Despite all of the information that exists to encourage students to attend and do well in college, this is the first research-based guide that directly advises first- and second-year college students. With a focus on the needs and interests of students who are underrepresented in the academy (African American, Latinx, low-income, and first-generation students), this book will help all students take full advantage of the academic resources that the university setting has to offer. The authors introduce students to different types of research across the disciplines, showing them how to work with professors to build a course of study, how to integrate research work into coursework, and how to write and present research. This timely volume will also assist faculty, staff, and parents in providing the needed tools to promote student success. Book Features: Prepares students for the transition from high school to college with a focus on writing, time management, and research skills.Addresses the challenges that face high-achieving, underrepresented students.Empowers students to seek out resources and research opportunities to achieve their full academic potential.Includes models, approaches, student voices, and vignettes from the authors’ successful undergraduate research program. “A must read for every college student. This practical guide provides a roadmap for success as a researcher, a scholar, and a learner.” —Tia Brown McNair, Association of American Colleges & Universities “Faculty mentors and administrative leaders who aspire to be effective sponsors and supporters of students from diverse backgrounds should definitely acquire this resource.” —Elizabeth L. Ambos, Council on Undergraduate Research “What I love about this book is the broader, humanistic conversation about how pursuing research becomes a window into how one becomes a supremely informed and critical citizen.” —Armando Bengochea, director, Mellon-Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program

Despite all of the information that exists to encourage students to attend and do well in college, this is the first research-based guide that directly advises first- and second-year college students. With a focus on the needs and interests of students who are underrepresented in the academy (African American, Latinx, low-income, and first-generation students), this book will help all students take full advantage of the academic resources that the university setting has to offer. The authors introduce students to different types of research across the disciplines, showing them how to work with professors to build a course of study, how to integrate research work into coursework, and how to write and present research. This timely volume will also assist faculty, staff, and parents in providing the needed tools to promote student success. Visit the book website at undergraduateresearchguide.com. Book Features: Prepares students for the transition from high school to college with a focus on writing, time management, and research skills. Addresses the challenges that face high-achieving, underrepresented students. Empowers students to seek out resources and research opportunities to achieve their full academic potential. Includes models, approaches, student voices, and vignettes from the authors’ successful undergraduate research program.

Undergraduate Research in History offers a blend of theory and practice for undergraduate researchers in history, relevant to new routines of the digital age. Explaining how research conducted by undergraduate students fits into the broader contexts of the discipline of history and the expanding realm of undergraduate research, this book presents the major phases of substantive research projects, and offers practical advice for work in specific historical areas as well as in interdisciplinary projects. The volume addresses key issues facing researchers, including finding relevant sources, funding research projects, and sharing results with diverse audiences. Supported by dozens of examples of real-world undergraduate research projects, this book is an indispensable reference for any student embarking on historical research and for professors guiding and collaborating with undergraduate researchers.

Drawing from in-depth interviews with alumni across the disciplines, this book explores the benefits of undergraduate research: meaningful intellectual engagement, a sense of belonging in the campus community, and vocational clarity and career success after college. What matters to alumni about their research experience is often not what is represented in scholarship. The compelling stories featured in this text describe intellectual and emotional uncertainty and excitement; deeply personal mentoring relationships; and the powerful ways in which undergraduate research shapes and directs career paths. The book brings a novel perspective that begins during the research experience and extends into the years after college, offering practical insight into program design, mentoring, and research-to-career practices that are flexible enough to be implemented in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. This book speaks to faculty, staff, and administrators at a wide range of institutions, regardless of experience or comfort level with undergraduate research. Supplemental resources—including discussion questions for each chapter, short videos of dialogue between undergraduate researchers and their mentors, and more—are available at www.centerforengagedlearning.org/books/a-long-view.

An empowering guide for students in STEMM that demystifies the process of securing undergraduate research experiences. Conducting research is an important foundation for many undergraduates on STEMM career paths. But landing an extremely competitive research spot that is also an enriching experience involves knowing how to present yourself effectively and an awareness of your goals and expectations. In this book, an expert lab manager and a longtime principal investigator share their secrets for obtaining these coveted positions. Offering advice to students in a wide variety of STEMM fields at both research-intensive universities and primarily undergraduate institutions, Getting In helps students navigate the hidden curriculum of academia, unofficial rules that disproportionately affect first-generation college students and those from low-income backgrounds and communities historically underrepresented in science. The authors provide not only an overview of STEMM research and lab opportunities but also specific strategies for the entire application process—including how to write emails that get noticed by busy professors, how to ask for a research position during office hours, and interview questions to prepare for—so students can claim their place in research settings. With its emphasis on the many interpersonal and professional benefits of research experiences, Getting In equips all STEMM undergrads with the tools they need both to secure these valued positions and to develop habits that will build productive relationships with their future research mentors. As an undergrad, Getting In will help you: determine how much time you can spend on research by evaluating your current activity level and goals. find the time to do research without giving up your social life or risking your GPA. avoid common mistakes in the search, application, or interview that make it harder to find a research experience. write emails that get you noticed by busy professors by customizing the included templates. prepare for tough interview questions so you’ll impress the interviewer with your answers, and be able to determine if the position is right for you. As a research mentor, Getting In will help your students: navigate the hidden curriculum of finding a research experience in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM). set realistic expectations for their research experience. understand why conducting research requires effort and will include some failure and other challenges. be active participants in their success in the lab.

In the second edition of this best-selling guide, Nicholas Walliman provides expert, step-by-step advice on managing and developing a successful undergraduate project. This book takes you through each stage of your dissertation, answering questions including: How do I choose an appropriate topic for my dissertation? How do I write a research proposal? What′s a literature review, how do I conduct it and how do I write it up? How can I ensure I′m an ethical researcher? What methods of data collection are appropriate for my research question? Once I have collected my data, what do I do? What′s the best structure for my dissertation? Full of examples from real student projects, interdisciplinary case studies and illustrated with cartoons to make you smile along the way, this book will tell you all you need to know to write a brilliant dissertation. The Student Success series are essential guides for students of all levels. From how to think critically and write great essays to planning your dream career, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university. Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips and resources for study success!

Written specifically to address the needs and concerns of the undergraduate, this tightly focused second edition guides students through the process of conducting and completing a research project. Friendly and accessible, this fully-updated second edition includes a number of accompanying student support materials to aid students further. Closely integrated sets of end-of-chapter tasks covering all aspects of research projects from design to completion, as well as suggested further reading, enhance each chapter. A wide range of additional helpful materials relevant to particular subject areas is also available on the accompanying website at www.wiley.com/college/robson. This textbook is an invaluable resource for students in a wide range of disciplines and fields of study, particularly those planning to use social research methods or to carry out a library-based study, for their undergraduate research project.

This book will be vital reading for anyone doing research, since using the web to find high quality information is a key research skill. It introduces beginners and experts alike to the most effective techniques for searching the web, assessing and organising information and using it in a range of scenarios from undergraduate essays and projects to PhD research. Nigel Ford shows how using the web poses opportunities and challenges that impact on student research at every level, and he explains the skills needed to navigate the web and use it effectively to produce high quality work. Ford connects online skills to the research process. He helps readers to understand research questions and how to answer them by constructing arguments and presenting evidence in ways that will enhance their impact and credibility. The book includes clear and helpful coverage of beginner and advanced search tools and techniques, as well as the processes of: @!critically evaluating online information @!creating and presenting evidence-based arguments @!organizing, storing and sharing information @!referencing, copyright and plagiarism. As well as providing all the basic techniques students need to find high quality information on the web, this book will help readers use this information effectively in their own research. Nigel Ford is Professor in the University of Sheffield′s Information School.

This book is a comprehensive and practical guide to understanding and embarking upon social science research. Adopting an accessible and logical approach, the book encourages students to understand, think about, and engage with every aspect of doing research./-//-/It is based on the premise that just being able to make sense of, or even being a scholar of methods, is not enough to `do’ research. The author stresses that all good research is a `thinking game’ and that research needs to be accompanied by a constant assessment of one’s work with a view to making the best possible decisions for obtaining credible data and trustworthy results. To that end she invites readers to think for themselves about the research methods that are best suited to their project./-//-/Designed to encourage lateral, strategic and creative thinking, while providing the essential knowledge and skills needed to undertake research, this book:/-/- Covers all aspects of doing research, from conceptualization and design to implementation and dissemination/-/- Highlights the creative and strategic thinking skills needed to negotiate the research process/-/- Discusses strategies for collecting and analyzing a range of data types as required by the enquiry/-/- Makes extensive use of figures and diagrams to illustrate key points and to provide clarity/-/- Provides guidelines on how to navigate through the body of literature that already exists on research, and explores contentious issues such as power, politics, and ethics in research

This indispensable guide for students in any area of the social sciences - including sociology, anthropology, political science, women's and gender studies, Indigenous studies, and history - offers clear, current information on all aspects of the research process, from research methods and design to presenting findings with clarity and force. No other research and writing guide speaks directly to the needs of students in social science courses. Making Sense in the Social Sciences will increase the skills and confidence of students new to academic writing and improve the quality of the essays they turn in.