What Students Want in an Undergraduate Research Mentor
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Location
Burnett Honors College
Start Date
25-9-2009 5:15 PM
End Date
25-9-2009 6:45 PM
Description/Abstract
Most students enter into an undergraduate research experience seeking personal growth and items to enhance their resume (Whitten & Mottarella, 2008). The vast majority of undergraduates who participate in research have a positive experience. They report gains of different kinds including personal/ professional gains, increased knowledge of the research/scientific process, acquiring new skills, advancing career plans and preparing for these (see Seymour, Hunter, Laursen, & Deantoni, 2004, for a review). However, few have investigated the qualities that make a successful undergraduate research mentor (Daly & Leong, 2009). What qualities do students value? Are these qualities the same for those who are successfully enrolled in a graduate program compared to those who are in the process of completing their undergraduate program? UCF graduate and undergraduate students in psychology will be given a comprehensive survey that addresses the qualities and methods that were most supportive of their success. The implications of these goals for faculty research mentors will be discussed.
What Students Want in an Undergraduate Research Mentor
Burnett Honors College
Most students enter into an undergraduate research experience seeking personal growth and items to enhance their resume (Whitten & Mottarella, 2008). The vast majority of undergraduates who participate in research have a positive experience. They report gains of different kinds including personal/ professional gains, increased knowledge of the research/scientific process, acquiring new skills, advancing career plans and preparing for these (see Seymour, Hunter, Laursen, & Deantoni, 2004, for a review). However, few have investigated the qualities that make a successful undergraduate research mentor (Daly & Leong, 2009). What qualities do students value? Are these qualities the same for those who are successfully enrolled in a graduate program compared to those who are in the process of completing their undergraduate program? UCF graduate and undergraduate students in psychology will be given a comprehensive survey that addresses the qualities and methods that were most supportive of their success. The implications of these goals for faculty research mentors will be discussed.