Nationwide Report by SRI International Outlines Benefits of Undergraduate Research Opportunities
MENLO PARK, Calif. -- April 27, 2007 -- As published in this week's edition of Science Magazine (www.sciencemag.org), nonprofit research institute SRI International has released the results of a large-scale, National Science Foundation-funded study assessing the benefits of undergraduate research opportunities.
The nationwide study evaluated the National Science Foundation’s current support for undergraduate research. Survey instruments, data tables, and analytical reports are available online.
The SRI study reviewed the demographic and academic characteristics of undergraduates who participate in undergraduate research opportunities, why individuals (faculty as well as students) choose to participate, the characteristics and components of undergraduate research opportunities, the effects of undergraduate research opportunities on students’ academic and career decisions, and whether different kinds of research experiences are more effective with some types of students than with others (e.g., minorities vs. nonminorities, men vs. women).
"We found that undergraduate research increases a student's research-related understanding, confidence, and awareness, while increasing anticipation of a doctorate degree," said Dr. Susan Russell, principal investigator of the study and senior researcher in SRI's Center for Science, Technology, and Economic Development. "Based on these findings, SRI strongly encourages participation in undergraduate research opportunities and increased funding of these important academic experiences. We also recommend that greater attention be given to fostering curiosity and interest in science, technology, engineering, and math among elementary and high school students."
The SRI study included four Web-based surveys conducted between 2003 and 2005, and involved almost 15,000 respondents as follows:
- NSF initial survey: An NSF-program participant survey (undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral candidates, and faculty)
- NSF follow-up survey: Two years later, a follow-up survey of undergraduate participants in the NSF survey
- STEM survey: A nationally representative survey of individuals aged 22 to 35 who have received a bachelor’s degree in a “hard” science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM)
- SBES survey: A nationally representative survey of individuals ages 22 to 35 who have received a bachelor’s degree in a social, behavioral, or economic science (SBES)
About SRI International
Silicon Valley-based SRI International (http://www.sri.com) is one of the world’s leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for more than 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs contract research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.
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