Undergraduate research enhances the learning experience of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Undergraduate Research in the Sciences offers a groundbreaking and practical research-based book on the topic. This comprehensive resource addresses how undergraduate research benefits undergraduate participants, including those populations that are underrepresented in the sciences; compares its benefits with other types of educational activities and experiences; and assesses its long-term value to students and faculty as both a scholarly and educational endeavor. In laying out the processes by which these benefits are achieved, this important book can assist faculty and program directors with practical guidance for design and evaluation of both new and existing undergraduate research programs. Praise for Undergraduate Research in the Sciences "e;This meticulous, definitive study of the effects of working with a faculty member on research as an undergraduate confirms the overall value of the experience by taking us deep into the minds and actions of participants both faculty and students. As a result we now have many more compelling reasons to get more students involved with research mentors and ways to optimize the benefits for all parties."e; George D. Kuh, Chancellor's Professor and director, Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research "e;This timely book offers a unique, comprehensive analysis of undergraduate research in the sciences, based on the voices of college students and faculty mentors who have participated in these voyages of discovery. As our nation struggles to train more scientists, this book will be a valuable resource for designing undergraduate research experiences that can build our country's capacity for discovery and innovation."e; Arthur B. Ellis, Vice Chancellor for Research, University of California, San Diego "e;The text is written in a lucid and engaging style and will be a valuable guide to policymakers, academic administrators, and faculty members who want to find ways to engage undergraduates in the 'real work' of investigation."e; Judith A. Ramaley, president, Winona State University "e;This book is a 'must-read' for anyone who directs undergraduates in research. It presents an impressive and rigorous body of work that brings fresh insights into the field of undergraduate research. The next generation of scientists will benefit greatly from the findings and recommendations!"e; Jo Handelsman, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, Yale University

Undergraduate research enhances the learning experience ofstudents in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.Undergraduate Research in the Sciences offers a groundbreaking andpractical research-based book on the topic. This comprehensiveresource addresses how undergraduate research benefitsundergraduate participants, including those populations that areunderrepresented in the sciences; compares its benefits with othertypes of educational activities and experiences; and assesses itslong-term value to students and faculty as both a scholarly andeducational endeavor.In laying out the processes by which these benefits areachieved, this important book can assist faculty and programdirectors with practical guidance for design and evaluation of bothnew and existing undergraduate research programs.Praise for Undergraduate Research in the Sciences"This meticulous, definitive study of the effects of workingwith a faculty member on research as an undergraduate confirms theoverall value of the experience by taking us deep into the mindsand actions of participants--both faculty and students. As aresult we now have many more compelling reasons to get morestudents involved with research mentors and ways to optimize thebenefits for all parties."--George D. Kuh, Chancellor'sProfessor and director, Indiana University Center for PostsecondaryResearch"This timely book offers a unique, comprehensive analysis ofundergraduate research in the sciences, based on the voices ofcollege students and faculty mentors who have participated in thesevoyages of discovery. As our nation struggles to train morescientists, this book will be a valuable resource for designingundergraduate research experiences that can build our country'scapacity for discovery and innovation."--Arthur B. Ellis, ViceChancellor for Research, University of California, San Diego"The text is written in a lucid and engaging style and will be avaluable guide to policymakers, academic administrators, andfaculty members who want to find ways to engage undergraduates inthe 'real work' of investigation."--Judith A. Ramaleypresident, Winona State University"This book is a 'must-read' for anyone who directsundergraduates in research. It presents an impressive and rigorousbody of work that brings fresh insights into the field ofundergraduate research. The next generation of scientists willbenefit greatly from the findings and recommendations!"--JoHandelsman, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, YaleUniversity

The Authors ixForeword xiiiPreface xviiAcknowledgments xxiii1 What Is Undergraduate Research, and Why Does It Matter? 12 What Is Known About the Student Outcomes of Undergraduate Research? 233 What Do Students Gain from Conducting Research? 414 Are the Gains from Research Unique? 675 What Are the Career and Longer-Term Impacts of Undergraduate Research? 896 How Do Minority Students Benefit from Research? 1137 How Do Research Advisors Work with Students? 1358 How Do Research Advisors Mentor, Advise, and Evaluate Students? 1659 What Are the Costs and Benefits to Research Advisors? 17910 Summary, Implications, and Issues for the Future 201Appendix A: Interview Samples 221Appendix B: Research Design and Methodology 227Appendix C: Interview Protocols 235Appendix D: Detailed Frequency Counts for 251Observations of Student GainsReferences 259Index 277