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Co-Curricular Connections: The Role of Undergraduate Research Experiences in Promoting Engineering Students’ Communication, Teamwork, and Leadership Skills

Author

Listed:
  • Deborah Faye Carter

    (Claremont Graduate University)

  • Hyun Kyoung Ro

    (Bowling Green State University)

  • Benjamin Alcott

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Lisa R. Lattuca

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

This study examined the impact of undergraduate research (UR) in engineering, focusing on three particular learning outcomes: communication, teamwork, and leadership. The study included 5126 students across 31 colleges of engineering. The authors employed propensity score matching method to address the selection bias for selection into (and differential availability of) UR programs. Engineering students who engage in UR tend to report higher skill levels, but when curriculum and classroom experiences are taken into account, there is no significant effect of UR on teamwork and leadership skills. Not accounting for college experiences such as curricular, classroom, and other co-curricular experiences may overestimate the positive relationship between UR participation and professional skills. After propensity score adjustment, we found that UR provided a significant predictor of communication skills; a finding that provides support for previous research regarding the importance of communication skills as an outcome of UR. The study highlights the importance of taking into account selection bias when assessing the effect of co-curricular programs on student learning. Implications of the study include expanding undergraduate research opportunities when possible and incorporating communication and leadership skill development into required course curriculum.

Suggested Citation

  • Deborah Faye Carter & Hyun Kyoung Ro & Benjamin Alcott & Lisa R. Lattuca, 2016. "Co-Curricular Connections: The Role of Undergraduate Research Experiences in Promoting Engineering Students’ Communication, Teamwork, and Leadership Skills," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 57(3), pages 363-393, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:57:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s11162-015-9386-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11162-015-9386-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chris Craney & Tara McKay & April Mazzeo & Janet Morris & Cheryl Prigodich & Robert de Groot, 2011. "Cross-Discipline Perceptions of the Undergraduate Research Experience," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 82(1), pages 92-113, January.
    2. Melanie T. Jones & Amy E. L. Barlow & Merna Villarejo, 2010. "Importance of Undergraduate Research for Minority Persistence and Achievement in Biology," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 81(1), pages 82-115, January.
    3. Ho, Daniel E. & Imai, Kosuke & King, Gary & Stuart, Elizabeth A., 2007. "Matching as Nonparametric Preprocessing for Reducing Model Dependence in Parametric Causal Inference," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 199-236, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sara E. Grineski & Danielle X. Morales & Timothy W. Collins & Shawna Nadybal & Shaylynn Trego, 2022. "A US National Study of Barriers to Science Training Experienced by Undergraduate Students during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Qiudi Zhao & Xianwei Liu & Yonghong Ma & Xiaoqi Zheng & Miaomiao Yu & Dongjiao Wu, 2020. "Application of the Modified College Impact Model to Understand Chinese Engineering Undergraduates’ Sustainability Consciousness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Maddalena della Volpe & Alfonso Siano & Agostino Vollero & Francesca Esposito, 2016. "Exploring Curricular Internships in Italy: Towards Entrepreneurial Universities," International Business Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 9(9), pages 150-167, September.

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