What is Undergraduate Research?

Undergraduate research (UGR) is an endeavor in which a college student collaborates with a professor or other researcher, to investigate a particular topic or issue of practical or scholarly significance. Bauer and Bennett (2003) define it as a method of social and academic integration of faculty research into the education of undergraduates outside of the classroom. Participation in undergraduate research typically facilitates the students’ application and extension of knowledge acquired in the classroom and textbooks to real-life problems and issues using any combination of the most current technology, equipment, theories, information, and resources. The goals of UGR are to promote students’ learning and inquiry, increase engagement with faculty and the university, develop future researchers, and to engage students in developing new knowledge and advancing the field. Findings from various research studies assert that UGR participation improves students’ academic outcomes, stimulates their interest and persistence in their field of study, and stimulates and maintains interest in pursuing advanced and terminal degrees (Edwards, Jones, Wapstra, & Richardson, 2007; Healey & Jenkins, 2009).