» Undergraduate Student Research

Present your research at the Chapman University Student Scholar Symposium

Enter your research in a national competition sponsored by ICPSR!

ICPSR is sponsoring two undergraduate research paper competitions.

The first competition, sponsored by the general archive at ICPSR, requires a research paper supported by quantitative analysis of any dataset(s) held within the ICPSR archive or any of its special topic archives.

The second competition is sponsored by the Minority Data Resource Center. The paper must address issues relevant to underrepresented minorities in the United States including immigrants, and data must be drawn from the MDRC. A separate committee will be formed to judge this competition.

Interested in advanced methods training?
You can attend the ICPSR summer program. The program “ is recognized throughout the world as the preeminent forum for basic and advanced training in the methodologies and technologies of social science research.”

Getting Involved in Research!
If you are interested in doing research, visit the Henley lab. We can help you find a mentor for your own independent project and assist you with the collection, analysis and presentation of your research. We also maintain lists of faculty who are looking for research assistance or are looking for student collaborators. Currently, students and faculty in History, Political Science, Sociology and Communication Studies are working on projects together. Some of these collaborations have led to students and faculty co-authoring papers.

Check out some of our projects!

What is Undergraduate Research?
Undergraduate research is an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.

How Does Undergraduate Research Benefit Students?

  • Enhances student learning through mentoring relationships with faculty
  • Increases retention in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics pipeline
  • Increases enrollment in graduate education and provides effective career preparation
  • Develops critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and intellectual independence
  • Develops an understanding of research methodology
  • Promotes an innovation-oriented culture