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