Research is inquiry or investigation that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.
Undergraduate researchers at Missouri Western are doing work in a variety of disciplines that span the social, life, and physical sciences as well as health care, education and engineering. As Missouri’s applied learning university, undergraduate research is a big part of what we do. MWSU student researchers frequently present, publish, travel, and win awards and scholarships related to their efforts.
Participating in undergraduate research prepares you for the future by expanding your academic experience and giving you the opportunity to not only explore an academic discipline more fully, but to contribute new knowledge to it.
There are many benefits to becoming a researcher, including:
You can get started as soon as you are ready, even as early as your first or second year. If research is required in your degree program, then you will work with your academic advisor to identify the best time to get started. You shouldn’t wait on them though. If you’re interested, let your academic advisor know or reach out to the Griffon Office of Applied Learning so you can get connected with an opportunity.
You should. Sometimes a degree program requires it, sometimes it’s an option, and sometimes it’s an elective. Students can even get paid for their work as research assistants. If you are interested in doing research then you should give it a try. You can do research in your discipline, one that’s closely related, or even one that’s completely different.
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