Getting Started
Frequently Asked Questions
for Starting Undergraduate Research
Why do undergraduate research or creative activity (URCA)?
Research and creative activities are for everyone! Whether you plan to launch your career after graduation or pursue graduate school, the skills you develop will distinguish you from your peers and prepare you for success in any environment. Some of the benefits include:
- Developing mentoring relationships
- Developing transferable skills like critical thinking, organization and time management, collaboration, and communication
- Exploring career and graduate education options
How can I start?
Most undergraduate research experiences are initiated by the student. This typically means that the student will need to reach out to faculty members to explore what opportunities are available. It can feel intimidating to talk to a professor, even if you’re taking one of their classes, but it’s important to recognize that your professors are here for you. The best way to approach a professor is to email them to ask for a meeting or to stop by their office during office hours. If you aren’t sure what to say, you could start by asking them about their own research.
Although good grades can get you noticed, not every undergraduate researcher is at the top of their class. Professors look for students who are interested in the work, demonstrate reliability and trustworthiness, and show a willingness to learn. If you really want to participate in URCA, take the initiative to talk to your professors about your interest in doing research.
Additionally, other students who are engaged in undergraduate research make excellent resources when you are exploring your options. Talk to older students in your major and in your campus organizations about their research experiences and learn how they got involved. They may even be able to help you make an initial introduction for a research mentor with whom you are interested in working.
When can I start?
It is never too late or too early to get started with URCA, and all Mercer undergraduates are eligible to participate. Students typically don’t begin doing URCA before their second year – after they have had time to adjust to college life – and there are opportunities to begin doing URCA as late as your senior year. It depends on your interests, your availability, your major, and the opportunities available.
Do I need any special training?
URCA is, by definition, a mentored learning experience, so your professors expect to spend time training you to do the work. Students don’t typically need any prior experience with research in order to be considered, but you’ll often find that students who are further along in their major are better prepared because they have had time to do coursework that prepares them for URCA. Ultimately, each faculty mentor has different expectations and standards, and spending time investigating opportunities is the best strategy to find out how to prepare yourself for an URCA experience.
How much time does it take each week?
The time investment varies by project, but if you are doing research outside of class (for example, serving as an undergraduate research assistant on a faculty-led project), you can expect to spend about 6-10 hours per week on the project. If you don’t think you have that much time outside of class to do URCA, you may want to consider pursuing course-based research. With this option, the research time is built into the class and is part of your homework.
Can I get paid or receive academic credit for research?
Although there are occasional opportunities to be paid, undergraduates typically should not expect to be paid for research during the academic year. However, in many cases, depending on your major, you may be eligible to receive academic credit for engaging in undergraduate research. Be sure to talk to your academic advisor and research mentor about this.
What is expected of me if I do undergraduate research?
Students are often surprised to learn that URCA is slow and methodical, and it may be several years before any major breakthroughs occur or work is finished. Be prepared to do what may sometimes seem like tedious work, not because you’re an undergraduate but because research and creative activity can be tedious by design at times. Mercer professors work hard to include undergraduates in dissemination activities like presenting work at a conference or publishing a paper in an academic journal, but that is not a guarantee. It is important to remember that the goal of URCA is not to get your name on a paper but to learn the research and/or creative process and develop foundational skills to help you achieve your goals after graduation.
Are undergraduate research and creative activities only for STEM majors?
Research and creative activities are for everyone and in every major. URCA looks different in different disciplines, so it is important to talk to your academic advisor and professors to find out more about what it can look like for you. If you’re interested in doing research and you want to study something that isn’t STEM, you can still do URCA.
Undergraduate research and creative activities at Mercer University are coordinated by Assistant Provost for Research Dr. Garland Crawford. For more information, contact Dr. Crawford at crawford_gl@mercer.edu.