding the nature of one’s field of study (e.g., human behavior or genetic manipulations of E coli). These research studies successfully experiment with one or more manipulated variables and analyze the collected information to answer the research question. Typically, these studies will employ the experimental method and are often conducted in a controlled laboratory environment. Judging Rubric
- Applied
Applied research studies aim to better understand or solve real-world problems. These studies employ quantitative, qualitative, or mixed research designs to answer a research question/problem. They often utilize quasi-experimental, correlational, qualitative, or case study research designs and will lead to implications for practical application. Alternatively, these studies use discipline-appropriate research methods to define a problem and explore approaches to the problem to ultimately provide a possible solution or partial solution to the problem. Judging Rubric
- Theoretical
Theoretical research provides a synthesis of guiding theories and extant empirical literature, artifacts, or other evidence to develop new frameworks for future research. Theoretical proposals may include basic, applied, textual/ investigative, and/or creative and artistic research. Research has not been conducted in this category, but suggestions for future areas of research should be included. Judging Rubric
- Textual or Investigative
Research that investigates texts, artifacts, and documents without changing any variables. Typically, this research critically engages texts, artifacts, or documents to prove a thesis, association, pattern, relationship, or previously unobserved significance. Sample fields may include History, Philosophy, English, Biblical Studies, Humanities, Theology, Journalism, Law, and Government. Judging Rubric
For more questions and guidance on Research Week, please review Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us at researchweek@liberty.edu.