A Comparison of Two Different Strategies for Undergraduate Research Within the Framework of a Rotor Dynamics Laboratory

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Meagher ◽  
Xi Wu
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Rotor Dynamics ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Directed Research

Introductory graduate level courses and upper division technical electives often present a student with his or her first research project. Time limitations of a course require a balance between open ended discovery, development of specialized technical knowledge, and teaching the mechanics of research methodology. The case study presented in this paper is an outline of two different strategies to introduce research to undergraduate students within the framework of a rotor dynamics laboratory. The laboratory had historically been designed to demonstrate machinery malfunctions in a series of short exercises. The laboratory was changed to have several introductory labs designed to prepare students for an extended self-directed research project that included literature searches, paper reviews, design of experiments, and presentation of research findings to the class. In one strategy the students were expected to practice discovery primarily through experimentation with specific, restricted goals. In the other strategy the students were given more flexibility defining the research question and in establishing priorities. Both projects had students design an experiment whose results were compared to mathematical simulations and each led to research that was presented at a conference. Although both were considered successful in terms of student learning and research outcomes, a balance biased toward experimentation and restricted student options for discovery actually led to broader research findings and more in-depth student research but with less student appreciation for and practice with the necessary preliminary stages of conducting research. The student learning experiences and methodologies for each scenario are presented and compared in this paper.

scholarly journals Early year undergraduate researchers’ reflections on the values and perceived costs of their research experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaye D. Ceyhan ◽  
John W. Tillotson
Keyword(s):  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Value Theory ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Expectancy Value ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Future Work

Abstract Background Prior research reported that motivational beliefs that individuals attach to specific tasks predict continuing interest and persistence in the task. A motivational approach may be particularly useful for understanding undergraduate students’ engagement with research in their first and second years in college. The current study utilizes the expectancy-value theory of achievement motivation to qualitatively explore how much and in what ways early year undergraduate researchers value their research experience and what kinds of costs they associate with it. Results The results revealed that intrinsic value had the highest expression in participants’ motivation to engage in research. The second most expressed value type was the utility value of undergraduate research with regards to obtaining the desired outcomes, and attainment value played the least important role in participants’ motivation to engage in research. Findings also indicated that some of the participants associated a cost(s) to their research experience. The highest mentioned perceived cost was opportunity cost, where participants commented on losing other valued alternatives when engaging in research. Participants commented on the time, effort, or amount of work needed to engage in research, and a few participants commented on the emotional cost associated with their research experience in terms of the fear of failure. Conclusion As perceived cost is the least studied in the expectancy-value framework, this study contributes to cost values within college students, particularly about early year undergraduate researchers. The findings of this study can form the basis for future work on exploring ways to increase the values and decrease the costs students experience in their undergraduate research experiences.

Creating and Implementing a Mixed Method Research Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 604-613
Author(s):  
Mette L. Baran ◽  
Janice E. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Core Characteristics

This chapter serves as a guideline for outlining the core characteristics of mixed methods research (MMR) and the various steps researchers undertake in order to conduct a research study. The purpose is to create a worksheet assisting the researcher step by step from beginning to end following the seven steps to conducting research. While the focus is on MMR the steps are similar for any type of research methodology. It is important to note that MMR is not a limiting form of research. Researchers need a MMR question and a mixed methods purpose statement for the research project. This chapter will also help explain why mixed method research is one of the best approaches in answering a research question. Finally, the chapter includes a suggestion to the importance of adding a visual diagram of the MMR into the research project and into the final report.

Creating and Implementing a Mixed Method Research Study

2016 ◽  
pp. 293-302
Author(s):  
Mette L. Baran ◽  
Janice E. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Core Characteristics

This chapter serves as a guideline for outlining the core characteristics of mixed methods research (MMR) and the various steps researchers undertake in order to conduct a research study. The purpose is to create a worksheet assisting the researcher step by step from beginning to end following the seven steps to conducting research. While the focus is on MMR the steps are similar for any type of research methodology. It is important to note that MMR is not a limiting form of research. Researchers need a MMR question and a mixed methods purpose statement for the research project. This chapter will also help explain why mixed method research is one of the best approaches in answering a research question. Finally, the chapter includes a suggestion to the importance of adding a visual diagram of the MMR into the research project and into the final report.

scholarly journals Undergraduate Research as a High Impact Practice in Higher Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Shari Lanning ◽  
Mark Brown
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Research Initiatives ◽  
High Impact Practice

Higher education research indicates that student engagement is the most critical factor in retention programs for undergraduate students (Upcraft, Gardner and Barefoot, 2005; Tinto, 2012; Pascarella, Seifert, and Whitt, 2008). These studies illustrate that if students do not feel engaged, they are at high risk for leaving their institution prematurely. Among high impact practices, undergraduate research has been shown to have the most positive effects with regard to promoting student engagement (Kuh, 2018; Kuh, 2008). Herein we highlight the use of mentored research as a high impact practice in undergraduate education, Further, we call upon the education community to share their models, approaches, observations, and research findings related to undergraduate research initiatives.

scholarly journals Vigilante Innovation (VIX): case study on the development of student skills through a team-based design process and environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendra H. Oliver ◽  
Jonathan D. Ehrman ◽  
Christina C. Marasco
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Design Framework ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Stem Fields ◽  
Student Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Many undergraduate students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields lack experience in collaborative thinking, limiting their effectiveness as they enter careers in academic and industrial environments. The SyBBURE Searle Undergraduate Research Program has incorporated a team-based design component into its curriculum to fill this gap in training. This design framework, called Vigilante Innovation (VIX) to highlight its emphasis on self-initiation and action, has evolved into a multi-semester-long group undertaking that combines just-in-time training in entrepreneurship and project design with student-driven collaborations aimed at solving a real-world problem. We hypothesize that this framework provides a hands-on, realistic workplace simulation task through which students can develop an understanding of teamwork. Results Using a case-study approach, we discuss the development of the VIX design framework since its inception in 2014 and assess the impact of the VIX framework on student learning and growth using a student survey from 2016 to 2017 and student interviews from 2018. Conclusions A flexible approach, an annualized project timeline, a student-driven prototyping space, and self-selecting project areas emerged as key contributors to the successful implementation of the VIX design and to deepened student learning. The diversity of VIX teams, the self-reported success of student projects, and student interviews indicate that students who participate in VIX possess an in-depth understanding of team-based strategies. These findings support the VIX framework as an effective method of providing undergraduates in STEM fields with efficient and meaningful exposure to the team-based entrepreneurial skills that are vital in their future careers. Additional work is needed to determine if this approach has a long-term impact on student success in team-based environments. The website vigilanteinnovation.com houses a customizable, freely available version of the design guide for educators and innovators alike.

Fostering Undergraduate Research Through Collaboration With Local Engineering Companies

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Schonning ◽  
Daniel Cox
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Impact Resistance ◽  
Engineering Industry ◽  
Mentoring Program ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Test Fixture ◽  
Test Configuration ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Pull Out

This paper discusses the importance of introducing the undergraduate engineering student to research; it provides examples on how research has been integrated with the curriculum, and how the local engineering industry provides engineering research projects for the students. One research project includes the development of a test fixture to be used in determining the pull-out strength of screws in a biomaterials substrate. Another example presented is the development of a test configuration for determining the under water impact resistance of acoustic windows. Furthermore, a research project will be presented on the creation, testing and analysis of bone cement specimens. Through these projects students learn valuable skills such as performing literature review of a technical topic, developing a statement of work, establishing a research plan, learning appropriate software and hardware tools, carefully documenting their work, analyzing results, writing papers, and presenting their work at conferences. This paper provides details on how these skills are developed through the students’ research experiences and how they will benefit the students upon graduation. In order to expose a large number of undergraduate students to research it is helpful to develop some form of a mentoring program where students learn from each other. The paper describes how this mentoring program is organized and provides details of how the students interact with their peers, the faculty members and representatives from the local industry.

scholarly journals Creative, Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research: An Educational Cell Biology Video Game Designed by Students for Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Isabelle Sperano ◽  
◽  
Ross Shaw ◽  
Robert Andruchow ◽  
Dana Cobzas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Biology Students ◽  
Interdisciplinary Practice ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
The Right

In a three-year, practice-based, creative research project, the team designed a video game for undergraduate biology students that aimed to find the right balance between educational content and entertainment. The project involved 7 faculty members and 14 undergraduate students from biological science, design, computer science, and music. This nontraditional approach to research was attractive to students. Working on an interdisciplinary practice-based research project required strategies related to timeline, recruitment, funding, team management, and mentoring. Although this project was time-consuming and full of challenges, it created meaningful learning experiences not only for students but also for faculty members.

scholarly journals Reflexivity in Qualitative Research: A Journey of Learning

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erlinda Palaganas ◽  
Marian Sanchez ◽  
Ma. Visitacion Molintas ◽  
Ruel Caricativo
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Research Process ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Conducting Research

Conducting research, more so, fieldwork, changes every researcher in many ways. This paper shares the various reflexivities – the journeys of learning – that we underwent as field researchers. Here, we share the changes brought about to ourselves, as a result of the research process, and how these changes have affected the research process. It highlights the journey of discovering how we, as researchers, shaped and how we were shaped by the research process and outputs. All these efforts were done in our attempts to discover and understand various social phenomena and issues such as poverty, development, gender, migration, and ill health in the Philippines. This article includes the challenges encountered in our epistemological stance/s and personal and methodological concerns shown in our reflexivity notes/insights. Indeed, it is when researchers acknowledge these changes, that reflexivity in research constitutes part of the research findings. It is through this consciousness of the relational and reflective nature of being aware of personal and methodological concerns that we honor ourselves, our teammates/co-researchers and all others involved with the research project. As researchers, we need to be cognizant of our contributions to the construction of meanings and of lived experiences throughout the research process. We need to acknowledge that indeed it is impossible to remain “outside of” one's study topic while conducting research.

scholarly journals The Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme: A co-created approach to transforming student learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth L Ayres ◽  
Christopher J Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Research Scholarship

The value of student as researcher/‘co-producer’ has been well documented in the research literature.  This case study outlines an institutional 'student as researcher' initiative that was introduced to enable the co-creation of research by undergraduate students working in partnership with members of academic staff.  The paper outlines the establishment and implementation of the scheme and offers a reflection upon and exploration of its perceived value, through the lens of staff and students who participated in it.

scholarly journals From Uncle Tom’s Cabin to “Countering Colston”: Slavery and Memory in a Transatlantic Undergraduate Research Project

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Reid-Maroney ◽  
Amy Bell ◽  
Neil Brooks ◽  
Olivette Otele ◽  
Richard White
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Public History ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Research Project ◽  
History And Memory ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Uncle Tom's Cabin ◽  
Student Researchers ◽  
The Uk

AbstractIn 2016–17 and in 2018–19, undergraduate students and faculty at Huron University College in London, Canada, and at Bath Spa University in the UK collaborated on an innovative community-based research project: Phantoms of the Past: Slavery and Resistance, History and Memory in the Atlantic World. Our paper outlines the structure of the project, highlights student research, and argues that the Phantoms undergraduate student researchers helped to create an innovative and important body of work on transatlantic Public History and local commemorative practice.

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