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Developing Research Identity: Experiences and Influences Leading to Undergraduate Students’ Growth as Researchers

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

July 12, 2024

Conference Session

Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM) Technical Session 12

Tagged Division

Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM)

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/47171

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Paper Authors

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Samantha Splendido Pennsylvania State University

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Sam Splendido is a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. She is currently a graduate research assistant under Dr. Catherine Berdanier in the Engineering Cognitive Research Laboratory (ECRL). She earned her B.S. in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

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Catherine G. P. Berdanier Pennsylvania State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-3271-4836

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Catherine G.P. Berdanier is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from The University of South Dakota, her M.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and her PhD in Engineering Education from Purdue University. Her research expertise lies in characterizing graduate-level attrition, persistence, and career trajectories; engineering writing and communication; and methodological development.

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Karen A. Thole Pennsylvania State University

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Karen A. Thole is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and the Department Head of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University.She was recognized by the White House for being a Champion of a Change in her efforts to help establ

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Jacqueline O'Connor Pennsylvania State University

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Abstract

The purpose of this research full paper is to examine the development of undergraduate students’ research identity during a summer undergraduate research experience. Identity development through socialization experiences is crucial for students to explore future career paths, especially in careers that require research-focused graduate degrees. However, literature is limited on how effective socialization occurs for research and future research-related careers. This paper follows 10 undergraduate engineering and physics students participating in an engineering-focused Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at an R1 institution to explore this gap in knowledge. As part of a longitudinal multi-method study, participants completed a pre- and post-experience survey, and participated in three interviews over the course of the summer. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Interviews were analyzed through the lens of academic self-concept theory for common themes of socialization and identity development in research through the course of the program. Findings indicate that undergraduate students’ research self-concepts are heavily influenced by previous research experiences and comparisons to their peers. The students’ increase in research self-concept as well as their experiences and interactions within the program allowed them to see research careers as more attainable and increased their interest in pursuing graduate degrees. Survey data showed a statistical increase in research self-efficacy and research identity at the end of the program, reinforcing the idea that students’ experiences in the REU helped them grow as researchers and engineers. This research increases our understanding of students’ research identity development and provides potential ways to implement research self-concept and identity development to similar undergraduate research experiences.

Splendido, S., & Berdanier, C. G. P., & Thole, K. A., & O'Connor, J. (2024, June), Developing Research Identity: Experiences and Influences Leading to Undergraduate Students’ Growth as Researchers Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/47171

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