In Spring 2020, the RCA Research Development Unit surveyed NDSU faculty regarding their involvement in undergraduate research. Survey responses were received from 30 departments or units, representing six of the academic colleges at NDSU. 

Of 105 total responses, four indicated that they did not provide research experiences to undergraduates and seven responses were incomplete.

Respondents were asked to provide information by semester: Summer 2019, Fall 2019, and Spring 2020.

Summer 2019

55 respondents (57%) indicated that they engaged undergraduate students in research experiences outside of the classroom during the 2019 Summer Semester. Of those respondents, 74% reported 1-2 undergraduates involved in research experiences, while 26% reported working with 3 or more undergraduate students in research outside the classroom. 116 total research experiences were provided to undergraduate students outside of the classroom.

Only 5 respondents reported engaging undergraduate students in research experiences within a class or lab section during this time period. 12 total research experiences were provided to undergraduate students within a class or lab section.

Responses to the “Other” category included:

• Summer Employment
• Research Experience
• Start-Up
• REU Program
• Academic Research Rotation
• Paid through local funds; class credit earned

Fall 2019

68 respondents (72%) indicated that they engaged undergraduate students in research experiences outside of the classroom during the 2019 Fall Semester. Of those respondents, 56% reported 1-2 undergraduates involved in research experiences, while 37% reported working with 3-6 undergraduates, and 7% reported 7 or more undergraduate students. 205 total research experiences were provided to undergraduate students outside the classroom.

26 respondents reported engaging undergraduate students in research experiences within a class or lab section during this time period. Numbers reported by this group ranged from 1-100 undergraduate students engaged in research within a class or lab section. 480 total research experiences were provided to undergraduate students within in a class or lab section.

Responses to the “Other” category included:

• Field experience
• Research Experience
• Capstone Project
• Paid through local funds; class credit earned

Spring 2020

With the change in University operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many planned research experiences were cancelled. The data for Spring 2020 reflects planned participation as of the start of the semester.

72 respondents (77%) indicated that they engaged undergraduate students in research experiences outside of the classroom at the beginning of the 2020 Spring Semester. Of those respondents, 54% reported 1-2 undergraduates involved in research experiences, while 38% reported working with 3-6 undergraduates, and 8% reported 7 or more undergraduate students in research outside the classroom. 213 total research experiences were planned for undergraduate students outside the classroom.

33 respondents reported engaging undergraduate students in research experiences within a class or lab section during this time period. Numbers reported by this group ranged from 1-380 undergraduate students engaged in research within a class or lab section. 926 total research experiences were planned for undergraduate students within a class or lab section.

Responses to the “Other” category included:

• Field experience
• Extra Credit
• Research Experience
• Capstone Project
• Work Study

Finding Undergraduate Researchers

Respondents reported multiple avenues for finding undergraduate researchers.

Responses to “Other” include:

• Word of Mouth
• Recommendations from colleagues
• Student workers hired specifically for research
• Students approach them directly
• Honors Program
• Student contact through advising, class
• Advertisements on dedicated websites
• REU program
• Recruit in other classes

Total Number of Research Experiences Offered

The total number of research experiences offered by semester includes those reported both outside the classroom and research experiences as part of a class or lab section.

Other Questions

• 57% of respondents had publications and/or presentations that included undergraduate students in the last year.
• 81% of respondents would be interested in a centralized jobs board to post undergraduate research opportunities.
• 33% of respondents have engaged high school students in research .
• 51% of respondents would be willing to have high school and/or community college students do research in the summer.
• When asked what resources or other support was needed, the most common responses were for funding to support undergraduate researchers and assistance identifying interested students.