Research-based learning in a transversal Entrepreneurship and Innovation undergraduate course

The present article reports an empirical quantitative study involving 107 undergraduate students from Entrepreneurship and Innovation courses in a public university. Students were randomly assigned to 3 conditions: structured Research-based learning (RBL), semi structured RBL and control. We hypothesized that studying in a structured RBL condition would result in a higher intention to do research (INT) and higher course achievement (CA) along with positive changes in autonomous motivation (AM), perceived behavioral control (PBC), behavioral beliefs (BB) and subjective norm (SN); as compared to studying in a semi-structured RBL and control condition. The intervention lasted 7 weeks as part of a regular course and was based on Brew’s RBL framework. A significant differential impact was observed in overall course achievement and in specific research skills clusters. No significant differences were observed in INT, AM, PBC, BB and SN. The results lead to clear implications and directions for future research.