Definition of Research - Department of English and Philosophy

Research and scholarly activity pertinent to the area of expertise are required. It is assumed that candidates will keep current with development in their areas of expertise by attending professional conferences or workshops and by reading the current literature. Further, it is expected that the candidate will be active in at least two of the following four areas: publication of scholarly or creative work, presentation of scholarly or creative work to professional or general audiences, obtaining grants or fellowships, and paid or unpaid consulting work relevant to the candidate's research or teaching interests with outside businesses or organizations. Appropriate research activities for faculty in the Department of English and Philosophy include the following:


  1. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning includes activities that are directly related to improving pedagogical practices. This type of scholarship is oriented to discovery, evaluation, and communication of information about the learning process.
  2. The Scholarship of Artistic Endeavor includes activities that are directly related to the creative process, particularly in fine and applied arts, such as drama, music, and visual arts. This scholarship involves artistic creation and dissemination of works.

    Please note that the Department of English and Philosophy's qualifications for tenure are not necessarily the same as the qualifications for promotion. (approved May 2011)
  1. The Scholarship of Discovery includes all activities that extend knowledge through the discovery or collection of new information. The Scholarship of Discovery includes, but is not limited to, what are typically called basic or original research.
  2. The Scholarship of Integration includes activities that are primarily interdisciplinary and interpretive, seeking better understanding of existing knowledge through integration across disciplines and original synthesis to bring new meanings and insights.
  3. The Scholarship of Application includes activities that relate knowledge in academic disciplines to communities beyond academia. Applications may include original investigations oriented to solving problems, developing solutions to problems through use of existing discipline-based knowledge, or making information or ideas accessible to the public.