Playing in the Sandbox: Comparative Insights into the Undergraduate Research Experience

This project seeks insight from those involved in undergraduate research, including, but not limited to, undergraduate student researchers, faculty, administrators, and parents. Areas of interest include student perceptions of undergraduate research, motives for pursuing research opportunities, and where undergraduate research fits into post-university plans. This presentation is part of a larger, interview based research project in which I discuss undergraduate research with faculty, administrators, and parents of college-searching students. Many stories emerge from these conversations. Today\u27s presentation focuses on various pain points students relate when discussing the undergraduate research process. Primary among these pain points are: Faculty/Institution - Student Communication, Pragmatism trumping Passion when deciding whether (or not) to pursue undergraduate research opportunities, and a sense of feeling Overwhelmed when proactively seeking research opportunities