For Faculty and Staff
THInC - Where JHCOE goes for research support
The Herb Innovation Center (THInC) is dedicated to serving as a center for research excellence, with our entire mission focused on supporting JHCOE faculty and students in their research endeavors. We provide a wide range of resources, guidance, and assistance tailored to meet the unique research needs of our academic community. Our commitment is to empower both faculty and students, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to pursue innovative research projects and achieve their academic goals.
Quick Summaries of the information you'll find in the following tabs:
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- For Your Research: THInC can help you with your research, every step of the way!
- For Your Students: We offer research services your students can use, or your classes as a whole.
- THInC Series: Our center hosts regular workshops on various research topics, including qualitative and quantitative methods, data visualization, and academic writing, equipping students with essential skills for their studies.
- More Resources: becoming a mentor, Scholars@Utoledo, Spin training
Testimonials from JHCOE faculty:
Dr. Svetlana Beltyukova - Professor, Research and Measurement
In my experience with the center, I see it as a powerful bridging platform between undergraduate and graduate education through its unique 3M/5M Research Competition. This is one of a kind opportunity on campus to bring graduate and undergraduate students together and encourage them to start and continue exploring research in the field of education.
Dr. Revathy Kumar - Distinguished University Professor, Educational Psychology
The Herb Innovation Center (THinC) is truly living up to its commitment to supporting innovative research efforts. Personally, I've found THinC to be invaluable in thinking through research project ideas and identifying potential grant opportunities. Graduate students have shared with me how the THinC-3M Research Competitions have been incredibly motivating, especially as they approach the dissertation phase of their research. The center's recent initiation of a colloquium series to showcase the research work of students, faculty, and other scholars is a fantastic addition. THinC is an essential component of a thriving research community within our college.
Dr. Lynne Hamer - Professor, The Judith Herb College of Education
THInC's 3M/5M thesis competition provides a great opportunity for our students to articulate their research and to discover that an audience finds it interesting. Because THInC has created both early and late tracks for the competition, I am able to use it as either a basis or framework for assignments both in introductory classes—like EDU 1700 Introduction to Education and TSOC 5000/8100 Introduction to Graduate Studies in Social Foundations—as well as with dissertation and thesis students. This helps undergraduate and graduate students with research they need to complete for their degrees; it brings them into a research community of like-minded people; it celebrates the research and research process; and it gives them a line on their resume or CV. Thank you, THInC!
How THInC can help you with your research
THInC is committed to being a hub for research excellence, specifically focused on supporting JHCOE faculty in their scholarly pursuits. We offer a variety of resources, guidance, and tailored assistance to address the distinct research needs of our faculty members. Our goal is to empower you with the necessary tools and support to embark on innovative research projects and successfully meet your academic objectives.
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Design and Carry Out New Research Projects: We assist researchers in developing innovative research projects from the ground up. This includes formulating research questions, designing methodologies, and creating detailed project plans. Our support ensures that your research is well-structured and aligned with your academic goals.
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The Grant Process: Navigating the grant process can be complex, but we provide guidance at every stage. From identifying suitable funding opportunities to understanding the requirements, we help you streamline the process for successful grant applications.
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Finding Grants: We offer resources and tools to help you locate relevant grants that align with your research interests. Our team can assist in conducting searches for funding sources, ensuring you have access to a broad range of potential opportunities.
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Submitting Proposals: We provide support in crafting compelling grant proposals, helping you articulate your research objectives and methodologies effectively. Our feedback on proposal drafts enhances your chances of securing funding.
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IRB Process: Understanding the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process is crucial for conducting ethical research. We guide you through the necessary steps for submitting your research for review, ensuring compliance with ethical standards when working with human subjects.
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InfoEd Assistance: We offer assistance with InfoEd, a system that facilitates the management of grant proposals and compliance. Our team can help you navigate the platform, ensuring your submissions are accurate and timely.
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Opportunity to Mentor: Engaging with our team provides opportunities for mentorship, allowing you to gain insights from experienced researchers. This collaborative environment fosters professional growth and development in your research journey.
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Partner with You on an Existing Project: If you have an ongoing project, we can partner with you to enhance its scope and impact. Our expertise can help refine your research approach and expand your project's reach.
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Connect You with Community and Academic Partners: We facilitate connections with both community organizations and academic partners, broadening your research network. These collaborations can enhance the relevance and applicability of your work, fostering meaningful partnerships.
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Article Formatting and Writing Requirements: We provide guidance on formatting and writing requirements for academic publications. Our support helps ensure your articles meet the standards of targeted journals, improving your chances of successful publication.
How THInC can help your students
THInC can help your class and students in a variety of ways. Simply reach out to us with any questions or to schedule a class presentation. You can send students our way as well, we're always happy to help.
Want to schedule a class presentation or connect us with a student in need of help?
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Methodological Support for Thesis/Dissertation:
We provide comprehensive guidance on research methodologies to assist students in both designing and implementing their thesis or dissertation projects effectively. Our support covers a wide range of methodological approaches, ensuring that students choose the most suitable methods for their research questions. We emphasize the importance of establishing a clear research design that aligns with their objectives.
Our team helps students navigate the complexities of data collection and analysis, teaching them how to select appropriate tools and techniques to ensure robust and credible results. By fostering a deep understanding of methodological principles, we empower students to critically evaluate their research processes and make informed decisions throughout their studies. Ultimately, our goal is to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to produce high-quality research that contributes meaningfully to their fields.
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Class Presentations on the THInC Center and Services for Students:
THInC is here to provide presentations on a range of research topics tailored to your class. Simply let us know the subject, your specific needs, and the preferred timing, and we’ll collaborate with you to ensure your class receives the support it requires.
These presentations serve to inform students about the extensive resources and support offered by the THInC center, enabling them to navigate their academic journeys with confidence. By highlighting various programs, workshops, and services available, students gain a clear understanding of how to access the assistance they need at different stages of their research and studies.
The presentations cover topics such as research methodologies, writing support, and ethical considerations, ensuring students are well-equipped with the necessary tools for success. Additionally, we discuss opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and networking, which are vital for building connections within the academic community.
By fostering awareness of these resources, we empower students to take initiative in their academic pursuits, encouraging them to seek help and guidance when needed. Ultimately, our goal is to create a supportive environment that enhances students' confidence and promotes their overall success in their academic endeavors.
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Class Presentations on Research: We offer sessions on various research topics, equipping students with essential knowledge and skills.
- Quantitative: Focuses on statistical methods and numerical data analysis, teaching students how to conduct research that involves measurable variables.
- Qualitative: Covers approaches for collecting and analyzing non-numerical data, such as interviews and observations, to understand complex phenomena.
- Ethics: Discusses ethical considerations in research, emphasizing the importance of integrity and responsibility in conducting studies.
- The IRB Process: Provides insights into the Institutional Review Board process, guiding students through the steps required for ethical approval of their research involving human subjects.
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The 3M/5M Research Competition:
Offered only for students in JHCOE, this competition encourages innovative research ideas, providing a platform to showcase their work and gain recognition. Our graduate 3M Research Competition serves as the preliminary round for the university-wide 3MT at UToledo. Graduate students in JHCOE who wish to compete in the 3MT must first participate in our 3M competition as their initial qualifying round.
Our graduate student competition, the 3M, takes place in the fall, while the undergraduate competition, the 5M, is held in the spring. We encourage all students to attend both events, as they provide valuable opportunities to see what their peers are working on, network with others, and inspire their own ideas for future competitions.
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Supplemental Writing Support: We offer additional writing resources after use of the university writing center to assist graduate students with any outside-of-class research needs they may have, such as writing skills to ensure clarity and coherence in their thesis or dissertation. Reach out to THInC via email, or send your student directly to us to set up writing assistance.
SHARE Series
THInC's Seminar on Highlighting Academic Research (SHARE) Series offers faculty an opportunity to share their current research in a relaxed environment, where fellow faculty and students are available to listen and engage with insightful questions. Light refreshments and snacks will also be provided.
Want to share your current or recently published research in an upcoming SHARE Series? Email THInC to reserve your spot:
SMART Series
THInC's Seminar on Methods and Research Techniques (SMART) Series offers faculty the opportunity to learn about various research methods and techniques, teach others, or practice their presentation skills by discussing a topic of their choice. In this series, faculty, guests, and graduate students can present on a research method or technique and even showcase its application in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. This series is designed to raise awareness of research methodologies within the college and across the broader academic community. The event will welcome JHCOE faculty and students, along with faculty from other departments and invited guests from outside the college. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
Want to teach a new research method or technique in an upcoming SMART Series? Email THInC to reserve your spot:
Become a mentor
As professors, you already play a crucial role in shaping future generations through your teaching, imparting knowledge and skills that lay the foundation for students' academic and professional success. By becoming a mentor, you can build on this impactful work, deepening your connection with students and guiding them beyond the classroom. Mentorship allows you to provide personalized support, address individual challenges, and inspire students in a more holistic manner, reinforcing the lessons learned in your courses while fostering their growth as confident, critical thinkers.
Mentorship offers a valuable opportunity to shape the next generation of scholars and professionals by guiding students through their academic journeys, helping them navigate challenges, fostering critical thinking, and building confidence in their abilities. This role also enhances your own professional development, as engaging with students brings fresh perspectives that can invigorate your teaching and research, while fostering a sense of community that promotes collaboration within the department. Ultimately, mentoring is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about inspiring and empowering students to reach their full potential, making it a rewarding role in our academic community.
Become a featured faculty member of THInC by expressing your intent to mentor and sharing your areas of research interest. While mentorship is not guaranteed or required, students will submit requests, and we will match them with our featured faculty mentors based on research fit. If a match occurs, we’ll reach out to discuss your interest and availability, with no commitment required.
To become a mentor:
Scholars@UToledo
Scholars@UToledo is a public portal and database of the research output of University of Toledo faculty and other scholars. It allows users to easily search and browse for topics, people, and organizations of interest. It is designed to feature and celebrate the wealth of research and creative activities being generated every day by University of Toledo scholars.
SPIN Training
Dr. Rick Francis provided training to help faculty locate external funding sources using the SPIN database. Below you will find two training videos and instructions for SPIN account setup and activation.
Advancing Your Research Program - Using SPIN to Find External Funding & UToledo's Seed Grant Programs (URFO) (UToledo access required)
SPIN funding opportunities database training video (UToledo access required)
Instructions for creating a SPIN account can be found here: SPIN activation