Learning to Become Researchers: Lessons Learned from a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program Focused on Research in the Psychological Sciences with Real-World Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-22
Author(s):  
Patricia R. DeLucia ◽  
Amanda L. Woods ◽  
Jeong-Hee Kim ◽  
Ngan Nguyen ◽  
Eugene W. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Homeland Security ◽  
Real World ◽  
National Science Foundation ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
National Science ◽  
National Science Foundation Research

This research study at a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates site focuses on psychological research with applications to the real world. Two cohorts of undergraduates engaged in rigorous research projects on, e.g., driving, homeland security, relationships, human-computer interaction, language comprehension and production, discrimination, and health psychology. Results indicated that students and mentors perceived an improvement in the students' research skills.

Geochemistry and pollution

1979 ◽  
Vol 288 (1026) ◽  
pp. 179-184
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Pollution Control ◽  
National Science Foundation ◽  
State Agencies ◽  
Transport Pathways ◽  
The Past ◽  
Pollution Research ◽  
National Science ◽  
National Science Foundation Research ◽  
Research Findings

During the past 7 years, the National Science Foundation-Research Applied to National Needs (R. A. N. N.) programme has supported extensive interdisciplinary research concerned with Pb, Cd and other hazardous trace metals. Various aspects of geochemistry and pollution research at the universities of Missouri, Illinois, Colorado State and Purdue are presented and summarized. The transport, pathways and distribution of Pb, Cd and other trace metals are discussed and the utilization of research findings by government and state agencies for the development of standards and by industries for pollution control are presented.

scholarly journals DEVELOPMENT OF A NEARSHORE EXTREME EVENTS RECONNAISSANCE COMMUNITY

2020 ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Britt Raubenheimer
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
National Science Foundation ◽  
Data Distribution ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
National Network ◽  
Land System ◽  
National Science ◽  
The U.S

Extreme events have significant impacts on the nearshore water-land system - where ocean, sound, and estuary processes interact with the nearby land - that pose high risk to society. Observations before, during, and after these events are critical to improve understanding of the interactions and feedbacks among the natural and built environments during major storms, and the corresponding human actions and reactions. The goal of the Nearshore Extreme Events Reconnaissance (NEER) Association is to organize and coordinate a national network of scientists spanning many disciplines to perform rapid, pre-and post-event site characterization, to deploy instruments to observe event processes, and to gather virtual data about the event and provide support to field teams. This presentation provides information about NEER's motivation, event-response and coordination activities, data-distribution plans, and lessons learned to date. Funding for NEER is provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation Coastlines and People Program.Recorded Presentation from the vICCE (YouTube Link): https://youtu.be/9I9Z3OLGszU

Engaging Underrepresented Undergraduates in Engineering Through a Hands-On Automotive-Themed REU Program

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laila Guessous ◽  
Qian Zou ◽  
Brian Sangeorzan ◽  
J. David Schall ◽  
Gary Barber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Department Of Defense ◽  
National Science Foundation ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Program Directors ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Related Research ◽  
Hands On ◽  
National Science

Since the summer of 2006, the department of Mechanical Engineering at Oakland University (OU) has been organizing a research experience for undergraduates (REU) program that has been successful at recruiting underrepresented undergraduates in engineering — women in particular. Funded in 2006–2009 and in 2010–2013 through the National Science Foundation REU program and the Department of Defense ASSURE program, this summer REU program focuses on automotive and energy-related research projects. The main purpose of this paper is to share our 6-year experience of organizing and running a summer REU program and to report on the outcomes and short/medium-term assessment results of the program. Also included are some recommendations that we would make to further enhance the success of similar REU programs. We believe that this type of information could prove to be of value to other REU program directors and faculty seeking to organize similar programs.

Outcomes from a research experience for undergraduates (REU) program focused on behavioral research with real-world implications

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 1156-1156
Author(s):  
Patricia R. DeLucia ◽  
Jeong-Hee Kim ◽  
Ngan Nguyen ◽  
Eugene W. Wang ◽  
James Yang
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Real World ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Research Skills ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
National Science Foundation Research

The current study examined a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site which provided research training to eight female undergraduates. Although it is well known that undergraduate research experiences benefit students and help them pursue careers in science (e.g., Eagan et al., 2011; Taraban & Logue, 2012; Willis et al., 2013), it is important for students to recognize the association between their research and real-world issues (ASHA, 2015; Rhoten & Pfirman, 2007). Human Factors/Ergonomics provides rich opportunities to enhance research experiences for undergraduates. In the current study, students conducted research focused on real-world implications with topics such as driving, human-robot interaction, and relationships. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed to assess the effectiveness of the training. Measures included students’ ratings on the Undergraduate Research Questionnaire and the Kardash Ratings of Interns’ Research Skills; diaries of training experiences, and semi-structured interviews. Students and their faculty mentors perceived improvements in the students’ research skills after the completion of the training program. In addition, the students described positive experiences from the training and thought they gained preparation for their careers. The strengths and weakness of the training program that were identified by the students will be useful to improve REUs that are conducted in the future. In conclusion, consistent with prior research, undergraduate research training (or experience) focused on real-world applications was effective.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document