Higher & Continuing Education, Research, Education 

ASHE higher education report, 1551-6970 ; v. 33, no. 4 

Engaging undergraduate students in research and creative activities has been advocated as an innovative strategy to promote student learning in higher education. This monograph systematically synthesizes the literature to provide both conceptual and empirical evidence to demonstrate the effects of such engagement on student learning and development from higher education. Student engagement in research and creative activities during the college years is associated with a variety of outcomes in both the cognitive and affective domains. The evidence also points out that colleges and universities can make a difference in undergraduate engagement in research and creative activities. The authors provided various examples of how different types of institutions integrate inquiry-oriented activities in the curriculum, institutionalize research-supportive programs, and foster a campus culture that values inquiry-based undergraduate education. 

Table of Contents:
Learning imperatives in undergraduate education -- Description of undergraduate research and creative activities ; Defining undergraduate research and creative activities ; Disciplinary differences in undergraduate research and creative activities ; Historical context of undergraduate research and creative activities -- Intellectual foundations of undergraduate research and creative activities ; Constructivist learning theories ; Exemplary learning models ; Implications of undergraduate research and creative activities -- Understanding student engagement in research and creative activities ; Environmental effects in higher education ; Student involvement and engagement ; Undergraduate socialization ; Academic and social integration -- Impacts of student engagement in research and creative activities ; Outcomes of undergraduate research activities ; Impacts for special student populations ; Effects on faculty members -- What matters to student engagement in research and creative activities ; Patterns of student engagement ; Correlates of student engagement -- Engaging students in research and creative activities ; Phases of student research experience ; Institutional efforts to engage students in research and creative activities ; Conditions conducive to undergraduate research and creative activities ; Barriers to undergraduate research and creative activities -- Conclusions and implications ; Conclusions ; Implications for policy in higher education ; Implications for program development ; Approaches to assessing programs for undergraduate research and creative activities ; Additional research needed -- Appendix : Resources for undergraduate research and creative activities.