Evaluation and Assessment
Since the inception of UROP in 1989, UROP has conducted several extensive research studies to evaluate the impact of the undergraduate research experience gained by program participation. Conclusions from these students include:
UROP does influence students’ academic achievement, retention, behavior, and post-graduate educational and professional activities – all intended goals for the program.
Findings from several of the research projects suggest a strong connection between UROP participation and proactive behavior, with UROP students discussing how they actively interact with the academic environment.
Findings indicate that African American students’ retention and academic achievement does benefit from a program designed to integrate students into one of the core goals of higher education – research and the pursuit of knowledge. In addition, findings indicated that UROP extends its effect beyond the undergraduate experience by retaining students in the educational pipeline after graduation.
Male UROP participants benefit more strongly from involvement in undergraduate research in terms of higher degree completion rates than male non-participants.
The research is strengthened by the use of control students who applied to UROP, but who were not accepted. Hence, the controls should be similar to UROP students to whom they are compared on characteristics, such as motivation and academic commitment, that could be related to the outcomes specified.
Future research is needed to determine whether UROP facilitates proactive behavior or strengthens those behaviors already present.
Read more about UROP Evaluation and Assessment studies and findings.
