Undergraduate Research Participation Is Associated With Improved Student Outcomes at a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Few scholars have comprehensively examined benefits of undergraduate research (UGR) participation for students at an institution campus-wide. In this study we examined benefits of UGR participation at a Hispanic-majority institution using National Survey of Student Engagement data. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the influence of UGR participation on 5 student outcomes: gains in knowledge and skills, institutional support, overall satisfaction, grade point average, and student-faculty interaction. Results indicate that UGR participation is a robust positive predictor of all 5 outcomes. We provide insights into strategies for enhancing the beneficial impacts of UGR participation, especially for students from underrepresented groups.