Step One: Criteria for Establishing a Research Group
The first step is the cornerstone for building an effective research group at the University of Jordan. It aims to guide researchers in establishing a clear and cohesive research framework that reflects the group’s scientific identity and future direction.
Criteria for Establishing a Research Group:
1.1 Existence of a Research Line
The research line is the central focus upon which the group’s research is built.
It must be specific and clear, focusing on a scientifically or practically significant problem, and reflecting the distinctiveness and sustainability of the group.
It should be clear to researchers, funders, and stakeholders exactly what the group is focusing on.
The research line should differentiate the group from others. It should not be a temporary idea but rather a sustainable path that can be developed and expanded over time.
A clear research line helps build the group’s reputation in a specialized field, making it easier to publish, collaborate, and attract funding.
It also allows students and new researchers to easily understand the group’s direction and engage in projects aligned with their interests.
1.2 Research Group Name (Research Title)
When choosing a name for the research group:
The name should directly reflect the area of specialization without using words like "research," "study," or "group."
It should highlight the group's specialization, align with the research line, and reflect the group's research interests and primary focus.
The name should be distinctive and unique to attract attention and make the group stand out from others.
It should be short, clear, and allow for future development of group activities without being overly restrictive or specific.
1.3 Criteria for the Principal Investigator (PI)
The Principal Investigator must:
Be research-active within the group's research line.
Have a record of scientific research and publications contributing to the same field.
Not lead more than one research group at the University of Jordan, although they may participate in one additional group.
1.4 Criteria for Group Members
All team members must have research interests aligned with the group's research line, with backgrounds and research activities supporting the group's main goal.
The team should have at least 5 and no more than 10 members, ensuring a balanced group size that fosters effective communication and coordination.
Essential Components for Group Approval:
The research group must include:
A group leader from the University of Jordan.
One or more international members (from outside Jordan) with the same research interests.
One or more members from vital Jordanian sectors relevant to the research area.
One or more members representing related scientific disciplines.
One or more graduate students from the University of Jordan.
Diversity and Multidisciplinary Approach
The group should demonstrate diversity in disciplines, scientific backgrounds, and academic ranks (e.g., professors, research associates, graduate students).
Members should come from different faculties and departments, promoting a multidisciplinary research environment.
International Dimension
The group must include an international researcher engaged in the same field.
Researchers on sabbatical leave in neighboring countries are not considered international members.
Including international members enhances opportunities for participation in international conferences and collaborations with global research institutions.
Graduate Student Involvement
Involving graduate students enhances the group's sustainability and ensures the continuity of research efforts.
Graduate students should register on platforms like ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and ORCID to professionalize their academic presence.
Engagement with Vital Jordanian Sectors
Including researchers from key Jordanian sectors strengthens the link between academic research and practical applications.
These members should be decision-makers who can help transfer the research outcomes into practical applications in vital sectors.
Their involvement brings practical expertise to the group, enhances funding opportunities, and increases the real-world impact of research, socially and economically.
Step Two: Criteria for the First Meeting Before Registering a Research Group
Before registering the research group, the Principal Investigator (PI) must send an email to Prof. Hadeel Ghazzawi, the Assistant Dean for Research Collaboration (h.ghazzawi@ju.edu.jo), with the following information:
Proposed Name of the Group
Research Interests of the Group
Principal Investigator’s Contact Information (College, Phone, Email)
A meeting will then be scheduled with the Research Group Accreditation Committee.
This meeting will involve the PI discussing the research line of the group.
General Guidelines to Prepare for the Meeting:
What the Principal Investigator Should Prepare for the Meeting to Approve the Name and Research Line of the Group
1. Research Group Name
2. Research Area of the Group
Provide a clear description of the research area, such as:
"STEM Education in Schools"
"Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare"
"Food Security in Dry Areas"
Clarify the multidisciplinary specializations that fall under the group's line of research.
Link the research area to national, regional, or global goals (such as the Sustainable Development Goals).
3. Required Diversity of Specializations
Identify the specializations needed for the research field to be effective and integrated (e.g., technology, education, psychology, etc.).
Explain why this diversity is essential to the success of the group.
4. Research Team Members
5. Current or Potential Partners
Step Three: After Approving the Group Name and Research Interests
The Principal Investigator should:
Fill out the following form:
https://forms.office.com/r/s1qfafQS4C
Send an email
Send an email to:
And CC the contact person for your faculty.
In the email, clarify:
You will then receive a response with the link to your group's website. The Admin can then proceed to add the group’s information as per the detailed criteria outlined in Step Four.
Step Four: Creating the Research Group's Website
We recommend watching the videos below, which explain in detail the
Key Points for Preparing the Research Group's Website:
technical steps for creating the website.
1. Logo Design
The logo should reflect the identity of the group and its research objectives. It must be specific to the group and represent the core idea of the research line.
It is important to include the University of Jordan logo.
Avoid using AI-generated logos, as they may sometimes contain unclear messages or elements that conflict with the group’s identity.
The name of the research group should be written on the logo.
2. Home Slider
This section should highlight the major achievements of the research group. It will appear continuously on the homepage and should showcase the most significant accomplishments, such as publishing a paper in a reputable journal, participating in an international conference, or a key research result (e.g., a graph).
The date provided should reflect the date of the event, not the date the image was uploaded.
After uploading the image, make sure to write a brief caption explaining the image.
Ensure that the title of the slide is concise.
Research Interest
1. Insert a Representative Image:
When choosing an image, ensure it is directly related to the research field and helps convey a quick visual message about the research group's activities.
The main image should be placed directly under the title. (Please insert an image that represents the group's activities, such as a laboratory image, team photo, or a symbolic image reflecting the specialization.)
2. Write a Short Paragraph After the Image:
This paragraph should clarify the main goal or core objective for which the research group was established. It should explain why the group exists, what it aims to achieve in the long term, and should be concise and clear, while containing meaningful content.
3. Organize Research Interests:
After the paragraph, list the research interests in clear bullet points. Each point should be concise and specific. It should explain what each research interest means and how it aligns with the group's objectives.
Avoid using broad keywords.
4. Avoid Duplication:
Featured Publications
Display of Scientific Publications on the Research Group Website:
The title of the paper should be listed first, followed by the authors' names in the order they appear in the original paper, with the publication date provided after the authors’ names for easy identification of the research’s release date, not the date it was uploaded to the research group website.
It is important to include the name of the journal and provide an active link to the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) link (DOI: https://doi.org/).
A summary of the paper should appear when clicking the Abstract link.
There is no specific limit to the number of papers displayed on the website, but it is essential that all papers are closely related to the main research line of the group. This helps strengthen the group's credibility and shows the research activity and diversity.
All academic members of the group should have published papers in this field. Graduate students who have not yet published their research are exempt. However, once their research is published, it should be added to the site.
Group Members
Research Group Members:
The first name listed should be that of the Principal Investigator (PI), who is responsible for leading and directing the research. When displaying the PI’s name, titles like “Dr.” or “Professor” should not be used to avoid focusing on social status and instead emphasize academic contribution.
The order of names is determined by the Principal Investigator.
Including visiting professors or honorary members adds academic value to the group and demonstrates research collaboration.
High-quality and professional images should be used for all group members. The images should reflect the academic and professional nature of the members, showing them in formal or semi-formal attire.
Formatting Tip: It is recommended to use square images with the same dimensions for all pictures to maintain a consistent appearance.
For academic members, include their academic rank, university name, and the country of the university (e.g., Associate Professor, Assistant Professor), along with the university and department name.
For non-academic members (such as participants from the private sector and vital sectors), list their professional title, workplace, and country.
Ensure all external links to the group’s website are included. It is important to list each member’s name and university properly, including their department. For internal university members, include links to their profiles on platforms such as Orcid, LinkedIn, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate.
A brief biography for each group member should be included, accessible by clicking on their name.
Important Note on Group Composition:
The total number of members in the research group should not exceed 10, including the Principal Investigator, the international member, the member from the vital sector, and the graduate student.
Important Note: After the research group is created, if the Principal Investigator wishes to add a member from inside the University of Jordan, they must inform the Deanship of Scientific Research (Assistant Dean for Research) via an official email. The request should justify the addition by showing its relevance to the research line and the shared research interests between the new member and the research group. This must be done before the group has been officially approved, and the member count has been completed.
Projects
Only Supported Projects:
Displaying these projects helps enhance the group’s credibility, showcases its research capabilities, and demonstrates its contributions to advancing science and society. It also highlights the group’s ability to manage large projects and collaborate with various entities for support. These projects reflect the group’s activity, productivity, and the extent of its impact in the research field it operates in.
Ongoing Funded Projects (Internal or External)
This section is for projects that are still in progress and should be presented as follows:
Project Name: Clearly and prominently displayed.
Support Entity: Mention the entity providing financial or logistical support.
Research Significance and Objectives.
Amount of Support: Example: "$250,000".
Start Date and Expected End Date: Specify when the project began and when it is expected to end.
Completed Funded Projects (Internal or External)
This section is for projects that have been successfully completed. The details to include are as follows:
Project Name.
Support Entity.
Amount of Support: Example: "$100,000".
Research Significance and Objectives.
Start Date and End Date: Example: "Started in March 2021 and ended in March 2023."
Major Scientific Results and Achievements: This section is crucial and should provide a brief summary of the key results and accomplishments from the project.
Each project should include a short description below its name that explains its goal briefly. You can also add links to related research papers or presentations for more detailed information. Real project images should also be included.
Media
Adding images and videos related to the research group enhances the appeal of the website and makes its content more interactive. These media help visitors get a realistic view of the research group, its environment, activities, and objectives. It also reflects the professionalism of the group and highlights the passion of its members, boosting public trust in the group and its research.
Images: These can include a variety of activities, such as pictures of members conducting experiments in the lab, photos from conferences and events the group participated in, or illustrative images of research projects.
The images should be high quality and represent the academic and professional nature of the group. It is important that lighting and details are clear, and that the image does not focus on just one group member.
You can also add images of graphs or interactive maps to support the information presented about the group’s research projects and activities.
Videos:
Videos can include clips of group members discussing their research ideas, current projects, or achievements they have accomplished. The videos may also include explanatory footage showing the lab setups, equipment used, or the stages of implementing research projects. Television interviews can also be beneficial.
It is recommended that videos be filmed in high definition with clear audio. Using professional cameras or modern recording tools is a good practice to ensure content quality.
Videos should be uploaded to a YouTube link. If you do not have an account, we at the Deanship of Scientific Research can upload it to the Deanship’s account. Please contact us for this purpose.
The video should be organized and cover the main points clearly and directly. If a group member is speaking about the group, it is preferable that the video includes an introduction to the group’s objectives, current projects, and any notable challenges or achievements.
It is recommended that the videos be short (2-5 minutes) to maintain the viewers' interest, unless the video is a comprehensive presentation or a tour of the laboratories.
Adding annotations or short text in the videos to clarify important points is also recommended.
Please note that videos consisting only of slides from parts of the website will not be accepted.
News and Activities:
This section should include all news related to the research group, such as participation in academic events, organizing seminars, workshops, and scientific visits, whether internal or international. Information should be presented in a way that makes it easy for visitors to learn about the group’s recent activities and its dynamism.
It is recommended to include event dates, event names, and any essential details such as the speakers or partners involved in the event.
Illustrative images can be used for each activity, accompanied by a brief caption describing the activity, for example: "Research visit to the Environmental Studies Center."
It is preferable to organize activities chronologically, with the most recent events at the top for easy access.
Conferences and Seminars
Conference Information:
All conferences in which the group or any of its members has participated should be listed, with a highlight of their role in the conference, whether it was presenting a research paper, chairing a session, or simply attending.
Details of Participation:
It is important to clarify the type of participation (e.g., presenting a research paper, participating in a discussion panel). A brief summary of the presented paper should also be included, covering its objective, methodology used, and the key findings reached.
Outcomes of Participation:
It is advisable to mention the impact resulting from the participation, such as recommendations or new ideas discussed, or future collaborations that emerged from the event.
Images and Documents:
Images from the conference or links to presentation files (e.g., PowerPoint) or full papers can be added, allowing visitors to explore the content of the participation in greater depth.
Updating Icons and Sections for Websites Created Before 1.8.2024
For websites created before August 1, 2024, please update the icons and content of the following sections:
Partnership (الشراكات)
Student Research (أبحاث الطلاب)
Achievements (الإنجازات)
Resources (الموارد المتاحة)
Partnerships
This section should focus on the collaboration of the research group with various institutions such as research centers, companies, or government bodies to enhance the quality of the research.
Provide specific examples of current or proposed future partnerships.
Explain how these collaborations contribute to achieving the goals of the research group.
Highlight joint projects with these institutions, whether in the form of shared funding, technical support, or provision of research facilities.
Emphasize the importance of partnerships in fostering innovation and expanding the scope and impact of research.
The partnerships should be organized as follows:
Partnerships with Jordanian Government Sector
Partnerships with Jordanian Private Sector
International Partnerships
Each section should include:
A brief explanation of the partnership
A link to the partner's website
A logo or image representing the partner
Student Research
This section should focus on the involvement of students in the research projects of the group and how they contribute to scientific research.
Explain the types of opportunities available to students (e.g., conducting experiments, data analysis, or writing research papers).
For each student involved in research, include:
The student's thesis title and supervisor’s name.
Attach a photo of the student or their work (e.g., from a thesis defense or presentation).
Include a link to the published research paper, if available.
Mention whether the group offers scholarships, internships, or opportunities for academic publication.
Highlight any student research aligned with the group's research focus to emphasize the group’s role in developing future research skills.
Achievements
This section should spotlight the key successes of the research group, such as patents, awards, and honors.
Clearly explain how these achievements reflect the quality and impact of the group’s research.
Mention any individual or group recognitions, such as awards or rankings received by the members of the group.
Highlight how these achievements demonstrate the group’s influence within the scientific community and its academic reputation.
Resources
In this section, clarify the resources available to support the research activities of the group, including:
Laboratories, equipment, specialized software, and research funding.
If there are exclusive or unique resources available to the group, be sure to mention them.
Describe how these resources are used to conduct high-level research and produce desired outcomes (e.g., using specific equipment for precise experiments or specialized software for data analysis).
For each resource, include:
An image of the resource (e.g., equipment, systems, laboratories).
A description below the image explaining the resource’s function and significance.
Make sure to include resources from all group members, whether they are from internal university staff, international members, or partners from the private sector.
Technical Assistance from the Deanship of Scientific Research
The Deanship is fully available to assist you with any technical matters related to the website and its design.
How to Edit Your Research Group's Website Content (Step-by-Step Guide)
Prepared by: Reham Dannoun
You can follow this guide for a step-by-step process on how to edit the content of your research group's website to ensure it stays up-to-date and reflective of your activities.
Step 5: Meeting with the Research Group Accreditation Committee for the Approval of the Group’s Website
This meeting aims to discuss the research group's website with the principal researcher and all team members to ensure the site’s readiness and content compliance with the established standards.
Goal of the Meeting:
To verify the readiness of the research group in the following areas:
Clarity of the group’s vision and academic identity.
Quality of content displayed on the website.
Organization of teamwork and role distribution within the team.
Group’s readiness for local and international research activities.
What the Principal Researcher and Team Members Should Prepare Before the Meeting:
Presentation of the Website Content
Present the final official website of the group and ensure its readiness.
Review the main sections of the website, including:
Group name.
Research group goals.
Team members.
Current publications and projects.
Partnerships, achievements, and resources.
Student contributions and training opportunities.
Highlighting the Team’s Expertise and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Emphasizing Partnerships
Discussing the Activation Plan
How will the website be updated continuously?
Who will be responsible for the maintenance?
How will research activities and future results be displayed?
Ensuring All Pages Comply with the Conditions mentioned in Phase 4 (website development guidelines).