Employer Impact Awards Rubric: Impact in Research

Prompts (500-word maximum per prompt):

  1. Summarize research projects at your organization that Waterloo co-op students lead, support or are involved with.
  2. Describe how your organization involves Waterloo co-op students in research. Tell us about co-op students’ projects, responsibilities and ongoing duties as they relate to research.
  3. Provide details about how involving Waterloo co-op students in research efforts has led to results, achievements, or made an impact on your organization.

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Prompts Scoring criteria 1-3 points 4-6 points 7-8 points 9-10 points

1. Summarize research projects at your organization that Waterloo co-op students lead, support or are involved with.

Did they include the following?

  • A list of research projects students are involved in.
  • A description of the type of research the organization conducts.

Provides minimal detail and few/no examples

Provides some detail and adequate examples

Provides adequate detail and good examples

Provides excellent detail and strong, connected examples

2. Describe how your organization involves Waterloo co-op students in research. Tell us about co-op students’ projects, responsibilities and ongoing duties as they relate to research.

Did they include the following?

  • An outline of the roles that students play in research projects (e.g., leading independent research, supporting ongoing research, collaborating with other teams).
  • A description of student responsibilities in research projects (e.g., conducting interviews, designing and running experiments, analyzing results).
  • How the research aligns with their academic efforts or vice versa.
 Provides minimal detail and few/no examples Provides some detail and adequate examples Provides adequate detail and good examples Provides excellent detail and strong, connected examples
3. Provide details about how involving Waterloo co-op students in research efforts has led to results, achievements, or made an impact on your organization.

Did they include the following?

  • Details on how involving students enhances the organization’s research and outcome efforts.
  • Examples of students bringing fresh perspectives or innovative ideas.
  • How they quantify the impact where possible (e.g., cost savings, revenue growth, product development, improved processes).
  • Accolades or recognition earned because of these efforts (e.g., awards, media coverage).
 Provides brief overview or minimal examples Provides example of impact, results and achievements – may not show how it is measurable Provides adequate detail and good examples of measurable impact, results and achievements Provides ample and insightful examples of measurable impact, results and achievements