Centre collégial de développement de matériel didactique

Rules and Code of Conduct

RULES

ROLES

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Québec CEGEP social science students who have produced supervised Research Proposals as course work.

GOAL OF THE GAME

For students to play a scripted role in the inquiry-based setting of an external grants competition.

SCENARIO SETTING

An external grants competition held across participating Research Methods courses in a college. Hosted by a Lead Research Director, student Contestants compete to become the Grant Holder, get published and be honoured with a Research Work of Outstanding Merit award.

CHRONOLOGY

The game is spread over four successive stages:

  • SET-UP 
  • PREPARATION 
  • CONTEST 
  • POST-CONTEST

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

Research Proposals that adhere to the rules and Code of Conduct governing this scenario. The Research Proposals must also have been produced under the supervision of a Research Director (teacher) and must be sponsored by that Research Director. Individual or group (no more than five students) proposals may be submitted.

WHAT IS REQUIRED?

Submission of the Research Proposal along with the Contestant Entry Form containing the signatures of applicant(s) and the sponsoring Research Director. A signature signifying consent to abide by the Code of Conduct is also required.

WHAT IS THE ENTRY DEADLINE?

Entries must be received by the date specified by the Lead Research Director, generally toward the end of the semester. The winners are announced a few weeks after the closing entry date.

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS

Contestants and sponsors must comply with the regulations set out in the Grant Holder’s Script. The Regulations are aligned with the rules governing research granting organizations, as well as the research boards/guidelines of educational institutions. The Contestants and sponsors are responsible for reviewing the regulatory and ethical conduct materials in advance. Failure to comply may lead to automatic disqualification.

PEDAGOGICAL TECHNIQUES

Inquiry-based role-play scenario

  • Based on an emergent “distributed learning” trend, the learning environment is less anchored in the classroom. Teaching, assessment and curriculum development involves larger and more diverse teams of learners working together in broadly scoped learning environments, also known as extended learning communities.
  • The “Outside the Classroom” setting allows the students to experience the micro-political and cultural realities of the research world.

OBJECTIVE OF THE LEARNING ACTIVITY

Teachers, students, staff and administration partake in a learning activity that reaches beyond the conventional boundaries of classroom learning. Functioning much like a science fair, it provides an enriching 21st century co-curricular learning experience.

Co-curricular activity has become part of a wider international effort to infuse 21st century learning initiatives such as culture and ethical citizenship, computer and digital technologies, problem-solving, collaboration and decision-making into the educational fabric of Canada. (http://www.c21canada.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PIAACDec3.pdf)

Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) settings offer “compelling learning experiences” in which a learning-for-life curriculum can be developed (Ofsted 2008). UK Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.  

CODE OF CONDUCT

Respect for the well-being and integrity of research participants and full and voluntary adherence to scientific protocol and government laws and regulations govern behaviour at all levels of research. The COLLEGIATE CONTEST Code of Conduct is drawn up in light of these multiple scopes. Even though it is a game, the specific prescriptions in the Code are rooted in the ethical rules governing researchers.

The Code of Conduct should be followed not just as a means to be “a good sport” but as a way to “behave your way into the world of professional research.”

The Entry Forms contain the Code of Conduct relative to each player. A signature signifying consent to abide by the Code of Conduct is required.