How To Develop A Research Portfolio

Why Should You Have A Research Portfolio?

• It’s your Science Research resume• Colleges love it!• Increases organizational skills & time

management• Assist future research students• It is required for the course

Required Material for Research Portfolio

• 5” three ring binder• At least 17 dividers w/tabs for labels• Lots and lots of paper!• Printer & Ink

Required Content

1. Table of Contents

• First page of Portfolio• Should include your name (large font) • Your contact info.• School & Program• Date the portfolio was last updated • List of Contents of Portfolio as divided by

sections/tabs

2. Awards & Presentations

• List of presentations & awards• Include dates/locations

3. Assessments

• Biweekly assessment sheets• Non-research specific assignments graded &

returned to you

4. Competitions

• Competition information• Instructions• Forms

5. Conferences

• Interested in attending or attended• Name of conference• Location• Dates• Brief description• Important presenters• Flier/agenda (if attended)• Comments

6. List of Contacts/Mentors

• Any professional who may be able to help, or has helped you

• Full name• Title• Business address• Email• Phone number(s)• Notes/comments

7. Contact Log Sheets

• Name• Date• Type (Email/phone/text/personal)• Details of conversation (print emails)• Most recent first

8. Abstract(s) of Your Research

• Include all revisions

9. General Interest Articles

• Related to your topic• Entire article printed• Separate citation including date, authors, etc.

10. Article Abstracts

• Journal Articles you haven’t read yet• Journal Articles you’ve read but decided

weren’t required for your research paper• Related to your topic

11. Journal Article Summaries

• Summary w/cited reference first• Entire Journal article RHSQ’d (highlighted &

noted)• Bulk of your portfolio

12. Vocabulary List

• Update frequently• Research related vocabulary only

13. References

• Update frequently• Use correct format

14. Review of Literature

• Include revisions w/comments

15. Materials & Methods

• Information about any specific equipment needed

• Detailed notes• Survey questions• Parental consent forms• Safety precautions• Include revisions w/comments

16. IRB/SRC

• Include approval coversheet w/comments• Date of approval must be included!

17. Results

• Visuals (Graphs, tables, etc)• Information on specific statistical analysis

devices used• Detailed notes• Include revisions w/comments

18. Discussion & Conclusions

• Include revisions w/comments

Additional Sections

• Class syllabus• Checklists• Timelines• Lab notebook excerpts (if available)• Power Point presentations• Resume• Research related recommendation letters• Research Essays• Final Draft of Research Article

What not to include

• Notes from other subjects• Recommendation letters- not research related• Extra copies of materials• Outdated references or vocabulary lists (keep

newest versions only)• Classroom notes from research (unless specific

to research topic)

When to Update Your Portfolio

• BEFORE assessment meetings (not the day of!)• Before meetings with mentors, colleges, or

others of influence• In June & September• Approx. once a month