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Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium (GURS)

About the Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium

North Carolina Central University invites all NCCU students to attend and participate in the annual Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium (GURS). The symposium is aimed at both graduate and undergraduate students at North Carolina Central University who engage in research experiences and provides for them a venue to communicate and disseminate their research findings to a professional audience. This educational and networking experience encourages interdisciplinary exchange and brings together students from different disciplines.

NC Central takes pride in preparing its students for success academically and professionally and cultivates scholarly inquiry and excellence in research aimed at discovery and breakthroughs that lead to innovations that enhance the quality of life.

The Annual Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium is sponsored by the School of Graduate Studies, the Office of the Provost, the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, the College of Health and Sciences, the School of Library and Information Sciences, the School of Education and the Graduate Student Association.

Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium 2025

Students should prepare for an oral talk or poster presentation. Additional details can be found below. For each presentation, there will be a question-and-answer period. Judging will take place the day of the event.

Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium 2025

Eagle Vision: Seeing Beyond Academic Boundaries

Students should prepare a five- to seven-minute presentation. Any documents related to the presentation should be brought on a thumb drive for ease of use in the presentation space.

For each presentation, there will be the opportunity for a question period. Judging will take place on the day of the event.

Important Dates:

  • Abstract Portal Opens: January 20
  • Abstract Submissions Due: March 8
  • Abstract Acceptance Notifications: March 17
  • Research Week: March 24–March 29
  • GURS 2025: Saturday, March 29 (8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)

 
 

The oral presentations will be 10 minutes in length. The presenter should prepare a presentation with slides. The content will be judged the day of the competition.

Virtual Oral Session Evaluation Checklist

(Completed Research)

This checklist outlines the criteria that will be used by the judges in evaluating the research presented in an oral format. This information is provided to aid the students and the faculty advisors in preparing for the oral presentation. The maximum score is 40 points. The criteria items range from 5 = Excellent to 1 = Poor. A zero will be assigned for items not included.

  1. Purpose or Statement of Problem (5 points)
    1. Must have a few sentences describing why the research is needed
    2. Must have data to support the purpose statement
    3. Must be stated very clearly
  2. Methods, Procedures or Approach (5 points)
    1. Must be clear
    2. Must have a detailed description of the procedures
    3. Needs to include the theoretical or conceptual framework
  3. Results, Findings or Product (5 points)
    1. Highly related to the purpose
    2. Highly relevant and adequate data
  4. Conclusion and Implications (5 points)
    1. Reasonable conclusions
    2. Strong supporting evidence
    3. Highly connected to the purpose
    4. Includes at least one implication for practice or research
  5. Verbal Skills (5 points)
    1. Enthusiastic
    2. Clear voice
    3. Correct and precise pronunciation of words
    4. No more than one or two grammatical errors
  6. Nonverbal Skills (5 points)
    1. Excellent eye contact with the audience (i.e., looking at the camera)
    2. Seldom looks at notes or screen (not just reading the notes or reading the screen)
    3. Very poised
  7. PowerPoint Slides (5 points)
    1. Must have PowerPoint slides
    2. The slides must be highly attractive
    3. Appropriate font and font size (not less than 24 points)
    4. No more than minor errors
  8. Question and Answer (5 points)
    1. Excellent responses to most questions
    2. Good explanation and elaboration
    3. Responses are not vague

The posters will be judged the day of the event. A physical poster is required. There are a number of poster guides online, including this excellent guide from North Carolina State University: NCSU Poster Guidelines.

Virtual Poster Session Evaluation Checklist

(Completed Research)

This checklist outlines the criteria that will be used by the judges in evaluating the research presented in a poster format. This information is provided as an aid to the students and the faculty advisors in preparing for the poster presentation. The maximum score is 40 points. The criteria items range from 5 = Excellent to 1 = Poor. A zero will be assigned for items not included.

  1. Introduction or Background (5 points)
    1. Must have a few sentences describing why the research is needed
    2. Must have data to support the purpose statement
    3. Must be relevant for the problem
  2. Purpose, Statement of Problem (5 points)
    1. Very clearly stated purpose or problem
    2. Logically stated purpose or problem
  3. Methods, Procedures or Approach (5 points)
    1. Must be clear
    2. Must have a detailed description of procedures
    3. Needs to include the theoretical or conceptual framework
  4. Tables, Graphs or Charts (5 points)
    1. Must have at least one table, graph or chart to display data
    2. Must have a title for the table, graph or chart
    3. Need to use the most appropriate format for displaying the data (e.g., pie chart vs. bar graph)
  5. Results, Findings or Product (5 points)
    1. Highly related to the purpose
    2. Highly relevant and adequate data
  6. Conclusions and Implications (5 points)
    1. Reasonable conclusions
    2. Strong supporting evidence
    3. Highly connected to the purpose
    4. Includes at least one implication for practice or research
  7. Communication Skills (5 points)
    1. Well-stated responses to most questions
    2. Correct and precise pronunciation of words
    3. Excellent grammar
    4. Consistent eye contact (i.e., looking at the camera and not reading notes)
  8. Poster (5 points)
    1. Outstanding visual appeal (color scheme and layout)
    2. Appropriate font size
    3. Well-organized information
    4. Free of grammatical, punctuation and capitalization errors

GURS Program Booklet

Included in this booklet are the participating students' presentations.

View the GURS Program Booklet

 

Information for All Attendees

The Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium is a free live event. Please watch this space for any updates.

Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Lorna Grant ([email protected]).