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Undergraduate Research: Gearing Up for Research

You CAN be a student researcher!

What is Research?

Research is organized study or investigation into a subject to discover facts and/or gather information to establish or revise a theory, or to develop a plan of action based on the facts discovered for the advancement of knowledge.

Why do Research?

Participating in undergraduate research can provide opportunities for you to:

  • Work one-on-one with faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers;
  • Contribute to the creation of new knowledge;
  • Sharpen your critical and analytical thinking skills;
  • Complement and extend your classroom learning;
  • Enhance your confidence in your abilities;
  • Prepare for graduate-level study;
  • Explore your interests and clarify your career goals; and
  • Prepare for work in your field.

Some of the greatest benefits of being involved in research is the insight it gives you on:

  • How to learn;
  • How new knowledge is created; and,
  • What you can accomplish when actively engaging your own research questions.

For opportunites to develop your research skills see the links to the right.

(Adapted from the UW's Undergraduate Research Program. )

Explore Research at the UW