Research opportunities for undergraduates

Three needs that can be addressed by giving undergraduate students the opportunity to assist with the researches of the academic staff were noted by the report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (1997) in the UK, namely: the acquisition by students of personal and professional transferable skills; the opportunity for students to earn money; and the provision of research assistance at modest cost—in particular to young members of the academic staff. This research note reports on the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme that has been operating since 1980 at the Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine. Questionnaire returns from 232 students over the last 5 years indicate that the principal benefits to students are: enjoying independence in working; being given responsibility; having adequate supervision; feeling accepted as co-workers with staff and postgraduate students; having the chance to talk with postgraduate students, post-doctoral research workers, and research assistants; and being intellectually stimulated. Questionnaire returns from academic staff who had the Programme's students in their laboratories highlight the following principal benefits to them: the opportunity to try out new ideas and/or speculative experiments; help to prepare work for publication/complete contracts; and extra help, insight and enthusiasm

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• The Search for Synthesis

  Sinclair Goodlad•Studies in Higher Education•2000

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• Exploring the Transition

  Open Access•Stephen Schweinsberg, Patricia Mcmanus et al.•Geographical Research•2006

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• It feels more important than other classes I have done

  Denise Cuthbert, Dharma Arunachalam et al.•Studies in Higher Education•2012

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• Researcher development

  Joanna John, John Creighton•Studies in Higher Education•2011

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• Education and Social Action

  Richard A Hawkins•The Journal of Higher Education•1976

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