Faculty: Definitions of Research & Creativity

The following definitions will be used to guide all Catawba College Impact-Research & Creativity Program policies and practices. These definitions will be maintained to ensure there is consistency across all student engagement. These definitions have been created to be inclusive, ensure consistency across all programs, and account for the diversity across each student’s experience. The Catawba College Impact-Research & Creativity Program maintains best practices and policies consistent with the Council for Undergraduate Research .

• Research Work: An inquiry or investigation conducted by a student that makes an original intellectual contribution to the discipline.   

• Creative Work: An inquiry or investigation conducted by a student that makes an original creative contribution to the discipline.   

• Course-Based Research or Creative Work: A research or creative experience that is conducted as a graded requirement of a singular course. This experience must include didactic content and instruction on skills development applied by the student to complete their research or creative work. Student research or creative work should meet the learning objectives as outlined on the course syllabus. 

• Discovery-Based Research or Creative Work: A research or creative experience that is conducted outside of a singular course, but is directed by a faculty member, employed researcher, or research team. 

• Samples: The following are inclusive examples, they are not exclusive of potential research & creative opportunities.