Why get involved in Undergraduate Research?

Undergraduate research is a "win-win" situation, and provides numerous benefits.

(this list is partially adapted from Gibson, 1992, and Lind, 1994):

What are the benefits to the institution?

• the enhancement of the University's reputation
• the recruitment of high-quality students and faculty
• the garnering of extramural funding and recognition
• the breaking down of barriers between students and faculty
• the breaking down of barriers between teaching and research by integrating both into the teacher-scholar concept
• the intellectual enhancement of the baccalaureate degree

What are the benefits to students?

• the development of skills to function more independently
• the opportunity to put classroom knowledge into practice
• the identification of career interests
• the building of mentor relationships between faculty and students
• the stimulation that comes with critical thinking
• the opportunity to participate in new discoveries
• the ability to better understand research methodologies
• the stimulation of creativity
• the increased likelihood of acceptance into graduate or professional school
• the ability to communicate to a wide audience
• recognition by one's peers
• the sheer excitement created by intellectual activity
• the opportunity to earn wages or academic credit
• the enhanced ability grasp the philosophy of life-long learning

"What you learn from working in the lab, you just cannot learn in the classroom. You increase your discipline, confidence, and perseverance."

- Tracey Dowey, Biology major, Class of '97

"Doing research helps you feel more confident about your abilities, you learn how the scientific method really works, and how to communicate with other people in the profession."

- Mindy Steiniger, Biology/Chemistry major, Class of '97

"I have such wonderful memories of Truman; I only realize after moving to a different school the sense of cooperation and support prevalent at Truman."

- Jennifer Schaus, Biology major, Class of '95

What are the benefits to faculty?

• the stimulation and confidence that accompany creative thinking
• the opportunity to mentor enthusiastic, high-quality students
• the enhanced ability to remain current in one's field and discipline
• the excitement created by intellectual activity and participation in new discoveries
• the recognition by one's internal and external peers
• the reinvigoration of one's career
• the chance to improve teaching techniques, such as in investigative laboratories
• the ability to transfer results from one's scholarship into the classroom
• the ability to promote the concept of the life-long learning for students

"Doing research with a student not only gives you a chance to teach them on a professional, but on a more personal level. You can have a greater effect on their lives. When a student is engaged in research they are not just studying science, but become scientists"

- Dr. Brent Buckner, Biology faculty member