Undergraduate research can be one of the most meaningful experiences at Fort Hays State University because you would have the opportunity to:

• learn through hands-on work outside the classroom and develop research skills for academic and professional pursuits
• identify academic and career interests
• develop a working relationship with a faculty mentor
• get a glimpse into graduate or professional school life
• learn what you like and don’t like to do

The Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) creates research partnerships between student and faculty researchers and scholars from all across campus. URE can be YOUR entry into exciting research, scholarship, and creative activities. All you need is curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn!

Q: What is research?

A: Research, especially undergraduate research, can take many forms. URE students can be found in museums, archives, and neighboring communities, as well as in scientific laboratories. As a URE student you might be reading historical texts, developing and administering a survey, analyzing data, creating sculpture or photography, or building and testing equipment. Students are working alongside faculty on ongoing or new research projects. As you gain skills and spend time on a project you may have the opportunity to conduct an independent piece to a project. Many URE students use this first research experience to help develop an independent research project or an honors thesis topic to pursue their own research question. Some may even go on to co-author research papers!

Q: What are the Advantages of participating in URE?

A: Working with a faculty mentor and building a relationship with faculty outside of a classroom setting provides students with a better understanding of the academic, social and research climate of this university community very early in their academic program. Students develop a keen understanding of how research is conducted and applied, are better able to talk with faculty about academic concerns, learn to know students with similar interests, identify academic and career interests and are privy to many special events and activities which enrich a student's university experience.

Q: How do I get a research project?

A: At the beginning of Fall term, it will be your responsibility to identify projects of interest (from a book or on the web) and to set up an interview with the faculty contact. The faculty select students from the applicant pool. Then once accepted by a faculty member, an application for funding can be submitted to Dr. Janett Naylor (216 Martin Allen Hall or jmnaylor@fhsu.edu)

Q: I am a first year student, should I really be getting involved in research?

A: It is important to think hard about why you might want to get involved in a research project and also to understand how the research setting might differ from a traditional classroom learning environment. While clearly being involved in research is helpful to your future plans to go to graduate and/or professional school, research is a commitment. You need to be interested in the project you choose as well as in the research process. Here are a few questions to ask yourself about URE:

• What role will research play in my future plans?
• How might research skills help me with future academic and career plans?
• Can research help me explore a field that interest me?
• How might a research project make my coursework more relevant?
• Am I excited and intellectually curious about a lot of different things?
• Would I like the opportunity to get to know faculty and graduate students in a non-classroom setting?
• Can I work independently as well as in a team?

Q: What do faculty look for in a student researcher?

A: Most URE faculty want energetic, enthusiastic individuals who are excited and intellectually curious. They also seek students who ask good questions, have a good work ethic, can be self-directed and self-motivated, and are mature. In some cases, special skills are required for a project; but in many cases, the faculty will help you learn these skills and train you to do research related tasks. They cannot train you to be excited and interested in their work or patient when the tasks are tedious.

Q: How much time does URE require?

A: The time commitment can vary by project but the average student works on a research assignment 8‐12 hours per week. Some students may work as few as 5 or 6 hours per week, while some work as many as 15 hours per week.

Q: Can I register for URE before I find a project?

No. You will not be available for funding until you find a project and know how many hours per week the project requires you to work. The project search process will begin in the Fall, so for now all you can do is plan your schedule accordingly.

Q: Can I take URE for only one semester?

A: URE is designed to be a year‐long program. Thus, students should plan ahead to include URE in both their fall and spring schedules.

Q: What are the other URE requirements in addition to the research?

A: If you receive funding, you will be required to attend a biweekly (as in every other week) research seminar time TBA. In addition you will be required to complete research journals, and present your research at Research and Creative Activities Week.