Outcomes from a research experience for undergraduates (REU) program focused on behavioral research with real-world implications

摘要

The current study examined a National Science Foundation Research Experience forUndergraduates (REU) Site which provided research training to eight femaleundergraduates. Although it is well known that undergraduate research experiencesbenefit students and help them pursue careers in science (e.g., Eagan et al., 2011; Taraban& Logue, 2012; Willis et al., 2013), it is important for students to recognize theassociation between their research and real-world issues (ASHA, 2015; Rhoten &Pfirman, 2007). Human Factors/Ergonomics provides rich opportunities to enhanceresearch experiences for undergraduates. In the current study, students conductedresearch focused on real-world implications with topics such as driving, human-robotinteraction, and relationships. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed toassess the effectiveness of the training. Measures included students’ ratings on theUndergraduate Research Questionnaire and the Kardash Ratings of Interns’ ResearchSkills; diaries of training experiences, and semi-structured interviews. Students and theirfaculty mentors perceived improvements in the students’ research skills after thecompletion of the training program. In addition, the students described positiveexperiences from the training and thought they gained preparation for their careers. Thestrengths and weakness of the training program that were identified by the students willbe useful to improve REUs that are conducted in the future. In conclusion, consistentwith prior research, undergraduate research training (or experience) focused on realworldapplications was effective.