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Published on: November 15, 2024
902
Student Perceptions of Undergraduate Research-Infused Courses
Allan Taing1, Selena T Nguyen-Rodriguez1, Nada Rayyes1
1California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840.
UI Journal
|March 6, 2025
Summary
Research-infused courses effectively engage diverse undergraduate students in health research, regardless of ethnicity or prior training. These courses promote equitable participation and skill development, addressing workforce diversity.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical and behavioral sciences
- Higher education pedagogy
- Health disparities research
Background:
- Persistent demographic disparities exist in the health-related research workforce, particularly underrepresentation of Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latinx individuals.
- Previous interventions, such as formal research programs, often reach limited student numbers and have a narrow focus.
- California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) developed research-infused courses to broaden access to research training and address health disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify effective pedagogical strategies within research-infused courses.
- To assess the association between students' ethnic minority status, prior research training, and perceived gains in personal development and research skills.
- To understand how these courses contribute to a more diverse health research workforce.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of student survey data (N = 410) collected over three academic years.
- Examination of perceptions of personal development and research/technical skills.
- Comparison of outcomes based on students' race/ethnicity and formal research training experience.
Main Results:
- Research-infused courses demonstrated potential for equitable engagement across diverse student populations, irrespective of race/ethnicity.
- Student participation in these courses was associated with perceived gains in personal development and research skills.
- No significant difference was observed in perceived gains based on prior formal research training experience.
Conclusions:
- Research-infused courses can serve as an effective and equitable strategy to introduce undergraduate students to research methods and skills-building.
- These courses offer a scalable model for institutions to institutionalize research exposure for a wider student demographic.
- Implementing such courses can contribute to diversifying the future health-related research workforce.
Keywords:
STEMhigher educationresearch coursesscience educationundergraduatesunderrepresented minority studentsMore Related Videos
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