Tips on Undergraduate Research
- Read about faculty research using links from this website to connect you to the full faculty bios of those who interest you most.
- For help setting priorities and honing your strategy, make an appointment to talk about your interest with the director of leadership and undergraduate research, Directors of Undergraduate Studies.
- Think broadly about your experience. Faculty seek students who are seriously interested in the learning research provides. They want students with a strong work ethic, who are organized, assertive and willing to work independently. They expect to teach you the specifics of their research.
- Know how you prefer to be compensated: Typically, students do research for credit, taking a 401 in the department of their research advisor and using this experience to substitute for one regular course; however some students do research for pay and a few begin as volunteers.
- Be willing to do research for credit at first; not all professors will be willing or able to pay you right away.
- Email professors whose research interests you and ask to meet with them.
- Be familiar with the professor’s research prior to meeting with him/her.
- Have a resume ready to give to the professor for later reference.
- Talk to your faculty advisor, or professors with whom you have classes. Their research may interest you or they may be able to help you find a research position with one of their colleagues.
- Take a chance. Some professors may not have room in their labs when you want to start working; if you express enough interest they may find room for you or give you a position the following semester.
- Take statistics and a research methods course as early in your program as feasible. Work in both areas will enable you to do more sophisticated and independent tasks.
- If you are a science student, many research programs require a basic coursework in biology and chemistry. For many other research experiences specific coursework is less important.
- Ask for help. Contact the director of leadership and undergraduate research, Brenda Bricker, to schedule an appointment.
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