Interdisciplinary & Global Studies Division
Global Perspective Program

Detailed Table of Contents

Prepared by Douglas W. Woods, Director of Interdisciplinary Studies

Part I

Chapter 1: Introduction
The IQP and the WPI Plan
Importance of the IQP
Perception of IQP quality
Objectives of the handbook

Part II: IQP Objectives, Expectations and Design

Chapter 2: Objectives of the IQP
The 1972 Zwiebel report
Original objectives of the IQP
Relevance of the original IQP objectives today
Chapter 3: Expectations for IQP Outcomes
Appendix 1: Guidelines for Project Grading
Chapter 4: The Interactive Qualifying Project: Selection and Design
Types of projects
The determinants of IQP quality
Problems to be avoided in IQP selection and design

Part III: Beginning the Project

Introduction
Chapter 5: How to Write a Project Proposal
Why a project proposal?
Basic sections of a proposal
Other sections: finishing up
Appendix 2: Budget
Appendix 3: Sample Title Page
Chapter 6: Literature Review
What are the potential sources?
How to find resources
Now that the project team has found material, what do they do with it?

Part IV: Conducting the Project

Introduction
Chapter 7: Team Dynamics - A Manual for Team Building
Stages of group development
Guide to symptoms, sources and remediation
Places to get help
Appendix 4: Example of Faculty Project Guidelines
Chapter 8: Project Control and Evaluation
Reporting and review requirements
Project grading
Loans to students
Report format
Appendix 5: Common Problems in Report Writing
Appendix 6: Gennert's Project Guidelines

Part V: Common IQP Methodologies

Chapter 9: Introduction and Glossary of IQP research methods
Survey research
Natural and participant observation
Interviewing
Focus groups
Case study
Content analysis
Historical analysis in IQP's
Risk analysis
Regression and correlation analysis
Hypothesis testing
Cost/benefit analysis
Investment decision analysis
Life cycle costing
Chapter 10: Introduction to Survey Methodology and Design
Introduction
Alternative social science methodologies
Sampling
Response rates
Choosing the right survey method
Question wording
Questionnaire design
Pretesting
Survey implementation
Ethical considerations
Reporting on survey methodology
Data analysis (a very brief introduction)
Conclusion
Chapter 11: Introduction to Interviewing Techniques
Introduction
When interviews are appropriate
Choosing the right interview method
Getting the interview
Ethical considerations
In-depth qualitative interviews Focus groups Standardized interviews For further information

Part VI: Quantitative Methods for IQPs

Chapter 12: Investment Decisions - Life Cycle Costing
Introduction
Illustration of compound interest
The concept of present value
Evaluating investments using present value Additional investment criteria
Annual worth or cost
Internal rate of return
Payback period
Comparison between NPV and IRR
Modified internal rate of return
Determining the interest factors
Future net cash flows
Future net cash flows and inflation NPV given real cash flows
Determining the cost of capital Investment decisions - Life Cycle Costing Cost/benefit analysis - bibliography
Chapter 13: Regression Analysis
Definition
Multiple regression
Test statistics
Chapter 14: Econometric Modeling
Definition
Methods of simultaneous estimation
References for econometrics
Chapter 15: System Dynamics
What is system dynamics
Stock flows and dynamic behavior
Feedback
Reference modes
Sustainable development from the system dynamics point of view
Steps an IQP team would follow to produce a system dynamics study
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: November 16, 2006 10:34:36