Mendoza Research Honors Program
The Mendoza Research Honors Program (MRHP) at Mendoza College of Business is a college-wide program that provides opportunities for our ambitious undergraduate students to engage in business-related research in a collaborative and interdisciplinary way. Research engagement can be a valuable part of the academic experience. The experience allows students to progress on a scholarly journey from being a recipient of knowledge to an active creator of knowledge. In addition to learning the research process, students also gain a more comprehensive and contextual understanding of the field or discipline of interest.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BAUG 20300 | Introduction to Research Scholarship | 3 |
| Two 3-credit hour research courses 1 | 6 | |
| 2-3 Page Research Idea Proposal 2 | ||
| Independent Study 3 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
The types of research courses can vary widely based on your experience and interests. In general, they are designed to help you understand and explore:
- Research literature on topics of personal interest, including key theories, motivations, contributions, tensions and findings.
- Topics that could serve as a catalyst for potential research questions to examine in the future.
- Different types of research methods and data sources that can be used for a thesis.
- 2
After taking the introductory course and the two additional research courses, you will have the opportunity to develop a viable research idea. This involves developing a research idea that includes a 2-3 page writeup describing:
- The intended research question.
- Any theoretical causal mechanisms proposed.
- A general sense of its contribution.
- A rough idea of how you might test your idea.
- 3
During Independent Study, you work on your thesis under the supervision of your faculty advisor, meeting regularly with the chosen professor and providing updates to the MRHP director to receive feedback and ensure you’re on track for thesis completion.
The thesis typically is 25-40 pages in length, with additional pages for appendices or supplemental material. Once the thesis is approved by the faculty advisor and MRHP director, you will present to a small group of informed faculty and MRHP students. Assessment is based on the quality of the thesis and the presentation. Successful defense of the thesis qualifies you as a research fellow, a distinction noted on your official transcript.