The Practice of Undergraduate Research and Mentoring Student Writing

Abstract

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) defines undergraduate research as “An inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.” This definition sets a high standard for students to achieve, but students have proven that, with appropriate mentoring and early support, they are capable of making original contributions to their areas of study. If we expect students to make an original contribution through their research, however, we need to begin preparing them early in their college or university programs. Students need to learn the research methodology and means of communicating research results that are used in their disciplines. Also, for students in many disciplines, it is very important to be able to clearly communicate results to an audience outside their discipline.

Keywords: Undergraduate research, mentoring, lay audience, critical thinking, inquiry, creative, sequencing, developmental, writing, writing-across-the curriculum, persuasive writing, advocacy, professional writing, co-authored publications.