Undergraduate Research in Chemistry

While the benefits of undergraduate research in science have long been anecdotally touted by practicing scientists, empirical evidence has only recently begun to be reported. This paper contributes to the growing body of research by examining the undergraduate summer research experiences of two students majoring in chemistry. This study utilizes methodologies consistent with a phenomenological framework including open-ended electronic journal entries and semi-structured interviews. The students had similar prior experiences however, when they were analyzed side by side as narratives, it was found that they perceived their overall research experience to be very different. Factors that contributed to these differences include the student’s motivation to do research, ideas about available resources, and the perceptions of what constitutes success. Ultimately, these differences contributed to the students’ future academic and career plans.