Experiential Student Scholars Program

What is a mentor and what makes a good one?

Mentorship is a professional, working alliance in which individuals work together over time to support the personal and professional growth, development, and success of the relational partners through the provision of career and psychosocial support (NASEM Report “The Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM").

What does that mean for you and how do you find a good mentor?

• The mentor will have relevant expertise or knowledge in your research field.
• The mentor should express enthusiasm for sharing knowledge.
• The mentor provides honest and respectful feedback to you when necessary.
• The mentor should allow for idea sharing and use reflective listening, not just direct.

Steps for finding a mentor

1. Before you start searching for a mentor, be sure to know your own interests. Consider what topic areas you are interested in exploring and how will it further your professional and academic goals.
2. Once you know what you want to focus on, begin searching for faculty who match your research goals and are interested in collaborating on a project. Consider various sources for this information including departmental websites, professors from classes and other peers and researchers.
3. Finding a research mentor is like any professional search, so be sure to utilize your network. Talk to your major advisor, professors, and peers to learn about openings. Utilize LinkedIn and networking events to discuss your research interests with possible mentors.
4. Once you have a list of potential mentors identified, start contacting them. This may be in email or a conversation during office hours. In these first-contact communications, be sure to clearly articulate your interests, goals, and why you are interested in working with them.
5. The final step is to interview those possible mentors who have expressed interest. This can be as informal or formal as you choose but be sure to ask questions that indicate if a mentorship will be a good match.

Don’t be afraid to follow up after a mentorship conversation to check in or even ask a few follow-up questions. A good mentor relationship will be one of communication and respect.

Tips to remember

• Finding a research mentor is just like any networking opportunity – be sure to be professional and concise in your communications.
• Remember to keep in mind what you hope to gain from the research experience and any expectations you have for the mentor as you begin your search.
• Part of research is sharing and presenting your findings. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about presenting the research at conferences or even authorship. 

First contact email recommendations

Below you can find some guidelines for what you might include in a mentor request email. Be sure you are spotlighting your interests and goals.

• Keep your email brief and professional and be sure to use the mentor’s official title (Dear Professor, Dear Dr.).
• Introduce yourself and include your name, year, major, and any specific skills or experience that might be beneficial. Highlight what you can bring to the research.
• Clarify specifically what you find interesting about their research and why you are reaching out to them. Are you volunteering, looking for pay, or found a posting?
• Add a concrete request (“Could you please let me know if you would be available to meet sometime in the next week or so to discuss the possibility of doing research with you?”)
• Sign off professionally (Sincerely,), and don’t forget to include your CV/resume and transcripts if available.

Questions?

Don’t hesitate to reach out to internships@twu.edu for additional assistance.

Adapted from the following resources:

https://wiscience.wisc.edu/resources/undergrad-resources/finding-a-mentor/

https://www.ucdenver.edu/docs/librariesprovider134/default-document-library/tips-to-finding-a-quality-mentor.pdf?sfvrsn=d22e95b9_2

https://nbb.emory.edu/research/find-a-mentor.html#:~:text=Use%20and%20create%20a%20network

https://mcnair.umbc.edu/mentors/selecting-a-research-mentor/

https://ugresearch.ucsd.edu/students/research-mentor.html

What is research and why should I create a research project?

According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), “research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge—including knowledge of humankind, culture and society—and to devise new applications of available knowledge.” Within research, there are three common types including basic research, applied research, and experimental development. 

A research project is a means to present and justify a research idea you have and to present the practical ways in which you think this research should be conducted. 

Steps to start a research project

1. Choose your research area and develop the topic. Consider topics in which you are interested in or a problem that you would like to solve. The more interest you have in the area, the easier it is to stay engaged with the project. Don’t be afraid to be creative in your topic.
2. Conduct a preliminary search for information on the topic. You will need to consider what research is already out there on the topic and how your research can fill any gaps. Utilize keyword searches, reference collections, and academic staff advice to help you reflect and decide on your research topic. You should also craft a general research question from this search.
3. Once your topic is chosen, be sure to save your preliminary searches and locate additional materials. Use your library, search engines, and subject directories on the internet. Be wary of your sources and evaluate the quality and authority of each before beginning.
4. Determine the methodology for your research. Is the topic science or social? Will you use quantitative, qualitative, or a mix of both? Do you plan to have experiments, surveys, or observations? Also consider the challenges and advantages of the different methods as well as how past research utilized them.
5. Draft and submit a research proposal. Once you have brainstormed your topic and research matter, create an organized proposal which outlines the key components and goals.

What should be included in a research project proposal?

• Introduction – two to three paragraphs that clearly outline the research problem, the topic of study, methods to be used, and why the research is important.
• Literature Review – connected to the background of your study providing a review and summary of prior studies to the research questions you are investigating.
• Research Design and Methods – organized outline of the research operations to be undertaken and how you may interpret results; this should clearly articulate why it is the best method and acknowledge potential barriers and challenges.
• Preliminary Suppositions and Implications – a clear argument for how the research will refine, revise, or extend knowledge in the subject area; this is in theory as the study has not been completed at this point.
• Conclusion – a closing that reiterates the importance of the research and proposal and brief recap of the study. 
• Citations – cite any resources used in a references or bibliography list.

Additional tips and reminders

Research should be unique to you and your interests. There are many ways to brainstorm a topic and outline notes. A few are noted below.

• Word mapping – a technique used to depict and understand relationships among words.
• Tunnel chart – a specialized statistical chart type that helps demonstrate the flow of numbers through a process or timeline. 
• Scoping review – a process for charting data and sources to identify existing literature and summarize a topic.
• Take notes as you research and consider separating on index cards you can use to outline and easily organize.

Be prepared for questions as you dive into a research project and consider a 360 overview.

Questions? Contact internships@twu.edu for additional assistance.

Adapted from the following resources:

https://www.nhcc.edu/academics/library/doing-library-research/basic-steps-research-process 

https://www.luc.edu/celts/programs/undergraduateresearch/forstudents/howtodeveloparesearchproject/

https://twp.duke.edu/sites/twp.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/research_project.pdf

https://www.kent.ac.uk/guides/research-projects-and-dissertations/managing-a-research-project

https://library.uwsuper.edu/c.php?g=1198892&p=8768787