Undergraduate research experiences have been shown to have a positive impact on students’ attitudes toward graduate studies, as demonstrated by results from pre- and post-research experience surveys. Results have shown that students gained confidence in their research abilities and increased their interest in continuing their education at the graduate level. However, there has been relatively little long-term follow-up with undergraduate research students to see if they actually did pursue graduate studies.
The current paper examines three cohorts of students who participated in the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program at __________ during the summers of 2010, 2011, and 2012. Students completed a ten-week research experience during the summer between their sophomore and junior years, and continued their research during their junior and senior years. Students’ responses to the attitudes toward graduate studies surveys administered before and after their respective summer research experience are compared to actual enrollments in graduate programs to determine whether the increased interest in pursuing graduate studies persisted and translated into increased graduate enrollments. Follow-up research with these students gauges the impact the McNair program has had on their careers.
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3621-0168
New Jersey Institute of Technology
[biography]
Dr. John D. Carpinelli is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Dr. Angelo J. Perna is professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Director of the NJIT McNair Program A Fellow of ASEE and AICHE he is the co-author of over 100 publications and presentations. He has been the recipient of numerous awards on both a National and International level. In addition he has been recognized with the distinction of Master Teacher by NJIT.
LINDA S. HIRSCH, Ed.D, was formerly the Assistant Director for Research, Evaluation and Program Operations for the Center for Pre-College programs at New Jersey Institute of Technology, but is now retired although still involved in STEM education. Dr. Hirsch has a degree in educational psychology with a specialty in Educational Statistics and Measurement from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. She has been involved in all aspects of educational and psychological research for over 20 years. Dr. Hirsch is knowledgeable about the implementation of integrated STEM curriculum and has extensive experience conducting longitudinal research studies. She is proficient in database management, experimental design, instrument development, psychometrics and statistical programming.
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