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Consider a Student Research Experience!
by Dr. Marilyn Nouri
Students should be looking for ways to distinguish themselves while in college. There are a variety of avenues for doing this. A high GPA immediately comes to mind. Completing dual majors, participating in extra curricular activities such as the Center for Social Responsibility and Community, theatre, or Concert Choir, or completing a field experience are other possibilities. Another that you may not have thought of, which is also an excellent way to take advantage of what the college has to offer, is to participate in research with one or more faculty members.
Students can get involved in doing research in several ways. During the first couple of years, you may be able to assist a faculty member with research they are doing and earn credit, too. Most departments offer Independent Study opportunities. Read the description of the course in your major and see if you are interested. Here the student takes a more direct role in planning and carrying out a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. It is even possible to apply to the Research Committee for a small amount of money to help support expenses associated with the research project.
What are the specific advantages to you? Imagine being able to write on your resume the title of a research project that you completed. Often student research done here is distributed to a wider audience.
Many students have presented their research at student conferences, or even at regional and national conferences with the faculty sponsor. For example, one of my students, Vicki Hurlburt, presented her research on vegetarianism at the Eastern Sociological Society Meeting. Occasionally, students, in co-authorship with the faculty advisor, have gotten their work published. P. Jay Fleisher, in Earth Sciences, has had many of his students over the years co-author a series of Geological Society of America Abstracts as a part of student research. Peter Lisichenko, a Geology major, who traveled to Alaska with Dr. Fleisher to conduct student research said of his experience, "It was an opportunity to present my work within a professional forum. I do believe that the experience was beneficial towards my future career goals and I would mark it as the most influential in my education."
The second advantage is the opportunity to work in a mentoring relationship with a faculty member. Research shows that it has educational benefits for you. You usually become a better and more serious student from the experience. Besides, if you do well, it is likely to generate a strong letter of recommendation from that faculty member when you need it. Heather Alford, a dual Psychology and Sociology major, completed an Independent Study research project with Psychology professor, Mary Howes. I asked her why she is doing it. She replied, "I decided to do research to enhance my resume for graduate school. I also wanted to have hands on experience in Psychology since most classes donšt provide that opportunity." She added that she just wanted to learn more about how Psychology was done.
Third, it gives you an opportunity to see how much you like the experience of doing research. Vicki, the student who did the research on vegetarianism, was amazed at how interested she became in the subject and the research process. Questions kept "popping up" in her mind about the research as she was doing it. Others may find that research is not for them and that is important, too. Many graduate programs involve research as a required part of their program, so it is useful learn about your interest in doing research ahead of time.
Last, you will feel better about yourself, as a student and scholar. One of my students, taking research methods and writing a report said, "I feel like a scientist!" The sense of accomplishment that comes from carrying out a research project from beginning to end is very satisfying.
How can you decide if doing student research is a good approach for you to use to enhance your accomplishments while at our college? Talk to your faculty advisor about the possibility or to a professor in a class that you have found particularly interesting.
The funding for these grants comes from College at Oneonta Foundation.
This page last updated Friday, February 07, 2003
