Research Sponsors

The Role of a Research Sponsor
Examples of Projects
How to Become a Research Sponsor
Supporting Materials for Sponsors

How to Become a Research Sponsor

The SARP is an integrated learning experience that requires students to apply skills and knowledge developed through previous coursework as they tackle real problems in their fields of study. The SARP requires students to investigate a question, conduct research, propose answers, present results in both oral and written form, and take one significant step toward disseminating their information or implementing a solution to a problem. The SARP process is spread over three courses (SARP I, II, III) during a student’s junior and senior years.

SARP Sponsor Details

• Sponsors are needed to help identify authentic questions or problems that Sterling students can research.
• Sponsors are individuals or organizations that plan to utilize students’ research results.
• Sponsors must have interest and professional experience in the student’s research area..
• Sponsors and students work in collaboration to identify the research needed. Faculty work with students to identify the specific research. Sponsors are not involved in conducting the research.
• Students contribute to the goals of Sponsors while gaining real-life experiences.
• Sponsors are not required to fund students’ research/work.
• Each Sponsor’s level of involvement will be different.
  

Other SARP Information

• Students may work in groups or as individuals.
• The SARP is not a thesis; the required implementation step is unique and provides an experiential hands-on component.
• A faculty member, chosen as the student’s SARP Advisor, works closely with the student to structure the research process and guide project design.
• Members of a student’s SARP Committee, which consists of Sterling faculty, contribute expertise and edit research proposals and final papers.

The SARP Process

• Students work with a SARP Advisor to identify a research topic. Sponsors provide research suggestions to Sterling College’s Career Resource Center. Research ideas are entered into an on-campus SARP database. Students then contact a potential sponsor who might be interested in their project.
• Students develop a focal question or statement of problem and a complete written proposal including a literature review in a course called SARP I.
• After the proposal is approved a Statement of Agreement is completed and signed by the student, SARP Advisor, and the Sponsor.
• Research project plans are developed with the SARP Advisor who supervises the project.
• In SARP II, the student completes the project by researching background subjects, collecting data, writing a report, and implementing at least one step.
• The research project is assessed by a faculty committee.
• The research project culminates in a public presentation to the Sterling College community and a paper is submitted to the college library. This final course is called SARP III.
• Students earn a total of fifteen credits upon successful completion of SARP I, II and III.