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4 - Undergraduate Research

The Psychological View

from Part I - Theory and Research on Undergraduate Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2022

Harald A. Mieg
Affiliation:
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Elizabeth Ambos
Affiliation:
Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington DC
Angela Brew
Affiliation:
Macquarie University, Sydney
Dominique Galli
Affiliation:
Indiana University–Purdue University, Indianapolis
Judith Lehmann
Affiliation:
Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Summary

This chapter looks beyond basic conceptions and practical implementations of undergraduate research by clarifying its nexus with psychological approaches, research-related dispositions playing a role in inquiry-based learning, as well as theoretical frameworks of competence and professional development. Further, the chapter systematically reflects contemporary studies on undergraduate research with a focus on psychological constructs. Methods for accessing and measuring features of undergraduate research and various effects attributed to doing undergraduate research are discussed. On this basis, a theoretical framework of undergraduate research is introduced. The chapter concludes with open questions concerning the theoretical foundation of undergraduate research from the psychological viewpoint, and with proposals for future research.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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