Determining Participation in Undergraduate Research Experiences and the Associated Impact on the University
Date
April 2020
Description
Significant research efforts have been directed at the impact of participation in research, scholarship, and creative activities (URSCA), however, it remains a challenge for individual universities to capture these experiences on their respective campuses. The benefits to the university are increased student GPA, retention, progression, graduation rates, and continuation into graduate degree programs. Determining even a seemingly simple number, such as “the count”, i.e. how many students participate, is difficult. Various disciplines use different terminology including research, internships, capstones, scholarship, creative activities, performances, and co-ops. Our institution is evaluating the impact of URSCA through data pooled from three sources. These data pools are student reported data through the National Survey of Student Engagement, faculty reported data through our annual reporting system, and objective participation data through our office of undergraduate research. This presentation will explain our methodology for determining URSCA participation and initial results of the impact on students.
Presentation Type
Presentation
Determining Participation in Undergraduate Research Experiences and the Associated Impact on the University
Significant research efforts have been directed at the impact of participation in research, scholarship, and creative activities (URSCA), however, it remains a challenge for individual universities to capture these experiences on their respective campuses. The benefits to the university are increased student GPA, retention, progression, graduation rates, and continuation into graduate degree programs. Determining even a seemingly simple number, such as “the count”, i.e. how many students participate, is difficult. Various disciplines use different terminology including research, internships, capstones, scholarship, creative activities, performances, and co-ops. Our institution is evaluating the impact of URSCA through data pooled from three sources. These data pools are student reported data through the National Survey of Student Engagement, faculty reported data through our annual reporting system, and objective participation data through our office of undergraduate research. This presentation will explain our methodology for determining URSCA participation and initial results of the impact on students.
Comments
This oral presentation is based on an individual research project.