ERIC Number: EJ1431521
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Jun
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1931-7913
Who Is Represented in the Research on Undergraduate Research Experiences in the Natural Sciences? A Review of Literature
Emma C. Goodwin; Logan E. Gin; Allyson Aeschliman; Adwoa Kumi Afoakwa; Bryttani A. Allred; Sarah T. Avalle; Amanda Bell; Jessica Berkheimer; Hannah Brzezinski; Rachel Campos; Hozhoo Emerson; Savage Cree Hess; Arron M. Montelongo; Nereus Noshirwani; W. Levi Shelton; Emma M. Valdez; Jennifer White; Quinn White; Ehren Wittekind; Katelyn M. Cooper; Sara E. Brownell
CBE - Life Sciences Education, v23 n2 Article 28 2024
Positive outcomes from undergraduate research experiences (UREs) have resulted in calls to broaden and diversify participation in research. However, we have little understanding of what demographics are reported and considered in the analyses of student outcomes from UREs. Without this information, it is impossible to assess whether participation in UREs has been diversified and how outcomes may vary by participant identity. Through a comprehensive literature search, we systematically identified 147 peer-reviewed research articles on student participation in UREs in the natural sciences, published between 2014 and 2020. We coded each paper to document which student demographic variables are reported and considered in analyses. The majority (88%) of articles on UREs reported at least one demographic variable and 62% incorporate demographics into their analyses, but demographics beyond gender and race/ethnicity were infrequently considered. Articles on independent research apprenticeships included demographics in their analyses more frequently than studies on course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). Trends in reporting and analyzing demographics did not change from 2014 to 2020. Future efforts to collect these data will help assess whether goals to diversify UREs are being met and inform how to design UREs to meet the needs of diverse student groups.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Student Research, Scientific Research, Natural Sciences, Student Participation, Demography, Gender Differences, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Disproportionate Representation
American Society for Cell Biology. 8120 Woodmont Avenue Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814-2762. Tel: 301-347-9300; Fax: 301-347-9310; e-mail: ascbinfo@ascb.org; Website: https://www.lifescied.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF); National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Graduate Education (DGE)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1644236; 1311230; 2222546