Getting Started

Undergraduate Research CenterMorris Hall 265

507-389-5191

Students who engage in “high-impact” educational practices, especially undergraduate research, show significantly greater learning outcomes than similar students without those opportunities.

The High Impact Practice of Undergraduate Research

(Astin, 1997; Bauer & Bennett, 2003; Brownell & Swaner, 2010; Kuh, 2008)

• The benefits are most pronounced for students who have been underrepresented in higher education:

• students of color (11.9%)• low-income students (26.9%)• first-generation students (45.2%)

(Gonzales, 2006; Gregerman, 1999; Locks & Gregerman, 2008; Nagda, Gurin & Lopez, 2003 )

• Students who learn research skills do better than their peers in the areas employers value most.

• Half of employers surveyed in 2012 by The Chronicle of Higher Ed and public radio’s Marketplace said they had trouble finding college grads qualified to fill positions.

•(Fischer, 2013)

Why Research?

• Transform your educational experience

• Build strong faculty collaborations

• Build confidence

• Alter your view of yourself and the world 

Why Should I do Research?

Prepare for Professional work Prepare for Graduate work

< Bridge the gap between field work and research< Apply knowledge back to the field

The Mission of the URC

To actively engage faculty and students in mentoring relationships that enable students to participate directly in the research process from its inception, through the dissemination of new knowledge, so that students ultimately view themselves as participants in a community of scholars.

Research= research, scholarly and creative activities

How To Find a Faculty Mentor

• Ask your faculty advisor

• Ask other students

• Ask your class instructors

• Look at university webpages

• Attend campus seminars

• ScholarBridge

• http://www.mnsu.edu/urc/find_mentor.html

What “research” should I do?

Does it matter what discipline I do research in?

< Biology< Exercise Science< Education< Psychology< Speech Audiology< Special Education

• Define your research interests

• Determine which subject most interests you

• Think about your goals, such as acquiring a specific set of skills

• Read about the faculty mentor's research program

• Look at the URC Proceedings to see what previous students have worked on

Developing Your Project

Funding Your Project

• Minnesota State Foundation Student Research Awards

• NorthStar STEM Alliance Awards• Undergraduate Research Center grants• Travel Grants• Departmental/College grants

Completing Your Project

• Prepare an oral presentation• Design and print a poster• Perform or display your creative project• Write a manuscript

Apply to Present Your Findings

• Call for National Conference of Undergraduate Research abstracts: Oct 5 – Dec 2

• MSU Mankato’s Undergraduate Research Symposium applications: Mar 4

• MN Undergraduate Scholars Conference: Mar 4

• Posters at St. Paul • February 25, 2016 in St. Paul, MN (tentative)

• National Conference of Undergraduate Research • April 7-9, 2016 at University of North

Carolina at Asheville

• MN Undergraduate Scholars Conference• April 4, 2016 at WSU, Winona

• Undergraduate Research Symposium • April 18, 2016 at MSU, Mankato

Attend a Conference

• Journal of Undergraduate Research• http://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/jur/

• If not at MNSU, then where?

http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp

Submit Your Work

Contact

URC Director: Karla Lassonde Administrative Assistant: Sadie

Anderson Graduate Assistants:

Cassandra Schreiber and Felicia VandeNest

urc@mnsu.edu