Goals

Undergraduate research is a high-impact practice with numerous benefits for students (see and  for just a few of those benefits). 

This research team works on many different kinds of projects, and students who join the team can propose new ideas too. Current research projects for this team include the following:  

  • Analyzing syllabi for undergraduate research courses
  • Analyzing critical reflections written by students in undergraduate research courses
  • Surveying students, faculty, and administrators regarding their views on Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences, or CUREs
  • Facilitating focus groups with undergraduate researchers and mentors and analyzing the responses for themes
  • Analyzing the outcomes of funded undergraduate research experiences at KSU

New student researchers may be working on one or more of these projects or a completely new project. The overarching goal of this team is to better understand undergraduate research and ultimately improve the research experience for both students and their mentors. 

Experience Gained

Students will gain numerous research skills as part of this project. For example, student researchers on this project might do some or all of the following:  

  • Conduct a literature search using the library resources to find cutting-edge sources on undergraduate research
  • Evaluate the quality of past research in this area
  • Articulate how our research makes a contribution to the field
  • Design studies to answer a research question related to undergraduate research
  • Navigate the Institutional Research Board (IRB) process
  • Collect social science data
  • Analyze and interpret data from a study
  • Work effectively as part of a team
  • Write abstracts, presentations, and scientific research papers
  • Communicate the findings to others (for example, at a conference) 

Majors and Interests Needed

  • Any student with an interest in better understanding and improving undergraduate research is welcome to apply, regardless of major. 

Team Advisor

Amy Buddie, PhD
Director of Undergraduate Research
Professor of Psychology
Email: abuddie@kennesaw.edu

Team Photos