IRP consists of three classes, all of which are mandatory for obtaining any credit for an IRP:<\/p>\r\n
You can enroll in Independent Research Projects at the same time as you are enrolled in a RESEARCH SEMINAR and the PCP programme. However, the research you undertake in each of these courses must be different.<\/p>\r\n
The aim of these two courses is to ensure that students acquire a deep understanding of a particular research area.<\/p>\r\n
\u25cfBefore formally registering for these courses, students begin by determining their own research topics, contacting possible supervisors, and asking them to agree to their proposed research topic. Therefore, applicants for the IRP are required to clarify their own research interests during their first and second years at Keio.<\/p>\r\n
\u25cfEach supervisor supports a student\u2019s research and gives advice on proper research methods, relevant academic research, and directions for the research. Students usually get coaching from their supervisors individually or in a small group, once a week (90 minutes) over the fall semester in IRPA (starting in late September) and over the spring semester in IRPB (starting in April). According to a student\u2019s research interest, however, some supervisors may hold meetings with his\/her student on an irregular basis. Each student will decide the details of these procedures after consulting with his\/her supervisor when the fall and spring semesters begin.<\/p>\r\n
\u25cfStudents are also allowed to do collaborative research. In this case, students of other faculties of Keio University can join in the research activity, and all the students are required to register for the three IRP courses (A, B, and C) and to explicitly specify which member of the group is responsible for what part of the research in their presentations and paper.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u25cfAll full-time professors in the Faculty of Economics whether they are located on the Mita or Hiyoshi campuses are eligible to be supervisors of IRP. However, your preferred professor might not accept your request for supervision. Before formally registering for the IRP courses, each student is required to contact and ask his\/her preferred professor for supervision. This preliminary work is a part of the lessons that students are expected to learn through pursuing an IRP.<\/p>\r\n
\u25cfSee below on how to contact professors and the lists of professors\u2019 specialized research area.<\/p>\r\n
\u25cfThe aim of IRPC is to provide students with an orientation for the IRP programme, and an opportunity for professors unrelated to the students\u2019 research to review the progress of their research.<\/p>\r\n
\u25cfThe professors responsible for the IRPC course are called \u201ccoordinators\u201d. They will provide an orientation at the beginning of the fall semester, and organize the mid-term and final presentations. Moreover, the coordinators evaluate whether the final research outcome submitted by a student fulfills the academic conventions required for a research paper.<\/p>\r\n
\u25cf\u201cIndependent Research Project C\u201d also provides students with an opportunity to communicate with other students registered in the IRP programme, and to develop academic interests in their research.<\/p>\r\n
\u25cfThe \u201cIndependent Research Project C\u201d is timetabled to be held on Saturdays, but students are required only to attend an orientation class at the beginning of the fall semester, and to make a mid-term presentation in February and a final presentation in July. These presentations will be open to the public. The coordinators are also available for any general questions about the IRP programme, and for solving problems that arise between a student and his\/her supervisor.<\/p>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n
Third and fourth year students enrolled in the Faculty of Economics are eligible for the IRP. Students attached to other faculties can only participate in an IRP as a collaborator of the research led by a student(s) in the Faculty of Economics. For non-Economics students, whether or not the IRP credits are recognized is decided by the Faculty the students is associated with.<\/p>\r\n
Creations such as artwork or literary work are acceptable in an IRP. For details of this type of research, see below:<\/p>\r\n