Alpha 2.0
Login Register
» Articles » PMID: 25190821

Making a Difference in Science Education: The Impact of Undergraduate Research Programs

Overview
Journal Am Educ Res J
Date 2014 Sep 6
PMID 25190821
Citations 135
Authors
M Kevin Eagan Jr
Sylvia Hurtado
Mitchell J Chang
Gina A Garcia
Felisha A Herrera
Juan C Garibay
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

To increase the numbers of underrepresented racial minority students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), federal and private agencies have allocated significant funding to undergraduate research programs, which have been shown to students' intentions of enrolling in graduate or professional school. Analyzing a longitudinal sample of 4,152 aspiring STEM majors who completed the 2004 Freshman Survey and 2008 College Senior Survey, this study utilizes multinomial hierarchical generalized linear modeling (HGLM) and propensity score matching techniques to examine how participation in undergraduate research affects STEM students' intentions to enroll in STEM and non-STEM graduate and professional programs. Findings indicate that participation in an undergraduate research program significantly improved students' probability of indicating plans to enroll in a STEM graduate program.

Citing Articles

Student Perceptions of Undergraduate Research-Infused Courses.

Taing A, Nguyen-Rodriguez S, Rayyes N, Marayong P, Buonora P UI J. 2025; 13(1).

PMID: 40046317 PMC: 11881930.

Critical Mentorship in Undergraduate Research Experience BUILDs Science Identity and Self-Efficacy.

Moon S, Guan S, Vargas J, Lin J, Kwan P, Saetermoe C Int J Sci Math Educ. 2025; 23(2):321-341.

PMID: 39829958 PMC: 11735539. DOI: 10.1007/s10763-024-10476-0.

"When I talk about it, my eyes light up!" Impacts of a national laboratory internship on community college student success.

Cote L, Van Doren S, Zamora A, Jaramillo Salcido J, Law E, Otero Munoz G PLoS One. 2025; 20(1):e0317403.

PMID: 39808676 PMC: 11731745. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317403.

Student-centered factors influencing inclusion in biomedical majors among first-year undergraduate students.

PLoS One. 2024; 19(12):e0312862.

PMID: 39739733 PMC: 11687708. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312862.

Elevating Marginalized Student Experiences of Belonging in the Life Sciences: A Qualitative Case Study Approach.

Harry D, Crawford A, Pamintuan C, Singh A, Thomas D, Cooke N CBE Life Sci Educ. 2024; 23(4):ar65.

PMID: 39642292 PMC: 11659870. DOI: 10.1187/cbe.24-02-0055.

References
1.
Hurtado S, Eagan M, Cabrera N, Lin M, Park J, Lopez M . Training Future Scientists: Predicting First-year Minority Student Participation in Health Science Research. Res High Educ. 2013; 49(2):126-152. PMC: 3596162. DOI: 10.1007/s11162-007-9068-1. View
2.
Maton K, Hrabowski 3rd F . Increasing the number of African American PhDs in the sciences and engineering: a strengths-based approach. Am Psychol. 2004; 59(6):547-56. DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.59.6.547. View
3.
Lopatto D . Survey of Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE): first findings. Cell Biol Educ. 2004; 3(4):270-7. PMC: 533131. DOI: 10.1187/cbe.04-07-0045. View
4.
Hurtado S, Cabrera N, Lin M, Arellano L, Espinosa L . Diversifying Science: Underrepresented Student Experiences in Structured Research Programs. Res High Educ. 2013; 50(2):189-214. PMC: 3596157. DOI: 10.1007/s11162-008-9114-7. View
5.
Russell S, Hancock M, McCullough J . The pipeline. Benefits of undergraduate research experiences. Science. 2007; 316(5824):548-9. DOI: 10.1126/science.1140384. View