• Provide a detailed project description outlining objectives, requirements, and evaluation criteria to help students understand what is expected of them, how they will be assessed, and hopefully lighten your load by limiting the questions you receive from students. 
• Assist students in selecting appropriate research topics aligned with course objectives and their interests. Offer suggestions, but also encourage them to explore topics that intrigue them personally. 
• Encourage students to critically evaluate sources, analyze data, and construct well-reasoned arguments. Emphasize the importance of evidence-based reasoning and help students develop their analytical skills. 

• Familiarize students with available research tools, databases, libraries, academic journals, and professional organizations relevant to their field of study.  
• Invite a UTSA Librarian to your class to offer guidance on effective search strategies and citation methods. 
• Share the UTSA Libraries’ tutorials to help provide guidance on structuring research papers, drafting outlines, refining arguments, and polishing writing style.   
• Encourage students to reach out to UTSA’s Writing Center for help with academic writing conventions, grammar, and citation formatting. 

• Foster a collaborative environment where students can share ideas, discuss challenges, and provide peer feedback. Group discussions and peer review can enrich the research process and enhance learning outcomes. 
• Organize or find workshops or seminars on research methodologies, literature review techniques, data analysis methods, and academic writing skills. These sessions can empower students with valuable research skills and enhance the quality of their projects.  

Establish regular checkpoints throughout the project timeline to review progress, provide feedback, and address any challenges students may encounter. This helps keep students on track and prevents procrastination. This also allows faculty to give feedback and opportunities for growth. 

• Acknowledge and celebrate students' accomplishments throughout the research process, whether it's reaching milestones, presenting findings, or submitting the final project. Positive reinforcement motivates students and reinforces their commitment to scholarly inquiry. 
• Consider having your students attend or participate in conferences or showcases like UTSA's annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry Showcase.