ADDING STRUCTURE TO UNSTRUCTURED RESEARCH COURSES

In this article, we describe techniques for clarifying goals, improvin g organization, and evaluating students in research courses that are t ypically unstructured. We include methods for assisting students in de signing experiments, creating evaluation tools, and encouraging and mo nitoring student progress throughout the course. These techniques moti vate students to avoid procrastination and become Immediately involved in the research Process. The methods are simple, have a wide range of usefulness, and are appropriate for any graduate or undergraduate cou rse with an independent study or seminar format.