 Best Practices for Facilitating a Successful Human Services Undergraduate Research Lab at a Practitioner-focused University

Abstract

Researchers suggest that engaging in undergraduate level research greatly benefits students in various disciplines and increases their career opportunities. However, there is a severe gap in the literature regarding the needs of students in Human Services undergraduate research (UR) labs at practitioner-focused institutions. This phenomenological study examined the salient experiences of seven former research assistants in such a setting. Four emergent themes were uncovered: need insecurities, positive faculty-student connection, creating opportunity, and productive team environment. Considerations for Human Services educators and students are discussed.