Honors Thesis/Project Service Learning:
Honors College 499.82 Senior Honors Project
1-3 Credits
Andrea Vernon
Davidson Honors College 015
243-5159
andrea.vernon@mso.umt.edu
Office Hours: Please call for an appointment
Purpose:
The service learning senior honors project provides students with an in-depth
applied research experience conducted, in part, by connecting community service
experience, a research question, and learning through active reflection. The service learning
Honors Thesis is an optimum opportunity for students to explore areas of interests, potential
careers, and active citizenship. By targeting research to address identified needs in the
community and on campus, students gain first-hand understanding of social, environmental,
and/or economic issues our society faces, and the campus and/or community benefit from
research findings and recommendations.
Service Learning is a method of teaching and learning in which students, faculty and
community partners work together to enhance student learning by applying academic
knowledge in a community-based setting. Student work addresses the needs of the
community, as identified through collaboration with community or tribal partners, while
meeting instructional objectives through faculty-structured service work and critical reflection
meant to prepare students to be civically responsible members of the community. At its best,
service learning enhances and deepens students’ understanding of an academic discipline
by facilitating the integration of theory and practice, while providing them with experience that
develops life skills and engages them in critical reflection about individual, institutional, and
social ethics.
Objectives: The following course objectives will be achieved through the service learning
experience (the hours spent serving with an organization) and the applied research that
supports the service. Course objectives will be demonstrated during reflection discussion
sessions and in the final applied research paper.

To identify a research question relevant to meeting identified needs of the campus
and/or larger community.

To develop a research protocol drawing upon knowledge from the student’s major or
minor field of study and carry out the research project to completion.

To provide students the opportunity to think critically about their research topic, and
the meaning of service and community within the context of research and community
partnership.

To facilitate an in-depth applied research experience for students that connects their
professional, personal, and academic interests.

To instill an ethic of life-long service, community participation, citizenship, and civic
responsibility in all students.
Applied Research: Research is commonly defined as scientifically and methodically
investigating the unknown in order to provide information for solving problems. In applied
research, problems are identified and research is conducted to develop practical solutions to
problems. Applied research using service learning pedagogy implies that research will be
conducted in partnership with community/campus based organizations and practical
solutions will have some public benefit. In this course, students are required to identify
personal, academic, and professional goals they would like to meet through their applied
research experience. Students will then identify community or campus partners and work
collaboratively to fine tune the research question(s) based on community identified needs
and to inform the research protocol. The research process typically involves directly
volunteering service with a partner organization for a minimum of 15 hours.
Required Assignments:
1.
Reflection Discussions: Students are expected to meet with the instructor at least
three times throughout the semester to discuss the research process, see how things are
going, and make any necessary adjustments.
2.
Final Paper: The research paper should be 18 to 20 pages (minimum) in length and
include at least 7 citations from the literature. The paper should be typed, double spaced,
and include full citations of references used. Students will consult with the instructor about
proper format to use.
3.
Public Presentation: You must present the results of your project in a public arena.
This may include a presentation at a regional or national conference, or a local venue on or
off campus.
Senior Honors Project
Service Learning Research Paper Suggested Format
I.
Introduction
A. Statement of the problem
B. Background and purpose of the study
C. Research questions/hypotheses
II.
Review of the Literature
A. Relevant current research pertaining to the research questions/hypotheses
III.
Research Methodology
A. Data collection procedures
B. Data analysis procedures
IV.
Findings
A. Key findings from the data
B. Reflections on service learning and applied research
V.
Conclusion
A. Recommendations based on findings