Implementing and Assessing an Inclusive Introductory Research Program
The Oura Lab
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22416185 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Courtney Ngai (0000-0001-6177-0816, Colorado State University, corresponding author), Rebekah LeMahieu (Colorado State University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-16 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Innovative Higher Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0742-5627 • E-ISSN: 1573-1758 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10755-026-09901-9 |
| OpenAlex | W7161260887 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 16 |
Extensive evidence links participation in high quality undergraduate research experiences to positive student success metrics (e.g., retention rates) but barriers to entry persist. The Office for Undergraduate Research and Artistry (OURA) at Colorado State University developed a program called the OURA Lab, grounded in culturally relevant pedagogy. The OURA Lab program was designed to address many of the identified barriers, including a flexible schedule, compensation for participation, and scaffolded opportunities for students to connect their personal identities and experiences to research. We collected data to investigate the following two project aims: 1. In what ways does an undergraduate research program that is guided by culturally relevant tenets contribute to growth and development as researchers? And 2. How does an undergraduate research program guided by culturally relevant tenets address barriers to entry for students? We used a mixed methods approach to assess the impact of the OURA Lab on participants (N = 125), including four semesters of data from the Entering Research Learning Assessment (ERLA) survey, focus groups conducted at the end of the semester with current participants, and a survey and focus group implemented with past participants from the OURA Lab. The data indicate that the OURA Lab successfully increased students' research skills, confidence and belonging in lab spaces, and their likelihood of pursuing other research opportunities beyond the OURA Lab (project aim 1) and that the design of the activities and structure guided by culturally relevant pedagogy also reduced the effect of barriers to entry (project aim 2). In this paper, we share how the OURA Lab was guided by culturally relevant pedagogy, the implementation details of the program, our methods of assessment and data, and suggestions for those who are interested in implementing and/or assessing a similar program.
Faculty Development · Higher education · Qualitative research · Research methodology · Collaborative Teaching and Inclusion · Disability Education and Employment · Occupational Therapy Practice and Research
Assessment of Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences
Undergraduate research experiences
The link between high-impact practices and student learning
Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics
Moving Culturally Relevant Pedagogy From Theory to Practice
Toward a Theory of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Understanding the science experiences of successful women of color
Body Projects of Young Women of Color in Physics
| Highly cited | No |
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