Undergraduate Research
•Background of UR and methodology
•Using Hawaiian Mythology to better understand
Hawaiian/Indigenous Perspectives
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What is Undergraduate
Research?
S Undergraduate Research (UR) is an inquiry or investigation
conducted by an undergraduate that makes an original
intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.
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Examples of UR scholarship include scientific,
historical, literary, or educational research, as well as
creative writing, musical and theatrical performance, or
artistic composition.
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What else? Creative arts, design, performances,
exhibitions engineering projects, business plans
What kind of Research will we
use?
S The consultant model, in which an undergraduate conducts
a largely independent project with a professor’s guidance.
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Student gains ownership
Increases student confidence
Develops individual research skills
Builds a body of knowledge based on interest
Connects learning beyond a single discipline
Highest Level of Intellectual
Behavior
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Getting Started, Part I
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Step 1: Define your research interests
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Step 2: Research broad areas for ideas and
connections
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Step 3: Identify potential areas of focus, develop a
research question
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Step 4: Assess sources, gather more evidence
Getting Started, Part II
S Step 5: Process evidence, develop study/plan
S Step 6: “Connect the dots” to form a hypothesis
S Step 7: Test/Synthesize the results
S Step 8: Transfer information, present to peers/audience
S Step 9: Receive feedback from participants/assessors
Finding Interest...
To get started today, Step 3--Identify potential areas of focus,
develop a research question.
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Which subject areas most interest you?
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Which topics in our class do you want to return to?
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Do you have a specific project in mind or do you want
to acquire a set of skills?
Subject Areas
Science
History/Humanities
English
Ecological
representations,
environmental
degradation, adaptation
or evolution of natural
elements, role of
landscape
Government or ruling
power (law),
relationships/kinships
of power, belief
systems, cultural
practices,
discoveries/innovations
From our class:
place and identity,
migration and
colonization, conflicts
among cultural norms
and ideals, and
responses to changes
(resistance, assimilation,
alienation,
transformation).
•Imagery, voice, setting
The Research Question
in Science should...
S Post a problem
S Shape the problem into a testable hypothesis
S Report the results of the tested hypothesis
The Research Question in the
Humanities should...
S Define or measure a specific fact or gather facts about a
specific phenomenon.
S Match facts and theory.
S Evaluate and compare two theories, models, or hypotheses.
S Prove that a certain method is more effective than other
methods.
The Research Question in
English should...
S Be worth investigating
S Contribute knowledge & value to the field
S Improve educational practice for all
S Connect different types of knowledge sources
Brainstorming
S Can you identify any pivotal points in the project when you
made a choice or when the research took a sudden turn?
S Is there a focus to your research? Describe it.
S Explain a problem you’re investigating.
Hawaiian Mythology
some defining:
S According to George Kanahele in Kū Kanaka,
S “Myth is a sacred narrative that above all things tells us about
the gods and their deeds, because they represent reality...It is
concerned with the beginnings of the world, the primal past,
and sometimes with the ‘dramatic breakthroughs of the sacred’
(52).
S “Myth focuses on rituals and symbols because they breathe life
into the abstract retelling...[and] is also about power, or mana,
and the laws that determine human destiny (52).
Hawaiian Mythology, con’t
Lilikalā K. Kame’eleihiwa explains in the introduction of her text
Kamapua’a, The Hawaiian Pig-God, that
S “Everywhere myths abound, and to the extent that they are
remembered and recounted in any society, they inspire and
shape that society’s cultural identity” (vii).
S The role of Hawaiian mythology is...with forty thousand Akua,
or Gods, represented by many varied aspects of nature, and
with the continual mating of the earth-mother and sky-father,
the world of traditional Hawai’i was complex in its symbolic
meanings (vii).
Mythology as Text
Keep in mind...
S Myth was spoken, not read
S Translated version, missing kaona and cadence of spoken
word
S History and context of myth include versions, place
markers, and purpose (Nupepa)
S Issues of authorship, myth did not belong to a single
storyteller. It was anonymous and belonged to no one
Hawaiian Values
a very brief overview
Alaka’i
Kuleana
Noun: leader
Verb: the act of leading or guiding
Value: willingness to assume the
responsibilities of leadership
Value: responsibility as a privilege
and honor.
To view responsibility as a duty, not a
reward, but because it is the right
thing to do.
Mālama
Pono
Value: to take care of, tend, attend,
care for, preserve, protect
Value: “the foundation of good rule”
(Pukui), morality, correct or proper
procedure
Poster Components
S Dimensions 48 inches X 36 inches
Available in
the KCC
Bookstore
Poster Guidelines
Design & Layout
S Keep the text brief—should not exceed three paragraphs
(viewers will probably not read more than that).
S Text should be readable from five feet away. Use a minimum
font size of 18 points. Title at 60+ point font.
S Visuals should be simple and bold and have a brief title or
label.
S Leave some open space in the design. Allows eyes to rest.
Poster Components
S Introduction and Background: myth genealogy, version or
translation, deity/place background info., synopsis of myth
Purpose: set-up for audience
S Appearance: mixture of bullets and text in paragraphs
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Example: Lono and the story of Ulu, or breadfruit
S The god of clouds, winds, rain, sea, agriculture and fertility
S Patron god of the Makahiki, outlawed war for a time of peace
S Presence ensured food and nourishment for kanaka
S Provide synopsis of the myth—main points and characters involved
Poster Components
S Literature Review: summary of the sources encountered during
research, but combines both summary and synthesis. A summary
is a recap of the important information of the research, but a
synthesis is a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that
information. It might give a new interpretation of old material or
it might trace the intellectual progression of the field, including
major debates.
S Purpose: establishes credibility, identify seminal text or versions,
shows breadth of research
S Appearance: paragraph
Poster Components
S Analysis: presents your research. Explain the evidence found through
research. Possible to share research question here. “Connect the
dots” of your hypothesis.
S Purpose: show audience your work. Reveals your testing/thinking.
S Appearance: mixture of bullets and paragraph(s)
S Example: present information on Lono’s role in growing and
harvesting and the importance of providing nourishment for a family.
In his relationship with Hina he feed and protects his family, but there
is a famine. He tests Hina with a choice to stay with family or go and
provide food.
Poster Components
S Conclusion: present your results.
S Purpose: Presents results, answers hypothesis, comes to a final
understanding/interpretation of the myth.
S Appearance: mixture of bullets and paragraphs
S Example: Myths concerning Lono as a provider to his children
with Hina reveal the Hawaiian value of kuleana. As a father
Lono is responsible to nurture his children and when he
returns as an ulu tree he fulfills his role. He also ensures that
Hina is a strong mother to his children.
Poster Components
S References: reveals sources in alphabetical order.
S Purpose: provides source information for audience, reveals
credibility and further reference.
S Appearance: Works Cited page