For those at the beginning of their post-secondary journeys, participating in group or independent research projects can seem daunting. Fortunately for students, the resources offered by the university help make research as accessible as possible.
The Gauntlet sat down with Abbi Johnson and Sheroog Kubur, Managing Editors at Motley, one of the university's undergraduate journals, to discuss how students can conduct their own research and get their work platformed.
Learning how to research is often an important aspect of a first-year student's education. Whether it's learning how to write a scientific paper or evaluate historical sources, many of the courses offered at the university at the introductory level are designed to introduce individuals to the various ways research is conducted. Kubur talks about how common it is for students to feel overwhelmed by this new information.
“Particularly in my first year, I was exposed to a lot of new ideas all at once, and it felt a little bit like I didn't know how to orient myself or how I would even begin to approach research. First of all, it's a lot easier than you would think” said Kubur.
Both Kurbur and Johnson agree that one of the best ways to explore one's interest and discover research opportunities is speaking with professors. This is because professors not only provide guidance to students on how to achieve success in their courses but can also offer insight on the different research opportunities available at the university.
“Go to office hours, talk to your professors and see what they're interested in in their research,” said Johnson. “If [their area of expertise] matches what you're interested in when it comes to research, then you guys have common ground. More often than not, they know somebody that's interested in the field that you're interested in and can direct you to that individual”.
Professors often act as supervisors and mentors for undergraduate independent research courses or Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE). These are courses available where students can participate in research and create their own research projects while receiving credits.
Outside of courses, U of C’s Office of Signature Learning Experiences (OSLE) can also provide resources to help students who wish to research. This includes the Ready to Research badge program, consisting of online modules that prepare students to learn more about research at the university and refine their research skills. The Managing Editors at Motley discussed the various ways that individuals can prepare themselves for research outside of their courses.
“I would definitely recommend the Ready to Research badge. The other big recommendation that I think is good for all undergrad students is just reading as much as possible,” said Johnson. “Find a researcher that you really like and then try to mimic their style so that you're communicating as effectively as you want to”.
Through the OSLE, individuals can also learn more about Summer Studentships, awards provided to undergraduate students to support multi-week research projects and learning experiences. This includes Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) and the Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE), where individuals can be awarded up to $7,500 for participating in experiential learning projects in the spring and summer.
Another challenge that students might face is finding opportunities to spotlight their work to the public. One way individuals can have their research projects showcased is by submitting them to undergraduate journals, such as Motley, to be published.
Motley specifically publishes the research papers of students relating to topics in Communication, Media and Film Studies. Kurbur and Johnson stress that though Motley, like many other journals, has high standards for the research they choose to platform, receiving feedback and working with reviewers and editors alike are valuable experiences for writers, even if their paper is not chosen to be published.
“You're not going to do it 100% perfect the first time, but we are still a journal […] so we have pretty rigid standards. But we're very open on what we're willing to publish, and we're very much willing to also work with authors,” said Kurbur.
At U of C, research is considered a significant part of an individual's learning experience because it is a way for students to explore their interests and learn new skills. The various courses and award services available make it easier for undergraduates to become experienced researchers.
Disclosure: The Gauntlet is aware of the familial relationship between Abbi Johnson and the Editor-in-Chief Matthew Johnson; editorial oversight of this story was handled by Managing Editor, Hannah Caparino. Additionally, Sheroog Kubur, who was also interviewed for this story, previously served as an Editor at the Gauntlet but held no staff or volunteer position at the time of reporting.
