LIBERTY UNIVERSITY TABLE OF CONTENTS Section I: Executive Summary ................................................................... 1 Section II: Process Used to Develop the QEP ........................................... 3 QEP Topic Selection Process ................................................................................ 3 QEP Planning Process .......................................................................................... 3 Section III: Identification of Topic ............................................................ 5 Liberty University Profile ........................................................................................ 5 Students ..................................................................................................... 5 Faculty ....................................................................................................... 6 Mission, Purpose, and Strategic Plan ......................................................... 6 Broad-Based Participant Feedback ....................................................................... 6 Topic Proposals ......................................................................................... 6 Focus Groups ............................................................................................ 7 Research Surveys ................................................................................................. 7 Research and Scholarship Survey (RSS) ................................................... 7 Research Training Environment Scale – Revised (RTES-R) ...................... 9 Review of Institutional Data ................................................................................... 10 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) ....................................... 10 Faculty Research & Scholarship Survey ................................................................ 11 Identifying Curricular and Co-Curricular Existing Research Opportunities .............. 11 Existing Curricular Opportunities Supporting Student Research ................. 11 Existing Co-Curricular Opportunities Supporting Student Research ........... 12 Final QEP Topic Selection ..................................................................................... 13 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 14 Section IV: Desired Student Learning Outcomes ...................................... 15 Identification of University Goals ............................................................................ 15 Key Definitions: Inquiry, Research, and Scholarship .............................................. 15 Student Learning Outcomes .................................................................................. 15 Actions in Support of the University Goals and QEP Student Learning Outcomes . 16 Student Dissemination of Research and Scholarship…………………………………17 Section V: Literature Review and Best Practices ..................................... 19 A Need for a Focus on Research and Scholarship................................................. 19 Undergraduate Research Curriculum Framework .................................................. 19 The Benefits of a Research and Scholarship Focused QEP .................................. 21 Best Practices for Developing Liberty University’s QEP ......................................... 22 Literature Supporting the Inclusion of the SLO #1 ...................................... 22 Literature Supporting the Inclusion of the SLO #2 ...................................... 23 Literature Supporting the Inclusion of the SLO #3 ...................................... 24 Dissemination: a QEP Objective ............................................................................ 25 Supporting Faculty and Building Research Infrastructure....................................... 26 Technology Supporting Faculty Engagement of Students in Research and Dissemination ........................................................................................................ 26 Table of Contents i | P a g e LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Section VI: Actions to be Implemented to Achieve Goals and SLOs ........ 27 University Goal 1: University Infrastructure ............................................................ 27 Action 1.1: Establish Center for Applied Research & Scholarship (CARS) . 27 Action 1.2: Establish Collaborative Relationships across the University ..... 28 University Goal 2: Faculty Training ........................................................................ 30 Action 2.1: Provide Faculty Development and Recognition ........................ 30 Faculty Development Focused on Successful Engagement with QEP Student Learning Outcomes................................................... 31 Faculty Recognition ........................................................................ 31 University Goal 3: Curricular and Co-Curricular Opportunities Supporting Student Success in Achieving QEP SLOs .......................................................................... 31 Curricular Actions ....................................................................................... 32 Action 3.1: Develop Inquiry 101 ...................................................... 32 Action 3.2: Develop Research 201 ................................................. 33 Action 3.3: Designate Research-Intensive Courses in the Disciplines ...................................................................................... 34 Co-Curricular Actions ................................................................................. 35 Action 3.4: Conduct an Annual Research Week ............................. 35 Action 3.5: Support Student Travel ................................................. 36 Section VII: Timeline ................................................................................. 37 Section VIII: Organizational Structure ...................................................... 39 Center for Applied Research & Scholarship (CARS) and Description of Director’s Position ................................................................................................. 39 Associate Director ...................................................................................... 39 Administrative Assistant ............................................................................. 40 Graduate Student Assistant ....................................................................... 40 Undergraduate Student Intern .................................................................... 40 CARS Advisory Board and Committees ..................................................... 40 Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies ................................................... 41 Collaborative Partnerships ..................................................................................... 42 Section IX: Resources ............................................................................... 43 University Infrastructure ......................................................................................... 43 Faculty Development ............................................................................................. 43 Curricular and Co-Curricular .................................................................................. 43 Curricular ................................................................................................... 44 Co-Curricular ............................................................................................. 44 Assessment ........................................................................................................... 44 Section X: Assessment ...................................................................... 47 Student Learning Outcome Assessment ................................................................ 50 Direct Assessment: Timeline and Plan ....................................................... 50 Baseline Years: Year 0 and Year 1................................................. 50 SLO #1: Inquiry 101 Baseline Data ..................................... 51 SLO #2: Research 201 Baseline Data ................................ 52 ii | P a g e Table of Contents LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SLO #3: Research-Intensive Course Baseline Data ............ 52 Treatment Years: Year 2–Year 5 .................................................... 53 Analysis of Curricular Assessment Data ......................................... 54 Collection and Storage of QEP Curricular Assessment Data .................................................................................... 55 Direct Assessment Metrics ............................................................. 55 QEP Indirect Assessments .................................................................................... 57 The RSS, RTES-R, and the NSSE ............................................................. 57 University Alumni Survey ........................................................................... 57 Assessment of QEP Goals #1 and #2 .................................................................... 57 CARS Effectiveness ................................................................................... 58 Faculty Professional Development Survey ................................................. 58 Continuous Program Review ...................................................................... 58 References ................................................................................................