UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM

HONORS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROJECT PROPOSAL - RESEARCH

OVERVIEW
Honors experiential learning projects are held to high standards. Each of these elements must be reflected in
your proposal and project:
1. Substantia C!nt"nt an# $uait% &it'in R"s"a()' T'"*"+
Your project should result in substantial learning through which you make progress towards meeting one or
more of the following research competencies:
Ability to frame and develop the research project uestion or problem.
!ossess a well"developed awareness of literature in the field.
#ormulate a theory$ problem$ or hypothesis for the proposed research project that is based on the
literature review.
Ability to identify and apply appropriate methodologies to design research study$ and collect and
analy%e data.
&isseminate the research results and knowledge gained.
&emonstrate awareness of key weakness'limitations of the research and provide guidance on the most
important and fruitful directions for future research on this topic.
Ability to think beyond the just completed research and articulate how your world view has been
impacted by the experience.
Questions to consider as you draft your proposal:
Have you provided a thorough overview of your project so that a reader with no background on this
topic would fully understand your project(s goals and what you intend to learn)
Have you provided specific examples of how your proposed plan meets multiple learning objectives
within the theme) Your proposal should draw explicit connections between your plan and the learning
objectives.
Have you described the intentional steps you(ll take to achieve the learning objectives)
Have you considered the full extent of this time commitment$ including planning$ executing and
reflecting on the project) &oes your proposal describe the quality of the hours spent on task *e.g.$ not
simply listing the hours'week you(ll spend on the project$ but explaining how you(ll spend those hours
meeting the learning objectives+)
Your work and learning should be euivalent to that of a ,"credit hour honors seminar. -hile the uality of the
experience and learning outcomes are most important$ many ask about the time commitment. As a general
estimate$ you should expect to engage in at least ./"0/ hours of direct contact and'or
research'reflection'documentation.
1. C!nn")ti!n t! A)a#"*i) G!as an# T'"!(i"s
Your project must be related to your academic development *major$ general education competencies$ or
professional interests+. You are expected to connect academic theories or concepts to your experiential learning
work. Your proposal should identify several theories or concepts you plan to explore in your project.
Questions to consider as you draft your proposal:
Have you identified and named specific theories'readings'courses you(ll use to gain background
knowledge for your project) *#or example$ a student proposing to study abroad would identify readings
and courses that would assist in understanding culture$ history$ economics and political issues of the host
country. 2r$ a student proposing to engage within a community would select readings and courses to
assist in better understanding the community(s background$ strengths$ and self"identified needs$ as well
as exploring particular models of community engagement.+
Have you discussed why this project is personally meaningful to you)
Have you explained how your academic and personal interests have led you to this project)
Have you explained how this project will contribute to your future academic and professional goals)
*3hat is$ why is this experience important for a student in your major)+
,. Initiati,"- In#"."n#"n)" an# C("ati,it%+
You are expected to demonstrate a degree of independence in the planning and design of an honors experiential
learning project. 4ome aspect*s+ of the project must be self"initiated. 4ome projects will involve a higher level
of independence than others. Additionally$ you are encouraged to identify creative and uniue topics$ activities$
learning methods$ solutions$ etc. for your project.
Questions to consider as you draft your proposal:
Have you taken ownership of some aspect of this project)
Have you explained your uniue contribution to this project) #or instance$ how is your participation on
this project different from others)
5. R"/")ti!n 0 1iss"*inati!n:
6eflection leads to higher"level conceptual learning and can take many forms including reflective essays$ well"
developed blogs$ journals$ and more. Your project must have a reflective component$ ideally completed
throughout the project. !lease also see the reflective essay prompt for research projects for a suggested
framework for reflection.
7n addition$ your work and learning must be disseminated publicly. Examples of dissemination include posting
on the 8niversity Honors pages in #acebook or 9inked7n$ a well"developed blog$ presentations$ poster displays$
published papers or articles$ video compilations$ websites$ scrapbooks$ etc.
6eflection and dissemination may be combined$ as in the case of a well"developed blog or published
paper'article.
7f you(re reuired to maintain an e"portfolio$ your project must be documented in your e"portfolio. !rojects are
not considered complete until documented in your e"portfolio.
Questions to consider as you draft your proposal:
-ill your planned reflection sufficiently balance recounting details and sharing your learning)
Have you articulated how you(ll reflect throughout the project)
&oes your reflection prepare you to share what you(ve learned to a relevant audience) 7t(s important to
consider how you(ll help others learn from your project.
.. A#,is!(+
!rojects must involve the guidance of a faculty or staff member$ mentor$ supervisor$ or other person with whom
the student can develop a base of knowledge and receive feedback.
0. 2u#3"t:
A budget is not reuired. However$ if you woud like to apply for an honors grant to support this project$ provide
a detailed budget listing all of your project"related expenses. 7f you will receive fudning from other sources$
indicate that in your budget.
UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM
HONORS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROJECT PROPOSAL 4ORM - RESEARCH
:omplete and submit this proposal in your e"portfolio *for those with i-ebfolio portfolios+ or email to
honors;uc.edu *if you do not have an e"portfolio in i-ebfolio+.
2asi) In/!(*ati!n
#ull <ame: =ames Avant 7>
8: 7& ?: @/,AB.BCC
8: Email: avantjv;mail.uc.edu
!hone: .B,",C."BD,D
:ollege: @c@icken :ollege of Arts and 4ciences
@ajor: <euroscience'Eiology'4panish
3itle of !roject: ::343 :ommunity Engagement 4cholars !rogram
Expected !roject 4tart &ate: =une BB$ 1/B1
Expected !roject End &ate: August BD$ 1/B1
P(!5")t In/!(*ati!n
1. P(!,i#" a b(i"/ !,"(,i"&6abst(a)t !/ %!u( .(!.!s"# '!n!(s "7."(i"ntia "a(nin3 .(!5")t.
F3his research opportunity is for the :enter for :linical and 3ranslational 6esearch and 3raining :ommunity
Engagement 4cholars program. 3he ::343 works support and educational needs of the entire clinical and
translational research community of the 8: Academic Health :enter *AH:+. 3he goals of the ::343
:ommunity Engagement :ore are to: improve relationships between academic researchers and community
membersG engage community physicians in research and translation of evidence"based practiceG and train
researchers in community"engaged research and educate community members in order to build capacity and an
understanding of the benefits and risks of research involvement.H 8http:''cctst.uc.edu'community9 8nder this
position 7 will be researching and identifying disparities and risk factors that have a direct correlation with
childhood obesity. 3he research position is housed within 7nnovations in :ommunity 6esearch$ involve data
entry and analysis and involve working with the 8: adult neuroscience program.
:. C"a(% stat" '!& "a)' !/ t'" /!!&in3 ""*"nts &i b" "7'ibit"# in %!u( &!(; 8("/"( t! t'" /i(st t&!
.a3"s !/ t'is #!)u*"nt &it' t'" /u #"s)(i.ti!n !/ &'at is "7.")t"# in "a)' !/ t'"s" a("as9.
B. 4ubstantial :ontent and Iuality within 6esearch 3heme
F3he :linical and 3ranslational 4cience Award *:34A+ was awarded to the :enter for :linical and
3ranslational 6esearch and 3raining *::343+ of the 8niversity of :incinnati$ :incinnati :hildren(s Hospital
@edical :enter and the :incinnati >eteran(s Administration on April B$ 1//A. 3he goals of the :34A
:ommunity Engagement :ore are to: improve relationships between academic researchers and community
members$ engage community physicians in research and translation of evidence"based practice$ and train
researchers in community"engaged research and educate community members in order to build capacity and an
understanding of the benefits and risks of research involvement. 3his is a community'translational research
position.H *'tt.+66))tst.u)."#u6)!**unit%+
3he position would be housed within 7nnovations in :ommunity 6esearch. 7nnovations is a wide"reaching
resource for educational and nonprofit organi%ations wishing to evaluate$ enhance and expand their capabilities
in the communities they serve. 3hrough partnerships with us$ these organi%ations gain the ability to assess their
programs$ the resources needed to better serve their clients and the opportunity to improve the uality of their
services. 3he position involves working with the 8niversity of :incinnati Hospital adult neuroscience program.
Here 7 will observe &r. Jissela in the <uero"intensive care unit at 8niversity of :incinnati Hospital to get more
immersed in my passion through a clinical medium. 3hrough this program 7 will be able to gain research based
networks with physician practices who come together to conduct a research study across their practices and
community agencies to help them with research projects.
7 begin my position at :incinnati :hildren(s Hospital @edical :enter on =une B1$ 1/B1. 3he majority of
my research will be done through data entry and analysis from information and feedback we receive from
program participants with occasional visits with another team to various Y@:A branches. At these branches we
will holds programs that introduce fruits and vegetables to these young children that they may not have access
to at home. 3hese produce items include apples$ broccoli$ coli flour$ carrots$ tomatoes$ celery$ strawberries$ and
grapes. 3he purpose of the study is to further identify the disparities related to childhood obesity. 7dentifying
factors like ethnicity$ family income$ child eating habits$ and community engagement can help to further
validate our nation(s need to become more aware of health and institute ways to increase health in today(s
youth.
1. :onnection to Academic Koals and 3heories
6eadings and Articles !ertaining to 6esearch
Eethell$ :.$ 4impson$ 9.$ 4tumbo$ 4.$ :arle$ A.:.$ L Kombojav$ <. *1/B/+. <ational$ 4tate$ And 9ocal
&isparities 7n :hildhood 2besity. Health Affairs, 1A$ , ,5C.
&aniels$ 4.6. *1//0+. 3he conseuences of childhood overweight and obesity. The Future of Children,
B0$ 5C"0C.
&elva =.$ 2(@alley !.@.$ =ohnston 9.&. *1//0+. 6acial'Etnic and 4cioeconomic 4tatus &ifferences in
2verweight and Health"6elated Eehaviors Among American 4tudents: <ational 3rends BAD0"1//,.
Journal of Adolescnt Health, ,A *5+$ .,0".5..
4tradmeijer$ @.$ Eosch$ =.$ Joops$ -.$ 4iedell$ =. *1///+. #amily functioning and pyschosocial
adjustment in overweight youngsters. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 1C$ BB/"BB5.
3hese readings and articles have been given to me to use as a reference for identifying disparities linking to
childhood obesity among children in Jindergarten through third grade.
2besity is a growing problem in our country and this is especially an issue children. 3his is because
they are going through a very critical thinking period in their development. 3hey are learning what they like and
do not like and these decisions can cause lifelong choices and habits. 4o$ by tackling this early and introducing
more fruits and vegetables as well as exercise$ we can cause these children to begin to develop good and healthy
eating habits.
@y interest in neuroscience came from an incident in early 1//A. 7 became ill and missed about two
weeks of school due to excessive vomiting and severe headaches. 3he headaches were so severe that it caused
me to vomit continuously for a week. 3he smallest amounts of light and sound sent shockwaves through my
body. 7 was completely miserable. &uring my stay at :incinnati :hildren(s Hospital$ 7 was given a drug called
Copa!ine for my headaches after which 7 spent the night at the hospital. About 15 hours after 7 was released
from the hospital$ my tongue began to swell and my jaws developed an abnormal shift$ as if 7 were having a
stroke. 7 was rushed to the hospital and sedated. -hen 7 awoke from the sedation$ the doctors told me 7 had a
dystonic reaction to the Copa!ine$ which is a state of abnormal muscle tone *similar to dystonia+$ produced as
a side effect of certain antipsychotic medications. 3he initial trip to the hospital eventually led to a diagnosis of
migraine headaches. #rom this traumatic and life"changing experience 7 developed a passion for <euroscience. 7
want to find a cure to eliminate these conditions as well as improve the uality of life for my future patients.
Even though the main focus of this research is not directly related to neuroscience$ any research
experience helps build problem solving skills as well as exposes me to the environment of medicine 7 want to
pursue. <ot to mention$ medical schools want applicants to have had diverse research experience.
,. 7nitiative$ 7ndependence and :reativity
As a researcher$ 7 will be working on average forty hours per week and by the end of my term 7 will have
compiled and analy%ed data to produce and academic poster. :ompared to other research programs$ instead of
being restricted to a laboratory for the duration of my research$ 7 will be reuired to go out into the community
and collaborate with community schools( members$ and leaders. 3his will increase the level of education and
awareness about obesity and risk factors among children in the community. 7 will also have the opportunity to
observe &r. Jissela in the <uero"intensive care unit at 8niversity of :incinnati Hospital
5. 6eflection L &issemination
6eflection is a tool that allows it(s user to effectively evaluate a past situation and actively respond to better
one(s self and ideas for the future. As a first year neuroscience major any opportunity 7 get to gain knowledge$
experience$ and insight in the field 7 am pursuing as well as gain research experiences outside of my career
interests. 7n order to effectively evaluate my reflection as well as allow this to be used as a resource for the
growth of others$ 7 will make my reflection available on through my learning portfolio$ research publications$
my blog *jamesavantiv.weebley.com+ and through any other medium the 8niversity Honors !rogram deems
appropriate.
.. Advisor*s+
&r. @onica @itchell$ !h&
:linical !sychologist$ &ivision of Eehavioral @edicine and :linical !sychology
Associate !rofessor$ 8: &epartment of !ediatrics
@onica.mitchell;cchmc.org
*.B,+"D/,".,D,
&r. Erett Jissela$ @&$ @4
!rofessor$ >ice :hair$ &ept. of <eurology
kisselbm;ucmail.uc.edu
*.B,+"5C."DC,/
&r. 9ori :rosby$ !sy&
Associate !rofessor of :linical !ediatrics
Associate !rofessor$ 8: &epartment of !ediatrics
9ori.corsby;cchmc.org
*.B,+"0,0"CC.0
0. Eudget
A budget is not applicable since 7 will receive compensation at the rate of MD.C. an hour as a summer
undergraduate researcher.