More Like this

1. An Exploration across Institution Types of Undergraduate Life Sciences Student Decisions to Stay in or Leave an Academic-Year Research Experience

   https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.21-04-0108  

   Gin, Logan E.; Clark, Carolyn E.; Elliott, Deanna B.; Roderick, Travis B.; Scott, Rachel A.; Arellano, Denisse; Ramirez, Diana; Vargas, Cindy; Velarde, Kimberly; Aeschliman, Allyson; et al (September 2021, CBE—Life Sciences Education)

   Spell, Rachelle (Ed.)

   Undergraduate research is one of the most valuable activities an undergraduate can engage in because of its benefits, and studies have shown that longer experiences are more beneficial. However, prior research has illuminated that undergraduates encounter challenges that may cause them to exit research prematurely. These studies have been almost exclusively conducted at research-intensive (R1) institutions, and it is unclear whether such challenges are generalizable to other institution types. To address this, we extended a study previously conducted at public R1 institutions. In the current study, we analyze data from 1262 students across 25 public R1s, 12 private R1s, 30 master’s-granting institutions, and 20 primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) to assess 1) to what extent institution type predicts students’ decisions to persist in undergraduate research and 2) what factors affect students’ decisions to either stay in or consider leaving their undergraduate research experiences (UREs) at different institution types. We found students at public R1s are more likely to leave their UREs compared with students at master’s-granting institutions and PUIs. However, there are few differences in why students enrolled at different institution types consider leaving or choose to stay in their UREs. This work highlights the importance of studying undergraduate research across institutions. 

   more » « less
2. Conducting research at primarily undergraduate institutions

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101255  

   Ball, Nicholas D; Gomez, Maria A; Rempel, Brian P; Farkas, Elaine R; Makal, Tori E; Shields, George C; Parish, Carol A; Tresca, Blakely W; McGinitie, Elizabeth G (February 2023, Cell Reports Physical Science)

   Undergraduate research and education are critical parts of the scientific ecosystem. Professors at primarily undergraduate institutions ({PUIs}) bear responsibility for molding young scientists while carrying out high quality research. In this Voices piece, researchers offer inspiring replies to the following prompt: in your role as a professor, what are the challenges and opportunities when conducting research at a {PUI}?}, 

   more » « less
3. Importance of Undergraduate Research: Efficacy and Student Perceptions

   https://doi.org/10.18260/p.25599  

   Kaul, Sudhir; Ferguson, Chip; Yanik, Paul; Yan, Yanjun (June 2016, American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition)

   Undergraduate research has emerged as a high-impact approach that can be used to enhance student engagement and to enrich student learning experiences. It is observed in the literature that undergraduate research can have an impact on student retention, and possibly attract women and ethnic minorities to science-related disciplines while playing an important role in the determination of career paths for participating students. While there are multiple studies on the impact of undergraduate research in social sciences and sciences, there is limited literature in the engineering disciplines. The limited volume of literature may be attributed to multiple reasons such as a significant emphasis on mathematics and science in the first two years of engineering curriculum, a strict sequential degree path, and a lack of flexibility in the program requirements. Engineering students often report difficulty in relating the theoretical content of the first few semesters to actual engineering applications. This study proposes the introduction of undergraduate research as a possible means of overcoming these student perceptions by introducing students to well-defined research projects at an early stage of their undergraduate degree program. The primary focus of this study is to understand student perceptions about the efficacy of undergraduate research in the engineering and engineering technology disciplines. Survey results from twenty six students involved in undergraduate research as part of the requirements for a scholarship program are presented and evaluated. Subjective evaluations from a few faculty members involved in mentoring some of these undergraduate researchers are also discussed. Although both students and faculty mentors agree that undergraduate research can be a highly valuable experience, it is commonly acknowledged that there are quite a few factors that are crucial in making the experience meaningful. 

   more » « less
4. Maintaining a high degree of research productivity at a predominately undergraduate institution as your career advances

   https://doi.org/10.1002/qua.26370  

   Shields, George C.; Feller, Scott E. (July 2020, International Journal of Quantum Chemistry)

   Abstract In this perspective, two experienced academic administrators who are computational chemists discuss strategies for how to maintain an active research program at a predominately undergraduate institution as your career progresses. More responsibility equates to less time for research, so planning for research to remain a priority is essential. We all have the same amount of time, so figuring out how to use yours better is the key to remaining active. Professional organizations such as Council on Undergraduate Research, consortia of computational chemists such as Molecular Education and Research Consortium in computational chemistRY and Midwest Undergraduate Computational Chemistry Consortium, and attendance at professional conferences can help sustain your research program. Collaborations with faculty at other institutions provide a particularly effective accountability mechanism as well. Perhaps the best way to improve your productivity is to become a better mentor to your undergraduate students. Building a research group that is fun and exciting develops a culture that sustains itself and provides the momentum necessary to maintain progress toward scientific goals. 

   more » « less
5. In-Class Workshops to Teach Introductory Biology Students about Undergraduate Research

   https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2024.1  

   Pennino, Eric; McDonald, Kelly (January 2024, CourseSource)

   Decades of evidence support the premise that undergraduate research experiences are valuable endeavors for science students; however, a lack of knowledge about research and how to get involved can preclude equitable participation. We developed two in-class workshops to teach introductory biology students about undergraduate research experiences. In the first workshop, students are introduced to various types of undergraduate research, including faculty-mentored research, Course Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), summer research experiences and research-related jobs and internships. Students hear first-hand accounts about research from undergraduates actively performing research and learn about the benefits and challenges associated with participating. In the second workshop, students learn how to effectively identify and secure research opportunities and engage in an exercise that teaches them how to write a professional email to potential research advisors. Students also work together to develop strategies for building resilience if faced with rejection from a faculty member or internship/job opportunity. The workshops utilize student speakers, think-pair-share activities, and class discussions to engage and inform students. By the end of the workshops, all students are familiar with undergraduate research and have the knowledge and skills needed to identify and secure a research opportunity. The workshops were designed for introductory biology students but can be adapted for students in related majors or at different stages of the academic journey. 

   more » « less