UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Students who are interested in learning more about undergraduate research, including how to get started, can attend a series of online workshops during the fall 2021 semester.
Events are sponsored by Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring, University Libraries, Career Services and the Office for Research Protections.
Unpacking Undergraduate Research
Sept. 15, 3-4 p.m.
Many graduates remember their experience with undergraduate research as one of the best parts of their college career. Join us to learn about what undergraduate research entails across different disciplines and the benefits of getting involved.
Registration is required.
Finding Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Sept. 21, 3-4 p.m.
Research opportunities are available in every department, but it can still be difficult to get started. In this session, you will have the opportunity to learn how to locate ongoing research opportunities and identify potential research mentors based on your Interests, as well as how to determine the right research experience for them.
Registration is required.
Introduction to Research Ethics and the IRB
Sept. 29, 3-4 p.m.
Just because you have an idea for a research project, doesn't mean you can go out and investigate the topic. Join the Office for Research Protections to learn about the norms behind proper research conduct and the role the Institutional Review Board (IRB) plays in monitoring research involving human subjects.
Registration is required.
Joining the Scholarly Conversation
Oct. 5, 3-4 p.m.
When starting a research project or deciding on a research idea, you want to have a sense of the conversation you're joining. This workshop will help you feel confident in reviewing and reading scholarly articles and give you a series of questions you can ask as you enter the scholarly conversation on your topic. This workshop is meant for students who have just begun an undergraduate research experience or students who are interested in starting an experience and want to make sure they have the tools and mindsets they need to succeed.
Registration is required.
Developing a Research Topic or Question
Oct. 13, 3-4 p.m.
Developing an effective research question is an important step when beginning a research project. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn about the different types of research questions and some helpful resources that can be used to conduct background research on a topic. While open to all students, this workshop is particularly useful for students who are seeking to begin a research project or paper and need the tools and information to get started. This workshop can help you become more confident in writing research questions and conducting background research on your topic.
Introduction to Data Management
Oct. 19, 3-4 p.m.
Actively managing data throughout each phase of a research project can prevent data loss or version confusion, make it easier to understand data in the future, share data publicly and with collaborators and is vital for research transparency and reproducibility. In this session, you will be exposed to numerous data management practices including data management planning, documenting and organizing your data properly, storing and backing up data, sharing and preserving data and safeguarding sensitive data.
Registration is required.
Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
Oct. 27, 3-4 p.m.
What do you do after collecting data? How do you go from Excel sheets and questionnaires to data-driven insights and conclusions? How do you actually answer your research questions and hypotheses? In this session, we'll introduce quantitative research and data analysis methods, interactively demonstrating how to go from data collection to meaningful interpretation. The focus will be on numerical data, and the intended audience is all undergraduate students involved in research (before, during, or after data collection). No prior experience in data analytics is expected.
Registration is required.
Starting a Literature Review
Nov. 2, 3–4 p.m.
A common project at the start of a research project is conducting a literature review. It's important that you know what scholars have done on your topic previously, and how those scholars are talking to one another. This workshop will help undergraduate students understand what a literature review is, what the writing process comprises, and other best practices to get started.
Registration is required.
Applying for the Erickson Discovery Grant
Nov. 10, 3–4 p.m.
Interested in conducting your own research or completing a creative project at Penn State over the summer? Attend this event to learn about the Erickson Discovery Grant and how to apply for Summer 2022.
Registration is required.
Showcasing Your Research Experience
Nov. 16, 3–4 p.m.
Having experience with research makes you extremely marketable, but only if you know how to showcase it! Join Career Services to learn how to communicate your credentials on application materials like a cover letter and resume, as well as during an interview.
Registration is required.
Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education, the academic and administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.