A specific area of inquiry will be targeted for each year of the summer program.  The students will work as a team on a joint subject, collecting data in groups of two on a particular dimension of that foci.   These projects will build off data already amassed, permitting the summer team to significantly contribute to an aspect of the overall biocultural model. The goal is to compile the results during the subsequent academic year in a manuscript for joint publication.  Dr. Sheridan will organize the synthesis, remaining in email contact with all participants during the year. 

Students will work in teams to facilitate collaborative research skills, and provide an internal check on accuracy of data collection.  They will research the topic together, learn and apply statistical methods jointly, compile and survey the pertinent literature in combination, and present the results of their findings together.  However, actual data collection will be completed individually, then later compared by the faculty for accuracy.  This proved exceptionally useful in the Summer 2000 program, where mistakes were found and corrected before the end of the session.

Debate:  Within each proposed foci, there are differing opinions about the application of knowledge and interpretation of results.  Each summer a debate topic will be selected from these areas of contention, and students will divide into two groups of 5 (with each member of a research team on opposing sides).  They will be given a series of readings on the topic and asked to debate the issue.  Thus, as they work on their projects, they will remain cognizant of the issues surrounding the research focus.

Presentation: The final aspect of the research agenda will be a presentation of results, with each student provided approximately 15 minutes to speak and five minutes for questions.  Facilities for slide preparation are available if needed, as is a projector.  Students will be instructed throughout the session on presentation techniques both by the faculty and teaching assistant in preparation for this aspect of the assignment.