Katie is working on a project
exploring the affects that language and literacy have on
school-aged children.
Please describe your UROP project.
My project involves examining the the affects of language and literacy on
children. I was responsible for locating and summarizing literature based on
reading and comprehension levels of school aged children, and conducting a
content analysis for the literature I found.
How did you get involved in research?
I first started during research during my second year in college. I decided to
approach several faculty to present my research interests before I finally met
up with my faculty sponsor. I wanted to work in an area that directly addressed
my interests and where I could rely on solid mentorship from faculty.
How has participating in research impacted your education?
Participating in research has offered me opportunities that I never had in the
classroom. I was given the chance to design my own research project, collecting
and analyzing data, and acquiring in depth knowledge about my area of interest.
It was a very difficult process before I hooked up with UROP and with my faculty
advisor. But once I did, it was quite the learning experience.
I would recommend participation in research for any student...especially UROP!
:)
What has been the most satisfying aspect of your research experience?
What has satisfied me most about my project is has been in creating my own
materials and seeing them produce interesting results. The project I was on
allowed me to explore other research done in my area and to create data
collection materials for my own investigation. Learning how to statistically
analyze my data was hard at first, but the experience was well worth it!
What are your future plans? How has participating in research helped you in
preparing for those future plans?
I plan to go to graduate school where I would like to earn a Masters degree -
and eventually a Ph.D. in Cognitive Learning.
What advice would you give to students interested
in being involved in research?
Be proactive in finding opportunities. In most cases, research opportunities
don't just fall in your lap. You have to make it happen. There are wonderful
professors on campus looking for students to work with you. All you have to do
is look for them. Look at their websites, read their research articles. Visit
them during their office hours. Don't be afraid to interact with them. If you
can get past the initial fear, you'll find that there are PLENTY of faculty who
are concerned about us students and want the best for us! Also, if you can, do a
UROP project. It will help you in developing your own skills down the road.
