This study investigates the disparity in research involvement among STEM majors at a primarily undergraduate institution in southern California in fall 2016. Subjects of the study were chemistry and biochemistry majors (n=263) with a curriculum requirement of research and biology majors (n=568) without the requirement. The aim of this study is to identify how research experience influences STEM persistence. Data were collected through an online survey with Likert-style items and open-ended response questions. Data were analyzed qualitatively for emergent themes, with inter-rater reliability of 75%. Preliminary results indicate chemistry majors were more likely to pursue an advanced degree and reported fewer obstacles to obtaining a research experience than biology majors. Both groups most frequently cited failure to make an attempt, followed by lack of guidance for chemistry students and lack of information for biology students as obstacles to obtaining a research experience. The findings may have implications on the impact of research involvement on STEM retention and persistence.

Impact of curricular and non-curricular research involvement in STEM persistence

255th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.