Four modes of undergraduate research differ in social capital required, time on task, and mentoring structure¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 design), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

Undergraduate research falls into four categories: independent study, course-embedded, program-embedded, and summer research experience. Each mode requires a different level of social capital expenditure by the student. Course-embedded research requires little social capital and broadens participation; independent study and summer experiences require significant social capital and reach fewer students. The article notes that "When faculty embed research into a non-research course, little social capital is required. All students enrolled in the course can participate in the research, and thus, this method significantly broadens participation across groups."

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Faculty intentionally choose the mode of research experience with awareness of the social capital it demands from students

Constraints¶

• Program-embedded experiences increase access but their reach is limited because students used social capital to select and persist in the degree program

Target Learners¶

• undergraduate students, including first-generation and underserved students

Target Goals¶

• equitable access to research participation

Claims¶

• Ur Social Capital Uneven Participation [+M]
• Mentoring relationships in undergraduate research are highly influential in students' campus connection, retention in their major, and persistence to graduation [+W]

Related Patterns¶

• Research breadth taxonomy: six structure-focused elements, each at minimum Milestone 2 for high impact
• Interdisciplinary Course-Based Research Experience

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Fischer, A. E., Immel, K. R., Wilkum, K., & Lee, L. (2021). A Taxonomy for Developing Undergraduate Research Experiences as High-Impact Practices. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. https://doi.org/10.14434/josotl.v21i1.30564