Student Inquiry and Research Project Details
The Progress Report
Near the end of the first semester of conducting SIR investigations, students document and reflect on their progress by preparing a progress report. A report of about one page in length is probably sufficient to discuss what has been accomplished and where the investigation is going. It should include a discussion of problems that have been encountered, and the direction that the investigation has gone because of them. Do these problems change the project's focusing question? Additions to the bibliography should be noted in the progress report.
The report should include any writings, creative pieces, data and analysis, etc. that document progress. A well-maintained journal should facilitate the writing of the progress report. The progress report should also address any deficiencies in the original proposal through updates such as a completed bibliography, a refined focusing question, and so forth.
It is anticipated, for students who have active engagement in the investigation, that the progress report will take less than an hour to complete. Included with the report should be the following pages from your journal: the first page; the last page, and one other representative page.
A progress report might include/address the following items:
- Revised/extended bibliography
- What has been accomplished/where the project is going
- What learning has occurred
- Problems encountered and where they lead the project
- Rationale for a change in the project's focusing question
- Investigation needs
- Other thoughts and comments
Students should discuss the report with their advisor and have it signed by the advisor before the student turns the progress report in to the SIR coordinator.