pursue undergraduate research journal

An Undergraduate's Guide to Funding and Publishing Research

• URECA and other SBU Research Programs and Opportunities
• Funding Your Research
• Publishing Your Research: Why and How?
• Publishing Your Research: List of Undergraduate Journals

SBU's own publications

Note that among the journals listed here are SBU's own publications such as  SBU Brooklogue ,  Young Investigator's Review  and the Stony Brook Undergraduate History Journal . 

How do I know whether my discipline is considered a Humanities or Social Science field?

Humanities includes fields such as Art History, Classics, English, Comparative Literature, History, Musicology, and Philosophy. Sometimes History can be considered broadly as either a Humanities or Social Science discipline, but for the sake of this list, most history journals are listed in the Arts & Humanities category. Likewise, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and related fields often use methods from both Humanities and Social Science research, so you might find related topics on either the Humanities or Social Science list. Psychology is another borderline discipline that might be classified as either a social science or STEM field. For the sake of this list, Psychology is listed with the Social Sciences. STEM fields are those affiliated with science, technology, engineering, or math.

Journals that publish undergraduate research

There are many journals that focus specifically on publishing undergraduate research. The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) keeps an ever growing list of journals that feature undergraduate work . However, many of those listed by CUR are hosted by a specific institution and might only publish the work of their own students, and others might not be peer-reviewed or have publishing fees, so read the descriptions carefully. And, as always, carefully review each journal's website, published articles, and the author submission guidelines before submitting your work.

Below is a list of selected journals that SBU undergraduates are eligible to submit to, organized into the following categories:

• Broad Scope: Journals that publish research in any disciplinary area.
• Arts and Humanities : Fields such as Art History, Classics, English, Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, History, Musicology, Philosophy, Theology, and Writing & Rhetoric. Sometimes History-related fields are also classified as a Social Science, but on this page, most history journals are in the Arts & Humanities category.
• Social Sciences: Fields such as Sociology, Psychology, Economics, International Affairs, Geography, Sustainability, Political Science, and Human Rights are included here.
• STEM : Fields in the hard sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Broad Scope: Journals that publish research in any discipline

• Aletheia: The Alpha Chi Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship Peer-reviewed journal for undergraduate scholarship run by the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society.
• American Journal of Undergraduate Research (AJUR) AJUR is a national, independent, faculty peer-reviewed, open-source, quarterly, multidisciplinary student research journal.
• Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research (BJUR) Submission of original, scholarly research articles is open to undergraduates from any accredited college or university. BJUR publishes scholarship across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
• Discussions: The Undergraduate Research Journal of Case Western Reserve University The journal accepts research papers written by current undergraduate students from accredited colleges and universities around the globe. The research can be on any topic.
• Inquiries: Social Sciences, Arts, & Humanities An open access academic journal focusing on publishing high quality original work across a range of disciplines, especially on work in the social sciences, arts, and humanities.
• International Journal of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (IJURCA) Peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to the publication of outstanding scholarship by undergraduates and their mentors. Accepts submissions from all academic disciplines, including original research in the the form of articles and literature reviews, as well as creative work in a variety of media.
• Journal of Student Research Multidisciplinary and faculty-reviewed journal devoted to the rapid dissemination of current research done by high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.
• Midwest Journal of Undergraduate Research Multidisciplinary scholarly journal produced by a team of Monmouth College student editors and faculty members with peer and faculty reviewers for each article.
• SBU Brooklogue SBU's exclusively undergraduate, peer-reviewed journal for humanities and social sciences.
• Undergraduate Research Journal Double-blind, educator-reviewed print and electronic journal published annually. A forum for multidisciplinary undergraduate research and creative endeavors including case studies, conceptual pieces, creative writing, journalism writings, literature reviews, original art, photography, and scientific studies. Highlights mentored undergraduate scholarly products across all disciplines from all types of higher education institutions.
• UReCA: The NCHC Journal of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity The official undergraduate journal of the National Collegiate Honors Council. Submissions are accepted from undergraduates in the following categories: STEM, Social Science, Humanities, Fine Art, and Creative Writing.

Arts and Humanities

• Animus: The Undergraduate Classical Journal of the University of Chicago Supports undergraduate scholarship in the Classics and related fields.
• Apollon Undergraduate Journal A peer-reviewed journal run by faculty and students at Fairfield University. Any undergraduate student whose research was produced through coursework in the humanities may submit.
• Archive: An Undergraduate Journal of History Accepts submissions of History scholarship, including scholarly papers, articles, book reviews, and historical essays from undergraduate students of all majors from colleges and universities in the U.S. or abroad.
• Berkeley Undergraduate Journal of Classics Original manuscripts on any topic related to Classics from undergraduate students in any major at an institution which confers a bachelor's degree are eligible to submit.
• Clio's Scroll: The Berkeley Undergraduate History Journal The journal publishes articles by undergraduates and recent graduates of any university on historical topics.
• Dies Ligibiles: An Undergraduate Journal of Medieval Studies The journal accepts research papers, book reviews, translations, and art in English, French, and Spanish from any undergraduate student at any college or university. The work must pertain to the time period 400 - 1600 CE.
• Epistemai: An Undergraduate Philosophy Journal A student-run philosophy journal at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. The journal publishes short, original philosophical work done by undergraduates from universities across the country, and internationally.
• Falsafa: Undergraduate Journal of Philosophy Run by the Philosophy Club at the University of California, Irvine, this journal highlights philosophical ideas and research by undergraduates.
• Forbes & Fifth This undergraduate journal of the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh considers both scholarly and creative work from students at any accredited university in the world.
• The Gettysburg College Journal of the Civil War Era Open access peer-reviewed undergraduate journal that publishes academic essays, public history essays, and book reviews on the Civil War Era.
• History Matters: An Undergraduate Journal of Historical Research An undergraduate history journal published annually by the Department of History at Appalachian State University. The journal is indexed by EBSCOhost's America: History and Life.
• Journal of Art History and Museum Studies (JAHMS) An undergraduate peer-reviewed journal that publishes undergraduate scholarship by a diverse coalition of student artists and historians.
• The Kennesaw Tower: Undergraduate Foreign Language Research Journal Annual undergraduate double blind and peer-reviewed journal publishes scholarly work of advanced undergraduates students in Chinese, FLED, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
• Mysterion: The Theology Journal of Boston College Publishes undergraduate research from around the world on topics related to theology.
• Nota Bene: Canadian Undergraduate Journal of Musicology Publishes essays written by undergraduate students from universities around the world. Topics include historical musicology, ethnomusicology, popular music studies, music theory, music education, and interdisciplinary subjects. Double blind review by professors across Canada.
• The Oswald Review: An International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Criticism in the Discipline of English Published annually, and requiring a faculty member's endorsement, the refereed journal in indexed in EBSCO and accepts undergraduate criticism and research in the field of English from students throughout the U.S. and abroad.
• Queen City Writers: a journal of undergraduate writing & composing Refereed journal that publishes essays and multimedia work by undergraduate students affiliated with any post-secondary institution. Topics covered include writing, rhetoric, reading, pedagogy, literacy broadly conceived, popular culture and media, community discourses and multimodal and digital composing.
• Rock Creek Review An undergraduate journal edited, produced and published at Heidelberg University in partnership with the English Department. The journal publishes literary research from schools around the world for an annual publication. Check the website for the "call for papers," which will explain the theme of the next issue.
• RhetTech Undergraduate Journal Run by students at James Madison University, this journal showcases exemplary work being done in undergraduate writing, rhetoric, and technical communication courses around the country.
• Simpliciter: Brandies Philosophy Journal Run by students at Brandeis University, this journal aims to recognize excellent works of philosophy produced by undergraduates from universities anywhere in the world.
• sprinkle: an undergraduate journal of feminist and queer studies A peer-reviewed journal devoted to the diverse voices of emerging scholar-activists, authors, and artists in Women's Gender & Queer Studies and related fields. First established at McGill University, sprinkle is now published at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and welcomes submissions from around the world.
• Stance: An International Undergraduate Philosophy Journal Peer-reviewed journal publishes original work by undergraduates from around the world.
• Stony Brook Undergraduate History Journal Peer-reviewed publication that showcases the research of SBU students writing about history at the local, national and international levels.
• UC Berkeley Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal Publishes undergraduate research in comparative texts and media, treating a broad range of topics including theoretical literary discourse, international trends in literature, and comparisons for national literature. Showcases the best work across the U.S. and also highlight more contemplative writing by students regarding multicultural issues, culture shock, or transnational experiences such as studying abroad.
• UC Santa Barbara Undergraduate Journal of History A space for undergraduates to share original research other scholarly works of history. Reviewed by graduate students with faculty mentorship.
• The Word: The Stanford Journal of Student Hiphop Research Continually solicits research papers and blog content related to hiphop culture. An open-source, open peer-refereed journal. Open to undergraduates from any college or university.
• Xchanges: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Technical Communication, Rhetoric, and Writing Across the Curriculum The fall issues publishes these and research projects of upper-level undergraduate students. Submissions may be traditional articles or multimodal "webtexts." Based in the English Department at the University of New Mexico.
• Yale Historical Review Welcomes works from undergraduates at any institution on any historically relevant topic.
• Young Scholars in Writing (YSW) An international peer-reviewed journal. Publishes original research and theoretical articles by undergraduates of all majors and years on the subjects of rhetoric, writing, writers, discourse, language, and related topics.

Social Sciences

• Afkar: The Undergraduate Journal of Middle East Studies International peer-reviewed journal that accepts research articles, essays, and book reviews that focus on the politics, history, culture, and society of the Middle East and North Africa.
• Al Noor Boston College's Middle Eastern Studies journal. It is run by undergraduates and publishes work from students around the world.
• Chicago Journal of Foreign Policy: University of Chicago's Premiere Undergraduate Journal of International Affairs Accepts submissions from undergraduates from around the world on articles related to foreign policy, international relations, and related topics, preferably pertaining to the period since 1945..
• Compass: An Undergraduate Journal of American Political Ideas A joint project of Northern Illinois University and Arizona State University, Compass publishes work related to American democracy understood in the broad contexts of political philosophy, history, literature, economics, and culture.
• Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development To encourage an international community to think more broadly, deeply, and analytically about sustainable development, the journal publishes work by students, researchers, professors, and practitioners from a variety of academic fields and geographic regions.
• Critique: a worldwide student journal of politics Peer-reviewed journal that publishes scholarship by students of political science. The journal is recognized by the American Political Science Association and indexed by EBSCO.
• The Developing Economist Student-run undergraduate economics research journal, published with support from the Longhorn Chapter of the Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society and the Department of Economics at the University of Texas at Austin.
• Issues in Political Economy Co-edited by undergraduates at Elon University and the University of Mary Washington, the journal publishes undergraduate research in the field of economics and is indexed in Cabell's Directory of Publishing Opportunities in Economics and Finance.
• Journal of Integrated Social Sciences A web-based, peer-reviewed journal committed to the scholarly investigation of social phenomena. We especially encourage students and their faculty advisors to submit the results of their investigations in Psychology, Sociology, and Gender Studies.
• Journal of Interpersonal Relations, Intergroup Relations, and Identity (JIRIRI) Affiliated with the Universite de Montreal, the international peer-reviewed journal publishes the work of undergraduates on new theoretical ideas in the fields of psychology, identity, interpersonal and intergroup relations. It publishes both theoretical and empirical articles.
• Journal of Politics and Society Published by the student group Helvidius at Columbia University, the journal focuses on undergraduate interdisciplinary research in the social sciences.
• The Journal of Undergraduate Ethnic Minority Psychology (JUEMP) Open access, double blind, peer-reviewed journal devoted to publishing research authored or co-authored by undergraduates. The journal is especially interested in submissions that are from ethnic minorities perspectives, that focus on the thoughts and behaviors of ethnic minority populations, or both.
• New Errands: The Undergraduate Journal of American Studies Sponsored by The Eastern American Studies Association and the American Studies Program at Penn State Harrisburg, this journal publishes undergraduate research in the field of American Studies.
• The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Review International undergraduate journal housed in the Kellogg Center for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Virginia Tech. Through a double blind review process, the journal publishes original research in the humanities and social sciences from undergraduates worldwide.
• Process: Journal of Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Scholarship Published quarterly, the journal publishes undergraduate writings that rigorously engage with issues of social justice, transformative education, politics, identity, and cultural production. Publishes both critical essays and non-traditional or multimodal compositions.
• Righting Wrongs: A Journal of Human Rights Based at Webster University's Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies, this peer-reviewed academic journal publishes undergraduate research papers, book reviews, opinion pieces, and photo essays that explore human rights issues.
• Social Moments: A Student Journal of Social Relations Interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal examining the social and cultural world through a social science lens. All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit work in any social science discipline.
• Sociology between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics Undergraduates, graduates, and professionals in sociology and related fields may submit their articles, books and film reviews, and point of view essays. Double blind peer review.
• Undergraduate Economic Review (UER) Supported by the Department of Economics and The Ames Library at Illinois Wesleyan University, this is an open access peer-reviewed journal that publishes undergraduate research in the field of economics from around the world.
• Undergraduate Journal of Global Citizenship Based at Fairfield University, the journal publishes undergraduate research on topics related to International Studies such as global awareness, interdependence, environmental responsibility, social justice, humanitarianism, and other themes that promote the understanding of global citizenship.
• Undergraduate Journal of Service Learning & Community-Based Research Refereed, multidisciplinary, open access undergraduate journal that publishes articles from students all around the world. Accepted articles contribute to the literature on service learning and community-based research through reflection, research, or analysis. Based at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
• The Undergraduate Research Journal of Psychology at UCLA (URJP) Based at UCLA, but accepting submissions of undergraduate research from institutions all over the world, this peer-reviewed journal aims to empower undergraduate students to engage in and with research and facilitate scientific conversation and inquiry in the field of psychology.

STEM Fields

• Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal (CUSJ) Open access science journal that publishes manuscripts resulting from significant scientific research or analysis. Each paper undergoes a double-blind peer review process and a faculty review by the CUSJ Faculty Advisory Board.
• EvoS: The Evolutional Studies Consortium A peer-reviewed open access journal, EvoS welcomes work from all academic disciplines and interdisciplinary scholarship that incorporates evolutionary theory.
• Illumin Magazine: A Review of Engineering in Everyday Life An online magazine dedicated to exploring the science and technology behind the things we encounter every day. Features the work of University of Southern California undergraduate engineers, as well as submissions from universities across the U.S.
• Impulse: The Premier Undergraduate Neuroscience Journal International online neuroscience journal for undergraduate publications.
• International Journal of Exercise Science This journal engages undergraduate and graduate students in scholarly activity as both authors and reviewers. Articles on exercise science undergo peer review.
• Intersect: The Stanford Journal of Science, Technology, and Society An open access international science, technology, and society research journal that accepts undergraduate, graduate, and PhD submissions at the intersection of history, culture, sociology, art, literature, business, law, health, and design with science and technology. Students from around the world are invited to submit.
• Involve: A Journal of Mathematics High quality mathematical research involving students from all academic levels. Submissions should include substantial faculty input; faculty co-authorship is required and the submission should come from a faculty member.
• Journal of Undergraduate Chemistry Research Peer-reviewed journal that publishes undergraduate students' work in chemistry, including analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, polymers, and biochemistry.
• Journal of Undergraduate Kinesiology Research Published by the Kinesiology Department at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, the peer-reviewed, journal is dedicated to original undergraduate research in Kinesiology. Currently, the research originates from students at the University of Wisconsin, but undergraduates from all institutions are invited to submit.
• Journal of Undergraduate Reports in Physics (JURP) Peer-reviewed publication of the Society of Physics Students comprised of undergraduate research, outreach, and scholarly reporting.
• Journal of Young Investigators (JYI) JYI publishes original work in the sciences written by undergraduates mentored by a faculty member. The mission of the journal is to improve undergraduate science training by providing innovative, high quality educational experiences in science writing, publication, and the peer-review process.
• Psi Chi Journal Undergraduate, graduate, and faculty submissions welcome year round to this peer-reviewed psychology journal.
• Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal Devoted entirely to papers written by undergraduates on topics in the mathematical sciences. Sponsored by the Mathematics Department at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the journal accepts submissions from undergraduates around the world and faculty co-authors are not permitted.
• RURALS: Review of Undergraduate Research in Agricultural and Life Sciences Faculty-refereed international journal devoted to the publication of high quality research by undergraduates in all agricultural research problem areas.
• SIAM Undergraduate Research Online (SIURO) Run by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), SIURO publishes articles written by undergraduates from all over the world in the field of computational mathematics. Each paper must be submitted with a letter from a faculty advisor.
• Spectrum Published by the University of Alberta, this multidisciplinary journal publishes research completed by undergraduates in a variety of formats including research articles, review articles, music, video, visual arts, and creative writing.
• Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics Published by Illinois State, this is an open access refereed research journal dedicated to publishing high quality manuscripts by undergraduate or graduate students that describe mathematical and statistical techniques to solve problems in biological settings, as well as in experimental biology. Requires an article processing charge.
• PUMP Journal of Undergraduate Research PUMP stands for Preparing Undergraduate Mathematicians for Ph.D.s, and the journal publishes articles by undergraduates students who want to pursue doctoral studies in the Mathematical Sciences. The journal especially encourages submissions by students from underrepresented groups. Topics include pure and applied mathematics and statistics and authors may submit research papers, papers containing new proofs of known results, and expository papers which propose original points of view.
• Undergraduate Journal of Experimental Microbiology and Immunology (UJEMI+) Based at the University of British Columbia, the journal has two versions -- one that publishes only UBC students (UJEMI) and the other that is open to external submissions (UJEMI+). Dedicated to the publication of undergraduate articles in fields related to microbiology and immunology, the journal requires a formal endorsement from a course instructor or researcher who mentored the student authors.
• Young Investigator's Review Stony Brook's own student-run science journal!
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Student journals create unique avenues by which emerging scholars can engage with research more profoundly. They offer a more viable path for students to earn publication and provide valuable professional opportunities, as student leaders can experience academic publishing from a distinct vantage point and develop as leaders in research. Student journals often play an integral role in research engagement programs at the institutional level. CUR offers a Student Journals community as a place for those involved in student research journals—students, faculty, librarians, administrators, and others—to share resources, foster discussion of best practices, seek solutions to issues encountered in the operation of student journals, and provide support and networking to such individuals. There is also an impressive list of undergraduate research journals, and if you don’t see your journal posted, visit the link at the bottom of the Undergraduate Journal Catalog webpage to submit your listing.

Publishing Your Research

• Getting Started
• Funding Your Research
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• National and International Fellowships
• Partners and Related Websites
• First Year Research Experience
• Research Experience for Undergraduates

Find All Journals

Y ddraig goch: an interdisciplinary journal: uncg.

The publication provides a platform for undergraduate research with faculty from the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. Read more .

Explorations: NC State

Explorations is the Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities for the State of North Carolina. Explorations offers the opportunity for undergraduates at any 2- or 4-year college or university across the state to be published in a peer-reviewed journal and showcase their exciting work.

The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities for the State of North Carolina will provide opportunities for a variety of text and media submissions in Biological, Earth, and Physical Sciences; Business and Legal; Creative Writing and Discourse; Humanities; Mathematics; Performing Arts; Social Sciences; Technology and Engineering; Visual Arts and Design. Explore the journal .

JOURney: UNC-Chapel Hill

Our annual journal is dedicated to undergraduate research in natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. Our goal is to celebrate and support the original research conducted early in students’ academic careers that reflects appropriate scope and complexity for excellent undergraduate work. Read more .

Vertices: Duke

This publication is by students, for students. We're dedicated to bringing our community’s best work to light by sharing students' thoughts and accomplishments via submissions in digital design, writing, humanities and scientific research. Read more .

Undergraduate Research Journal

This journal is a forum for multidisciplinary undergraduate research and creative endeavors within higher education. The national double-blind, educator-reviewed print and electronic journal is published annually in the Winter.

Debuting in 2020, Undergraduate Research publishes research and creative endeavors from undergraduate students enrolled in institutions of higher education from across the U.S. Browse the journal .

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Undergraduate Research Journal

This is an open-access and peer reviewed journal of scholarly work conducted by undergraduate students. The goals of this journal are to:

• Provide a platform through which undergraduate students who conduct novel research at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte may publish their work
• Allow students on the review board to experience the peer review process
• Share research that is conducted at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with the Charlotte community and beyond

Manuscripts undergo a rigorous review process by a board of student and faculty reviewers. This journal accepts scholarly work from multiple disciplines. Read more .

The Lookout: ECU

This journal of undergraduate research and creative writing is dedicated to showcasing the writing prowess of students from all disciplines at East Carolina University. Each edition includes research papers, literary analysis papers, poems and creative writing. Enjoy the journal .

1890: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this journal is to provide undergraduate students the opportunity to demonstrate their interests and abilities in various disciplines. Submissions can include works of research, creative writing, poetry, reviews and art.

New Plains Student Publishing uses 1890 to encourage, recognize and reward intellectual and creative activity beyond the classroom by providing a forum that builds a cohesive academic community. Read more .

American Journal of Undergraduate Research (AJUR)

AJUR is a national, independent, faculty peer-reviewed, open-source, quarterly, multidisciplinary student research journal. Established in 2002, AJUR‘s entire content, by invitation, is archived by the United States Library of Congress.

AJUR makes a unique contribution because of the high standards for content, faculty peer-review process and the ease of accessibility to students, the public and professionals. The editorial board of consists of approximately 50professional subject editors in a variety of fields. Explore AJUR .

The Honors Review

This nationally competitive multidisciplinary journal seeks illuminating, insightful and contemporary research at the undergraduate level. Students need not be members of Honors Programs to submit papers.

The goal of The Honors Review is to give all undergraduates the chance to participate in scholarly conversations within their disciplines. This will expose them to the dialogue that occurs between a journal and a contributor in editing an article for publication. The Honors Review is chiefly an online journal. Read more .

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research (BJUR)

BJUR publishes original, scholarly research by undergraduates from any college or university. BJUR builds upon and strengthens Butler’s commitment to quality undergraduate research by providing an outlet for the publication of outstanding undergraduate scholarship across the humanities and social and natural sciences. Browse BJUR .

Crossing Borders: A Multidisciplinary Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

This publication encourages research among undergraduate students at Kansas State University and elsewhere. Crossing Borders introduces undergraduates to the processes and values of open-access, peer-reviewed communication, preparing them to be more critical consumers and producers of scholarly discourse.

Crossing Borders publishes work in a variety of formats including original case studies, reports of research or creative activity, book reviews and field notes. Submissions can be from any scholarly disciplines. Read more .

Journal of Student Research

Journal of Student Research is devoted to the rapid dissemination of current student research. The journal uses an automated process: Manuscript submission, peer review and publication are all handled online, and the journal automates all clerical steps during peer review. We accept submissions from undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate level students. Read more .

Journal of Undergraduate Research (JUR)

JUR is a peer-reviewed, undergraduate journal registered with the Library of Congress. We accept submissions of any subject, from any undergraduate institution and we receive hundreds of submissions for publication every year.

The review process for publication includes peer, graduate and faculty referees, ensuring JUR publishes competitive material that follows its standards for academic, creative and passionate work. We are always accepting submissions, which require about nine months for an initial decision. Explore opportunities .

Liberated Arts: A Journal for Undergraduate Research

Liberated Arts publishes radical and original student research on a variety of topics, with the aim of helping students participate in our wider academic research community. The journal is interdisciplinary in scope and perspective, and it is founded on academic collaboration between students, faculty and staff. We also welcome letters to the Editor, literature reviews and original graphics for the front journal cover. Explore the journal .

Midwest Journal of Undergraduate Research (MJUR)

Founded in 2010, MJUR is a peer- and faculty-reviewed journal produced by a team of Monmouth College student editors and faculty mentors. Scholars from a variety of colleges and universities contribute to the manuscript review process. Our mission is to support development of high-quality original undergraduate research, recognize exceptional undergraduate scholarly efforts and accomplishments and contribute to the undergraduate learning experience.

MJUR accepts submissions from all academic fields and from any undergraduate institution, national or international. New volumes are published annually in print and online. Read more .

Papers & Publications Interdisciplinary Journal of Undergraduate Research (P&P)

This regional, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal of undergraduate research and creative works is published and supported by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA) University of North Georgia.

P&P promotes student learning by disseminating undergraduate research and creative works that make an intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline or to applied practice. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.

Students in the southeastern region of the U.S. are invited to submit original work that has been presented at a conference, showcase, or capstone course either on their own campus or at a regional/national conference site. Original research papers and creative works are welcome from all departments and disciplines. Read more .

Pursue Undergraduate Research Journal (PURSUE)

PURSUE is a scholarly journal that provides undergraduates an avenue to publish original research articles in fields including but not limited to psychology, sociology, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, humanities, agriculture, architecture, business and education.

Original research articles included in this journal are peer-reviewed and selected by the journal’s editorial board. The review process allows undergraduate researchers to get feedback from notable scientists in their field of study and learn about the publication process. The journal is open to undergraduates from all colleges and universities. Explore PURSUE .

Reinvention: An International Journal of Educational Research

Reinvention is an online, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the publication of high-quality undergraduate student research. The journal welcomes academic articles from all disciplines at all universities.

Every article undergoes rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and refereeing by two or three anonymous referees. Reinvention is published bi-annually and only houses papers written by undergraduate students or papers written collaboratively by undergraduate students and academics. Read more .

Journal for Undergraduate Ethnography (JUE)

JUE is an online publication for undergraduate academic writing. The JUE seeks to publish original ethnographic research by undergraduate students working in a variety of disciplines. Our goal is to bring readers insights into subcultures, practices and social institutions. We expect crossovers with anthropology, sociology, urban studies and area studies, as well as programs in education, design or management. Browse JUE .

Perspectives on Undergraduate Research and Mentoring (PURM)

PURM is an open-access, multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed online journal supporting the mission of undergraduate research and the programs that strive to provide students opportunities to participate in scholarly activities with faculty mentors.

PURM currently runs on a themed-issue format, and general submissions are welcome. Each annual issue is released in the fall. Please see the Call for Papers for information on the current theme. PURM is an open-access journal, meaning that users have the right to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of these articles. Read more .

Process: Journal of Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Scholarship

This journal provides an online space for undergraduate writers across disciplines to share their work outside the context and constraints of the classroom. Each issue centers on a topic of contemporary interest to a global audience, fostering critical conversations that traverse disciplinary, cultural, and national borders.

We believe that undergraduate projects deserve serious attention, and we hope to encourage all undergrads to begin forging new pathways for the future of academic and public scholarship. Browse the journal .

Journal for Global Business and Community

This multidisciplinary e-journal serves those participating in and affected by the global economy. It offers undergraduate students a venue for publishing works that explore the functional dimensions of global business organizations and behavior or discuss the relationships between these businesses and the global economy with the political, social, cultural, economic, legal, technological and ethical issues derived from those relationships. All submissions are subject to student and faculty review. Read more .

Michigan Journal of Business

This academic journal is published annually by undergraduates at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. The Journal seeks to encourage undergraduate research related to the fields of business and economics.

By recognizing and publishing high-quality papers, the Journal provides an incentive for students to conduct research, explore academic areas of interest, and contribute to the body of academic knowledge.

The Michigan Journal of Business aims to publish distinguished theses, empirical research, case studies, and theories relating to the areas of accounting, economics, econometrics, finance, marketing, management, operations management, information systems, business law, corporate ethics and public policy. Explore the Journal .

The Developing Economist

Longhorn Chapter of the Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society and the Department of Economics at the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. Our mission is to publish exemplary undergraduate research in the fields of Economics, Mathematics, Political Economy, Finance and Public Policy while fostering a culture of undergraduate academic research at The University of Texas at Austin community. Read more .

Issues in Political Economy

This publication is committed to supporting and encouraging quality undergraduate research in all areas of economics. Through the process of research, writing and peer review, students engage the discipline in a way not possible by listening to lectures and reading textbooks.

Issues in Political Economy is edited and refereed entirely by students, with oversight from faculty at the University of Mary Washington and Elon University. The only requirements for submission are that the article:

• Pertains to some aspect of economics
• Is written during undergraduate study
• Is submitted through a faculty sponsor

Papers should be analytical and seek to add new understanding to the topic. Learn more .

Undergraduate Economic Review

The UER is a peer-reviewed journal aimed at promoting high quality undergraduate research. It is supported by the Department of Economics and The Ames Library at Illinois Wesleyan University. Read more .

Journal of Applied Educational and Policy Research: UNC-Charlotte (JAEPR)

JAEPR is a peer-reviewed, scholarly, open-access journal of the Center for Educational Measurement and Evaluation at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in partnership with the North Carolina Association for Researchers in Education (NCARE).

Published quarterly, all submissions undergo a rigorous peer-review process by members of the editorial staff, editorial board, and invited reviewers. JAEPR accepts manuscripts of original research, application of educational research methodology and commentaries on policy analysis.

Articles for the Research section report the results of empirical studies that focus on relevant educational policy-related topics. Articles for the Methods Forum section outline unique applications of educational research and evaluation methods. Articles for the Policy Forum section explore topics relevant to educational policy at the local, state, and national levels. Read more .

NHSA Dialog: UNC-Charlotte

The mission of NHSA Dialog: The Research-to-Practice Journal for the Early Childhood Field is to:

• Offer a quality outlet for research results to the Head Start and broader early childhood community
• Ensure that research results are effectively translated for practice and policy
• Provide a forum for communication between researchers and practitioners

This journal is a publication of the National Head Start Association (NHSA) and the Center for Educational Measurement and Evaluation (CEME) at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Read more .

International Journal of Exercise Science (IJES)

The primary aim of the IJES is to engage undergraduate and graduate students in scholarly activity as authors and reviewers as they develop into professionals. In accordance with this aim, manuscript submissions require at least one author be a student who played a prominent role in the overall study. Read more .

McGill Journal of Medicine (MJM)

MJM is an international, peer-reviewed publication run entirely by the medical and science students of McGill University. MJM's mandate is to provide students with the opportunity to publish on all aspects of medicine and to open dialogue on a variety of medical issues including education, practice and research.

The nature of the publication makes it particularly sympathetic to contributions from students who are just beginning their careers in the medical and scientific fields. This journal hopes to encourage students to continue their research by providing an editorial staff eager to consider their submissions. Many students publish their first articles with the MJM. Read more .

History Matters: An Undergraduate Journal of Historical Research: App State

History Matters is published annually by the Department of History at Appalachian State University. Our goal is to publish the best undergraduate historical research. We provide an opportunity for top undergraduates from a variety of schools to be recognized for their work, become familiar with the publishing process and engage in student-faculty collaboration. We are especially seeking research papers that use primary sources. Learn more .

Columbia Journal of History (CJH)

CJH is a publication of the Undergraduate History Council at Columbia University. The Journal was founded to provide opportunities for undergraduate students to contribute research to the field of history. Our executive board reviews submissions from history departments across the U.S. and abroad, selecting about 10% of submissions for inclusion in each biannual edition.

The Columbia Journal of History is an independent, peer-reviewed undergraduate research publication that promotes intellectual inquiry and recognizes outstanding historical literature on diverse subjects. Our Editors welcome the submission of historical research papers produced in seminars, upper-level electives, independent study and/or thesis programs. Read more .

Georgetown Journal of History

The Georgetown Journal of History is an online, academic publication dedicated to showcasing the best historical research by undergraduate students throughout the country and abroad.

In partnership with the Georgetown University History Department and the Phi Alpha Theta Historical Society, the Journal is spearheaded by an Editorial Board of undergraduate and graduate students. Every article published by the Journal undergoes a months-long process of editing and rewriting, all in the aim of presenting the best undergraduate historical scholarship available today. Read more .

Grand Valley Journal of History

Established by Grand Valley State University’s History Department in 2011, the Grand Valley Journal of History is a student-operated publication that seeks to provide undergraduate students of any discipline with the opportunity to publish their historical research.

The Journal helps undergraduate students to interact professionally with their fellow scholars in the world beyond the safe confines of their universities, while preparing them for further education and fulfilling careers. Browse the journal .

The Vanderbilt Historical Review

The Vanderbilt Historical Revie is a student-run, undergraduate journal of history that works in close collaboration with our Phi Alpha Theta chapter. We strive to provide a forum that promotes the discussion of history and help showcase the exceptional work of students from all over the world. Read more .

Ezra's Archives

Ezra's Archives is a publication put forth annually by the Cornell Historical Society. This journal, launched in the Spring of 2011, showcases stellar examples of undergraduate research in the field of history. Ezra's Archives accepts submissions from undergraduates at other universities. Read more .

Undergraduate Journal of Service Learning and Community-Based Research

This refereed, multidisciplinary, online undergraduate journal advances knowledge in new scholarly arenas by presenting intellectual and reflective work by undergraduate students.

We are committed to publishing a wide variety of topics related to service learning and community-based research from undergraduate scholars. Accepted articles contribute to the literature on service learning and community-based research through reflection, research or analysis.

As service learning and community-based research endeavors expand in academia, this journal strives to publish work expanding the knowledge of this type of research as well as overall awareness of service learning and community-based research experiences. Learn more .

Apollon Undergraduate eJournal

At Apollon, we strive to publish superior examples of undergraduate humanities research from a variety of disciplines as well as intellectual approaches. Our goal is to engage students in every stage of the process, beginning with student-faculty collaboration in generating undergraduate scholarship and finishing with the release of a polished digital journal.

Apollon takes advantage of the unique opportunity of venturing into the digital humanities by engaging with image, text, sound, video and a variety of presentation platforms in the process of showcasing many species of undergraduate research. Read more .

INQUIRIES Journal

This open-access academic journal highlights the work of students at the undergraduate level and above. The journal publishes work across a range of academic disciplines with a particular focus on the social sciences, arts and humanities. Read more .

Involve: A Journal of Mathematics

Involve showcases and encourages high-quality mathematical research involving students from all academic levels. The editorial board consists of mathematical scientists committed to nurturing student participation in research. Submissions in all mathematical areas are encouraged.

All manuscripts accepted for publication in Involve are considered publishable in quality journals in their respective fields and include a minimum of one-third student authorship. Submissions should include substantial faculty input; faculty co-authorship is required. The submission and accompanying cover letter must come from a faculty member. Browse the journal .

The Mathematics Exchange

This journal for undergraduate research in the mathematical sciences is a forum for student activities that are not necessarily original research but go beyond standard classroom material. Issues contain senior thesis abstracts, extra-curricular projects, and seminar and colloquium papers. Read more .

Minnesota Journal of Undergraduate Mathematics

This journal focuses on original mathematical research done primarily by undergraduate researchers in all areas of mathematics and its applications. Faculty may be involved in the research and writing through advising, mentoring and editing. The majority of original work and writing must be completed by students.

Students must have completed the research while undergraduates, although they do not need to be undergraduates at the time of submission. Each paper must be sponsored by a faculty member familiar with the work who will write a letter of support. Learn more .

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

This journal is devoted entirely to papers written by undergraduates on topics related to the mathematical sciences. Although the authors need not be undergraduates at the time of submission or publication, the work must have been completed before graduation.

The journal will be distributed freely in an electronic format. In order to maintain a high level of exposition, each paper must be sponsored by a mathematician familiar with the student's work, and each paper will be refereed. The editor-in-chief will make the final decision for publication.

The Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal is sponsored by the Mathematics Department at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Read more .

Neurogenesis: Duke

Every semester, we offer undergraduate researchers the opportunity to share their work with the Duke community. Interested students often reach out to us with original research, topic overviews and critical pieces. We welcome neuroscientific submissions of all sorts, and we especially love interdisciplinary work. Read more .

IMPULSE: The Premier Undergraduate Neuroscience Journal: App State

IMPULSE is the first international, online neuroscience journal for undergraduate publications. Submissions are reviewed by students worldwide under faculty guidance, and articles are immediately published online as they are accepted. Read more .

Duke University Journal of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (DUJPPE)

Founded in 2019, DUJPPE is an interdisciplinary publication providing a forum for young scholars to contribute to academic conversations in philosophy, politics, and economics.

The DUJPPE editorial board is seeking well written, original scholarship to publish in our biannual publication. Undergraduate students are encouraged to submit their work, such as research papers, theses, articles and literature reviews, for review. Students from all academic backgrounds are welcome to submit as long as the work is relevant to the aforementioned fields. Read more .

Aporia is an undergraduate journal of philosophy at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Aporia is published twice yearly: an online edition in the fall, and a print edition in the spring. The staff of Aporia consists of philosophy students at Brigham Young University. Browse the journal .

Episteme is a student-run journal that aims to recognize and encourage excellence in undergraduate philosophy by providing examples of some of the best work currently being done in undergraduate philosophy programs.

Episteme is the oldest undergraduate philosophy publication of its kind. Funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to the Five Colleges of Ohio (Next Steps in the Next Generation Library: Integrating Digital Collections into the Liberal Arts Curriculum, 2010). Learn more .

STANCE: An International Undergraduate Philosophy Journal

An International Undergraduate Philosophy Journal is produced and edited entirely by undergraduate students. We aim to enrich student learning by providing an opportunity for undergraduate students to have their original scholarly work reviewed by or published in a peer-reviewed academic journal. Read more .

The Journal of Politics and Society

This journal, with its particular focus on undergraduates and interdisciplinary coverage, is the only scholarly publication of its kind. The Journal only considers academic papers submitted by undergraduates. In a process comparable to the peer review and editing procedures of professional academic journals, selected papers are rigorously edited by the editorial board composed exclusively of undergraduates. Read more .

Journal of Undergraduate International Studies (JUIS)

JUIS, based at UW-Madison, is one of only two nationally distributed undergraduate international studies journals in the country. We publish academic articles that give voice to a body of typically unseen, yet thorough and often novel, scholarship. Read more .

Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics

This journal was founded in the spring of 2001 by the Delta Omega Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha at Purdue University, under the name The American Undergraduate Journal of Politics and Government.

With the sponsorship of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, the name of the Journal was changed to The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics beginning with the Fall 2004 issue.

The Journal is published online bi-annually by the Nu Omega Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, Oakland University. The Journal welcomes submissions from undergraduates of any class or major; submissions from Pi Sigma Alpha members are especially encouraged. The editorial board routinely receives honors theses, senior seminar projects, capstone projects and research methods papers. Read more .

Seriatim Journal of American Politics

Seriatim was founded on a simple premise: everyone has a voice. We hope to provide an avenue through which the genuine political speech of undergraduate students may better be heard and shared with the community at large.

Thus, Seriatim is an attempt to tangibly create Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’s conception of the “marketplace of ideas,” in which different opinions freely compete for the validation of the many. By using academic papers as well as original work, we hope to bring greater meaning to students’ work inside the classroom by making it accessible to a wider audience.

We encourage you to contribute to the undergraduate marketplace of ideas, either by submitting a paper you wrote for your politics class or by writing an original article on an issue of your choosing. Experience Seriatim .

Undergraduate Journal of Psychology: UNC-Charlotte (UJOP)

UJOP is published by the Department of Psychological Science. All undergraduate students are encouraged to submit original research or literature reviews to the UJOP review committee. This is an opportunity to experience the peer-reviewed journal process and to get your work into print. Read more .

Journal of Interpersonal Relations, Intergroup Relations and Identity (JIRIRI)

JIRIRI is an international scientific journal published annually in April. The mission is to offer undergraduate students a unique opportunity to fully experience the scientific method from the development of original ideas to their diffusion, through the peer review process.

The JIRIRI also aims to promote the conception and expression of new theoretical ideas in the fields of identity, interpersonal and intergroup relations; these ideas could become solid bases for large-scale studies.

JIRIRI publishes theoretical and empirical articles. Any undergraduate student in psychology or in a related field eager to share and refine ideas or results pertaining to identity, interpersonal or intergroup relations is invited to submit a manuscript. Learn more .

The Journal of Psychology and the Behavioral Sciences

JPBS is an annual periodical published by the Psychology and Counseling Department of Fairleigh Dickinson University at Madison, New Jersey. The responsibility for review and contact resides with the undergraduate and graduate journal student officers.

The officers' activities are coordinated by the current student editor. JPBS offers undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty, an opportunity to publish in a recognized academic journal. However, the undergraduate student, and not faculty members or graduate students, must be the first author of any accepted submission. Articles in any topical area of psychology are considered. Learn more .

The Journal of Undergraduate Ethnic Minority Psychology (JUEMP)

JUEMP is designed to address each of these points as it aims to speed the flow of research results; open access to ethnic minority researchers’ and samples’ ideas and knowledge; and encourage undergraduate researchers to conduct, present and publish empirical studies. Read more .

Undergraduate Journal of Psychology at Berkley

This annual publication allows undergraduate students who have completed scientific studies in psychology and psychology-related fields to publish their findings to the larger academic community, promoting further and more excellent undergraduate research. Explore the journal .

Yale Review of Undergraduate Research in Psychology

This annual journal showcases the best and most original research in psychology conducted by undergraduates from around the world. We publish research in all areas of psychology, including clinical, developmental, cognitive and social psychology.

Our goal is to contribute to the scientific advance by encouraging serious, quality research early in students’ academic careers. We provide a platform for undergraduate scientists to share their findings, and aim to bring together a community of young psychologists from both the U.S. and abroad. Read more .

Catalyst: Rice Undergraduate Science Research Journal

This journal showcases student perspectives on popular science topics and undergraduate research. We’re committed to fostering interdisciplinary interest in scientific writing and dialogue about science at Rice.

We invest in our writers to represent our organization, our university and the power of writing in this context to educate and engage a broad audience. We are passionate about making science accessible and engaging, whether you’re a Ph.D. research scientist or a casual reader hoping to learn a little bit about virtual reality. Read more .

Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development

Consilience is an online journal dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary dialogue on sustainable development. This journal aims to bring students, researchers, professors and practitioners from a variety of disciplines and geographical regions in direct conversation with each other through an online, academically rigorous medium.

Consilience publishes scholarly articles, opinion pieces, field notes, editorial columns and photo essays. By providing a public platform for discussion, we hope to encourage a global community to think more broadly, thoroughly and analytically about sustainable development.

The journal is run by a team of undergraduate and graduate students, under the guidance of faculty from Columbia University in the City of New York. Browse the journal .

Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal (CUSJ)

CUSJ is a professional-level, open-access science journal committed to publishing manuscripts of the highest scholarship resulting from significant scientific research or outstanding scientific analysis. Each paper published in the CUSJ undergoes a double-blind peer review process facilitated by the Journal's editorial review board and a faculty review by the CUSJ Faculty Advisory Board. Read more .

Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science

The Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science is a member of the Directory of Open Access Journals, an international group of open access journals as scientific and scholarly journals that meet high quality standards by exercising peer review or editorial quality control. Learn more .

Intersect: The Stanford Journal of Science, Technology, and Society

Intersect is an international, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, STS-focused, academic research journal run by undergrads. Intersect publishes online quarterly at intersect.stanford.edu and is regularly cited in Google Scholar.

Intersect is an open access journal that publishes three times each academic year at Stanford at the end of Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Read more .

Journal of Young Investigators (JYI)

JYI is a student-led initiative to broaden the undergraduate scientific experience, allowing students to participate in the scientific review and publication processes of its peer-reviewed undergraduate journal. Incorporated as a non-profit, student-run corporation, JYI represents over 50 different academic institutions from over half a dozen countries.

JYI is dedicated to representing undergraduate research in biological/biomedical sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and engineering, psychology and social sciences. We publish submissions from undergraduate students and allow them to experience the editorial side of scientific publication.

Student editors working with their faculty advisers review submissions from their peers and determine whether that work is acceptable for publication in JYI. Read more .

EvoS Journal: The Journal of the Evolutionary Studies Consortium

This, free, open-access journal is designed to promote the education of evolutionary theory in colleges and universities. An evolutionary education provides a framework for enhancing the research and theory in all disciplines. As such, EvoS Journal welcomes work from all academic disciplines as well as interdisciplinary scholarship that incorporates evolutionary theory across areas of study. Explore the journal .

Fine Focus: An International Microbiology Journal for Undergraduate Students

We are an international journal dedicated to showcasing undergraduate research in all fields of microbiology. Fine Focus is managed entirely by undergraduate students from production to print. We use an external editorial board of experts for double-blind peer review of manuscripts. We are the first microbiology research journal for undergraduate students. Read more .

Penn Bioethics Journal (PBJ)

PBJ is the premier peer-reviewed undergraduate bioethics journal. Established in 2004, PBJ provides a venue for undergraduates to make contributions to the field of bioethics. Embracing the interdisciplinary nature of bioethics, we review and publish original work addressing debates in medicine, technology, philosophy, public policy, law, theology and ethics, among other disciplines. Browse PBJ .

RURALS: Review of Undergraduate Research in Agricultural and Life Sciences

RURALS is a faculty-refereed international journal devoted to the publication of high quality research by undergraduates in all agricultural research problem areas including those described in the USDA, CSREES Manual of Classification of Agricultural and Forestry Research. Read more .

Journal of Undergraduate Chemistry Research

This peer review journal is published quarterly with papers of original research performed by undergraduates on all aspects of chemistry including analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, polymers and biochemistry. Learn more .

Undergraduate Publication Opportunities : Home

• Things to Consider when Finding a Place to Publish

Undergraduate Publication Opportunities

Prairie View A&M's  scholarly journal, “ PURSUE” , provides undergraduates an avenue to publish their original research articles in the following areas: (but not limited to) psychology, sociology, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, humanities, agriculture, architecture, business, and education.

Lists of Publication Opportunities (by Subject)

• Social Sciences

General Research Opportunities:  

American Journal of Undergraduate Research   is a national, independent, peer-reviewed, open-source, quarterly, multidisciplinary student research journal. 

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research   The Butler University Journal of Undergraduate Research publishes original, scholarly research undertaken by undergraduates from any college or university. BJUR builds upon and strengthens Butler’s commitment to quality undergraduate research by providing an outlet for the publication of outstanding undergraduate scholarship across the humanities, social and natural sciences.

Discussions Discussions is the Undergraduate Research Journal of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. They are accepting submissions from undergrads of all majors, all over the nation. Our current acceptance rates are around 30% and we are becoming more competitive every year.

Forbes & Fifth   Forbes & Fifth, a magazine published by Dietrich School undergraduates at the University of Pittsburgh, and sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity, unites works of research, creative writing, and scholarly articles under the banner of interdisciplinary collaboration. We seek articles of an interdisciplinary nature, both in form and content. We've featured research articles on Internet memes, Peruvian Terrorism, Mongolian folk rock, Great Britain's "Little Ice Age," as well as poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. We're also interested in visual art, translations, and reviews.

The Grassroots Writing Research Journal   The Grassroots Writing Research Journal is produced twice each year by the Writing Program at Illinois State University. The title of the journal reflects our aspirations—to present writing research by different authors and in a wide range of different topics, forms, and media. The journal solicits authors from within and outside of our institutions and other academic institutions. We've published faculty, graduate students, undergraduates, high school students and non-students -- all Writing Researchers. We encourage authors to share not only what they’ve learned about writing, but how they learned it. Thus, each new volume brings together a diverse collection of articles that all enact some form of writing research from a variety of authors. 

The Honors Review   A nationally competitive interdisciplinary journal by Augsburg University seeking illuminating, insightful and contemporary research at the undergraduate level. Students need not be members of Honors Programs to submit papers. The primary goal is to give all undergraduates the opportunity to participate in scholarly conversations within their disciplines and to expose them to the dialog that occurs between a journal and a contributor in editing an article for publication. The Honors Review will provide its authors with the unique chance to receive prompt and personal feedback during the editing process through the use of private online discussion forums.

Inquiries Journal An online open-access academic journal focused on publishing the work of university students from around the world in a wide range of academic disciplines.

International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities   A peer-reviewed, open-access journal by Pacific University   dedicated to the publication of outstanding scholarship by undergraduates and their mentors from academic institutions of higher learning. The Journal accepts submissions of research articles, fiction, poetry, photography, videos, and other creative works from undergraduate students in all academic disciplines.

Journal of Student Research Journal of Student Research is an electronic, academic, multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal.

Journal of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Excellence   JUR is a peer-reviewed, undergraduate journal by Colorado State University, that accepts submissions of any subject, from any undergraduate institution.

Lethbridge Undergraduate Research Journal   The Lethbridge University Undergraduate Research Journal is an online journal for undergraduate students to publish their academic papers in. It is run by and for undergraduate students. The L.U.R.J. is international in scope, and welcomes papers from all undergraduates. Papers are accepted at all times. New issues are released approximately every 4 months.

Midwest Journal of Undergraduate Research   The Midwest Journal of Undergraduate Research by Monmouth College is an academic peer-reviewed journal, produced under the direction of student editors and a faculty advisory board. The MJUR is dedicated to the publication of outstanding scholarship by undergraduates. The journal accepts submissions of research and analysis from all academic disciplines. Although the majority of manuscripts are submitted by students from colleges and universities in the U.S. Midwest, there is no regional restriction on submissions. Acceptance rate averages 25%. 

On Our Terms   On Our Terms is a journal by Barnard College created for students, by students. The journal's goal is to provide a platform for student thought, debate, and voice. Submissions consist of written articles or multimedia pieces – that reimagine and redefine the ideas pivotal to women and leadership. Key topics include women in activism and social movements, female change-makers in politics, literature or history, progressive women thinkers and intellectuals capturing women’s leadership in fine arts, and women’s influence in a changing global economy.

Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review   PUR is a multidisciplinary journal by the University of Pittsburgh that accepts papers from around the world.

Pursuit: The Journal of Undergraduate Research   Pursuit: The Journal of Undergraduate Research by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Pursuit is dedicated to publishing the scholarly work of undergraduates. The editors and review board are undergraduate students who consider and review submissions and work with select faculty and staff to publish Pursuit. All submissions must be double spaced and must be no longer than 30 pages (for Humanities and Social Sciences papers) or 15 pages (for Science and Engineering papers). Please use endnotes instead of footnotes. Submissions in the Sciences and Engineering fields should be written in the third person and should contain the following categories: abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion/conclusions, references.

Reinvention: an International Journal of Undergraduate Research   Reinvention: a Journal of Undergraduate Research by Monash University & the University of Warwick is an online, peer-reviewed journal, dedicated to the publication of high-quality undergraduate student research. The journal welcomes academic articles from all disciplinary areas. All articles in this journal undergo rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and refereeing by two anonymous referees. The journal is produced, edited and managed by students and staff at Monash University and the University of Warwick. It is published bi-annually and only houses papers written by undergraduate students.

Stanford Undergraduate Research Journal   The Stanford Undergraduate Research Journal (SURJ) by Stanford University is an annual peer-reviewed publication of research articles written primarily by Stanford undergraduates, but also by well-qualified students at other institutions, from all academic fields.

UReCA: The NCHC Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity   UReCA is a multidisciplinary Web journal sponsored by the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC). Our mission is to curate relevant, progressive and academic content that appeals to undergraduate students in the United States and abroad. We are seeking works from undergraduate students who are engaged in relevant and intriguing research.

Publication Opportunities in the Humanities: 

Apollon: The Undergraduate e-Journal   Apollon, by Berea College, cites their mission has: publishing superior examples of undergraduate humanities research from a variety of disciplines as well as intellectual approaches. Our goal is to engage students in every stage of the process, beginning with student-faculty collaboration in generating undergraduate scholarship and finishing with the release of a polished ejournal. Apollon strives to take advantage of the unique opportunity of venturing into the digital humanities by engaging with image, text, sound, and a variety of presentation platforms in the process of showcasing the many species of undergraduate research.

Armstrong Undergraduate Journal of History   Armstrong Undergraduate Journal of History is an online journal edited and produced by undergraduate students at Armstrong State University. The journal is dedicated to promoting undergraduate students’ research interest in history and their writing skills. The journal is also hoped to strengthen the collaborations in learning between undergraduates and graduates, students and faculty, and history majors and those from other study fields. All submissions will be fully refereed in a blind reviewing process by history professors and graduate students from Armstrong and other universities.

History Matters: An Undergraduate Journal of Historical Research   An undergraduate history journal, published annually on this website by the Department of History at Appalachian State University. The journal is edited by undergraduates with the help of a faculty board. Our goal is to publish the best undergraduate historical research possible. In doing so, we would like to provide an opportunity for top undergraduates from a variety of schools to be recognized for their work, familiarize them with the publishing process, and encourage student-faculty collaboration.

Madison Journal of Literary Criticism   The Madison Journal of Literary Criticism, by the University of Wisconsin - Madison, aims to provide a forum for undergraduate students to publish their scholarly work and engage in the contemporary literary debates ongoing in the larger academic community.

New Errands: Undergraduate Journal of American Studies   Seeking to develop the next generation of Americanists, New Errands, by the Penn State in Harrisburg, seeks to provide a venue for the publication of important original scholarship by emerging young scholars and to provide a teaching resource for instructors of American Studies looking for exemplary work to use in the classroom.

Queen City Writers   The Queen City Writers, by the University of Cincinnati, seeks thought-provoking pieces from any disciplinary perspective that explore questions and problems related to writing, rhetoric, reading, literacy broadly conceived, popular culture and media, community discourses, and multi-modal and digital composing. We expect that the work will be informed by critical conversations relevant to the topic–that is, composers should incorporate timely, pertinent research to support claims. In addition, we welcome projects that experiment with form, voice, style, and delivery.

Stance   Stance is an international philosophy journal published by Ball State University undergraduates. Beyond publishing manuscripts, we train an international external reviewer board. All manuscript authors receive constructive feedback. 8% acceptance rate.

UC Berkeley Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal   CLUJ provides undergraduate students around the world the opportunity to publish and share their research with an international audience. The Journal was founded by a Comparative Literature undergraduate student in 2011 and has since been recognized as a premier undergraduate journal featuring top peer-reviewed, undergraduate research in Comparative Literature. We invite abstracts from those working in, around, or critically engaging with topics in Literature from a comparative nature, broadly construed. Possible topics include interdisciplinary research across disciplines within the arts and sciences (e.g. literature and philosophy, literature and history, literature and science, literature and new media, etc.), research engaging with literary theory and ‘schools of criticism’ (e.g. gender studies and queer theory, postmodernism, cultural studies, Frankfurt School and critical theory, structuralism and semiotics, psychoanalysis, animal studies, posthumanism, etc.), and articles comparing at least two authors or texts, print and/or media.

Valley Humanities Review   The Valley Humanities Review, by Lebanon Valley University, is an online journal dedicated to the publication of excellent undergraduate research in the fields of the humanities. We believe that undergraduates are capable of exemplary research, so our goal is to showcase the best research in the humanities going on at colleges across the globe. 

Social Science Publication Opportunities: 

Eleven: Undergraduate Journal of Sociology   The Undergraduate Journal of Sociology publishes excellent sociological papers written by current and recent UC Berkeley undergraduates, as well as undergraduates from across the nation and countries such as Canada and Norway. A student-run publication, the journal provides an academic forum that highlights outstanding scholarship in the social sciences.

Issues in Political Economy   Issues in Political Economy, by Elon University & Mary Washington University, is a student run journal whose focus is to promote undergraduate research in all areas of economics.

Journal of Integrated Social Sciences The Journal of Integrated Social Sciences is a web-based, peer-reviewed journal committed to the scholarly investigation of social phenomena. We especially encourage students and their faculty advisors to submit the results of their investigations.

Journal for Undergraduate Ethnography The JUE is an online publication for undergraduate academic writing. The JUE seeks to distribute original scholarly ethnographies from a variety of disciplinary areas.

Journal of Young Investigators YI is dedicated to representing undergraduate research in biological/biomedical sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and engineering, psychology and social sciences.

Learning & Teaching: The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences Learning and Teaching (LATISS) is a peer-reviewed journal that uses the social sciences to reflect critically on learning and teaching in the changing context of higher education. The journal invites students and staff to explore their education practices in the light of changes in their institutions, national higher education policies, the strategies of international agencies and developments associated with the so-called international knowledge economy.

Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics   The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics was founded by the Delta Omega Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha at Purdue University.  The  Journal  welcomes submissions from undergraduates of any class or major; submissions from Pi Sigma Alpha members are especially encouraged.  Manuscripts may be submitted after graduation, as long as the research was completed while the author was an undergraduate. We strive to publish manuscripts of the highest quality in all areas of political science.  Submissions deadlines are  October 1  for the Fall issue and  February 1  for the Spring issue.

Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research The Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research educates, supports, and promotes professional development, and disseminates psychological science.  Submissions  are open year-round. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty are invited to pursue this unique opportunity to publish their research and gain invaluable research writing experience. All submissions must be original empirical research,  which may cover any topical area in the psychological sciences. Quantitative, qualitative, and replication studies are each welcome.

Undergraduate Economic Review   The Undergraduate Economic Review, by Wesleyan University, is an online peer-reviewed journal that promotes undergraduate economic research from around the world.

Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences   The URC Undergraduate Research Journal, by Kappa Omicron Nu,   is an annual online national, reviewed journal dedicated to the publication of undergraduate student research.  

Undergraduate Research Journal for Psychology   An annual publication of collaborative efforts between undergraduate students at UCLA and neighboring universities, The Undergraduate Journal of Psychology at UCLA aims to promote and disseminate student excellence in psychological research. The organization intends to serve the undergraduate community at large by making the publication process more accessible and highlighting the interesting and relevant nature of the study of psychology.

STEM Publication Opportunities: 

BIOS   BIOS, a quarterly journal of biology and the journal of Beta Beta Beta, Biological Society, has been published since 1930. The journal has three purposes: to publish matters that pertain to the affairs of the Society, to publish works by members and to publish articles that will be of general interest to biologists. They place a great emphasis on undergraduate publications for the journal. Membership to the Society is NOT required for publication in the BIOS.

DUJS Homepage   The Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science aims to increase scientific awareness by providing an interdisciplinary forum for sharing undergraduate research and enriching scientific knowledge. The DUJS prints quarterly journals that include science news and review articles, along with research by undergraduates.

Fine Focus   Fine Focus, by Ball State University, is an undergraduate research journal in microbiology. As the first microbiology research journal for undergraduates, Fine Focus has an international Editorial Board comprised of experts in all sub-disciplines of microbiology, and targets undergraduates who are performing research, and their mentors. Submitted manuscripts will go through a double-blind review process and, if accepted, articles will appear both in print and online. 

Electronic Journal of Undergraduate Mathematics Electronic Journal of Undergraduate Mathematics, by Furman University, is an online-only journal designed to encourage undergraduate research in the field of mathematics. Its online nature allows quick publishing of mathematics papers, giving undergraduate students an opportunity to see their work published prior to their graduation. The Journal is refereed, and in addition each student or group of students submitting a paper must have a sponsor, who must be a full-time faculty member at a two or four year college or university.

Illumin   Illumin, by the University of Southern California, is a student run online magazine dedicated to the fields of science and technology, specifically engineering. Submissions to the magazine come from USC undergraduate engineers along with submissions from universities across the nation.

Impulse: An Undergraduate Journal for Neuroscience   IMPULSE, by Appalachian State University, is the first international, online neuroscience journal for undergraduate publications. The journal is peer reviewed by students worldwide.

International Journal of Exercise Science The primary aim of the International Journal of Exercise Science is to engage undergraduate and graduate students in scholarly activity as authors and reviewers as they develop into professionals. In addition to providing students with an outlet for manuscript submission, the Journal will engage students as peer reviewers, thus providing students with a more encompassing experience with regards to scholarly activity. All student authors who have a manuscript accepted in the Journal will be added to the reviewer pool and may have the opportunity to serve as a peer reviewer on future submissions.

Involve - A Journal of Mathematics Involve showcases and encourages high-quality mathematical research involving students from all academic levels and universities.

Journal of Undergraduate Chemistry Research   The Journal of Undergraduate Chemistry Research is a new peer review journal that will be published quarterly with papers of original research performed by undergraduates on all aspects of chemistry including analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, polymers and biochemistry. Authorship may be by the student or their professor.

Journal of Undergraduate Kinesiology Research   The Journal of Undergraduate Kinesiology Research is published by the Kinesiology Department at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The peer reviewed, Internet-based journal is dedicated to original undergraduate research in Kinesiology. The Editor-In-Chief invites Kinesiology-related, undergraduate research from all academic institutions.

Journal of Undergraduate Sciences   The Journal of Undergraduate Sciences, by Harvard University, is the nation's premiere peer review scientific journal dedicated to original research done by undergraduates and high school students. Written and published by students for students, they publish articles in a wide variety of fields, ranging from Astronomy to Zoology. As a collaborative effort between undergraduates, graduate students, and professors, JUS is a forum in which students can participate in the frontiers of science and become acquainted with the important scientific issues. Additionally, JUS encourages undergraduates to gain valuable experience by communicating their research to an audience of peers. 

Online Journal for Undergraduate Research in the Marine and Aquatic Sciences MarSci is an inter-institutional venue for publishing undergraduate research manuscripts pertaining to the marine and aquatic sciences. Students interested in writing a manuscript based on their undergraduate research experience, as well as research advisors to undergraduates, should find MarSci to be the perfect opportunity for undergraduates to engage in the process of submission and publication, a unique learning experience that is not typically available to most undergraduate scientists.

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal   The Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal, by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, is devoted entirely to papers written by undergraduates on topics related to mathematics. Although the authors need not be undergraduates at the time of submission or publication, the work must have been completed before graduation.

RURALS: Review of Undergraduate Research in Agricultural and Life Sciences   A faculty-refereed journal by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln , Rurals' is devoted to the publication of high quality research by undergraduates worldwide. They accept research in all areas including, but not limited, to those described in the USDA, CSREES Manual of Classification of Agricultural and Forestry Research. Maintained at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Articles by graduate students will be considered if the work has been completed as undergraduates. Articles are instantly issued upon acceptance.

SIAM Undergraduate Research Online (SIURO)   The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics journal is devoted to undergraduate research in applied and computational mathematics. The wide range of applied topics published include analysis, discrete mathematics, statistics, operations research, optimization, dynamical systems, modeling, computation, and more.

Other Publication Opportunities: 

Consilience, The Journal of Sustainability Development   Consilience, by Columbia University, is an online journal dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary dialogue on sustainable development. This journal aims to bring students, researchers, professors, and practitioners from a variety of disciplines and geographical regions in direct conversation with each other through an online, academically rigorous medium. Consilience publishes scholarly articles, opinion pieces, field notes, editorial columns and photo essays. 

The Dialectics: Undergraduate Journal of Leadership, Politics, and Society   The Dialectics, by Pennsylvania State University, is an electronic journal devoted to undergraduate scholarship and discourse. The Journal welcomes high quality essays on issues of public importance.

Digital America Digital America, by the University of Richmond, is a new, online journal that features student work on digitization, digital culture, and American life. We also feature process projects in courses that engage digital media and digital culture, and we feature ongoing commentary on topical, digital issues. We accept traditional papers as well as new media pieces, digital art, and short films. 

EVOS Journal EvoS Journal: The Journal of the Evolutionary Studies Consortium is a journal designed to promote the education of evolutionary theory in colleges and universities. EvoS Journal welcomes work from all academic disciplines as well as interdisciplinary scholarship that incorporates evolutionary theory across areas of study.

First-Gen Voices   First-Gen Voices: Creative and Critical Narratives on the First-Generation College Experience is a peer-reviewed journal by Layola Marymount University. They publish creative writing, visual and recorded art, and scholarly work by first-generation college community (i.e.: students, faculty, and staff whose parents have not completed bachelors’ degrees from institutions in the United States). First-Gen Voices offers a space where individuals from diverse backgrounds can engage one another in conversation through their shared social identity as first-gen college students. 

The Kennessaw Tower   The Kennesaw Tower is an undergraduate research journal affiliated with and based in the Department of Foreign Languages at Kennesaw State University. Their mission is the diffusion and participation of quality, undergraduate research projects in French, German, Italian, and Spanish into the regional, national and international arena through an online medium.

Penn Bioethics Journal The Penn Bioethics Journal by the University of Pennsylvania is the nation's premier peer-reviewed undergraduate bioethics journal.  All undergraduate students may submit bioethics pieces to the PBJ by the submission deadline.  Call for papers e-mails are sent out throughout the year If you would like to be added to our e-mail list or have questions about PBJ, please reach us at  [email protected] .

Penn Undergraduate Law Journal   A student-run research publication at the University of Pennsylvania, the Penn Undergraduate Law Journal seeks to foster scholarly discourse on topical and historical issues pertaining to law or the legal system. In this spirit, the journal's principal objective is to publish exceptional undergraduate works, drawn from an array of disciplinary perspectives, that evaluate and elucidate the intricacies, vagaries, and nuances of the law as they relate to domestic and international affairs, business, academia, and society.

Southern California International Review   SCIR is a global undergraduate international studies journal published biannually and funded by the School of International Relations at the University of Southern California (USC). Article topics published in the journal range from economic and political issues to cultural and social themes. The journal seeks to foster and enhance discussion between theoretical and policy-oriented research regarding significant global issues.

Undergraduate Journal of Global Citizenship   Four undergraduate students with the help of Fairfield University’s International Studies Program created the Undergraduate Journal of Global Citizenship. The journal is designed to highlight the accomplishments of young minds in constant intellectual engagement with their surroundings. We welcome undergraduate submissions that showcase and promote the understanding of global citizenship and social responsibility. We view global citizenship as a disengagement from barriers into a recognition and understanding of human actions with social, political, environmental, and/or economic impact worldwide. 

Undergraduate Journal of Service Learning and Community-Based Research   The Undergraduate Journal of Service-Learning and Community-Based Research by Penn State Barks adds to the increasing number of scholarly journals that invite undergraduates to pursue their own intellectual projects. We seek undergraduate contributions to the burgeoning academic conversation on service-learning and community-based research. The Undergraduate Journal of Service Learning and Community-Based Research is open to undergraduate students in the U.S. and across the globe in all subject areas. 

Open Calls for Proposals (Undergrad Eligible)

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What is an Undergraduate Research Journal?

Tips for writers, undergraduate research journals links.

This guide contains information for undergraduates interested in publication. Links are provided to each journal wherein guidelines for submissions are provided.

How many people have read your 10-page term paper? If you're like most students, the answer is probably somewhere around two: you and your professor.  Exceptional work by undergraduate students, done for class or for independent research, often goes unnoticed, but in the professional academic world, research is not finished until its results are shared with others. With an increasing emphasis in universities on undergraduate research experiences, many journals offer undergraduate students the chance to complete the scientific process, including writing up the finished research, having it peer reviewed, and ultimately having it published in the scientific literature.

There are several reasons that undergraduate students should consider submitting their work to an Undergraduate Research Journal:

1.       It illustrates the high quality of undergraduates' scholarly work , whether it is traditional data-based activity, literature reviews, or historical research. Because modeling can facilitate learning, showing students what their peers have accomplished should help to encourage ever widening circles of students to become engaged in and excited about research.

2.       Transmitting the results of one's scholarship through a printed medium requires development of formal written communication skills.  According to employers and professional and graduate school faculty, increasing undergraduates' written communication skills would make those students more attractive for employment and for admission to post graduate training or education. Journals provide an excellent opportunity for students to list a professional publication on their resume.

3.       It increases students' success in life following graduation.  The amount of time and focus required to prepare a research paper for publication prepares students for other difficult, yet rewarding tasks they will face throughout their lives.

4.       Undergraduate research is a vital component in education.  The literature suggests that students take projects more seriously and learn more when the project is directed towards an external rather than an internal audience such as a class assignment.

5.       Undergraduate research journals provide an incentive for students to write papers.  Writing papers empowers students to share their knowledge with others and promotes discussion in the undergraduate community to which they belong.

The journals listed in this guide all accept submissions from undergraduate students throughout the U.S. Some are published only online, while others produce a print edition. Although mostly geared toward scholarly works, many of these journals also encourage creative submissions such as fiction and art. A few of these journals ( Plains Song Review, RURALS,  and  Nebraska Anthropologist ) are published here at University of Nebraska-Lincoln! If you are aware of journals that should be added to the list, or if you have questions about a specific journal, please contact the owner of this guide.

"Undergraduate research not only bridges the gap between knowledge and experience but has the benefit of laying the groundwork for career exploration and development. The opportunity for undergraduates to publish in a national journal is an added value to the overall education experience and to the process of self-discovery." --  Kappa Omicron Nu Human Science Honor Society

Academic publishing requires attention to detail. Ask yourself these questions before submitting a paper to an academic journal.

• Does my paper fit within the journal's subject area?
• Is it within the journal's word limit or page limit?
• Are my sources properly cited in the journal's required style? (For example, APA style)
• Have I included all the materials the journal wants me to submit? (For example, a cover letter, title page, or abstract)
• Am I submitting my paper before the publication deadline? (Most journals in this list do not have deadlines, but some do)
• Have I had a professor, colleague, friend, etc. proofread my paper so there are no errors?

These journal listings are for information purposes only. USMA librarians cannot tell you what journals to submit your paper to. It is the writer's responsibility to check the journals' websites for the most up-to-date information. This page was last updated in February 2022.

Description:  "We publish undergraduate research papers, term papers, and honors theses in the field of economics, political science, public policy, business, statistics, and related fields. All undergraduate students currently enrolled in an accredited college or university are welcome to submit content for review." Published by:  University of California, Berkeley Submission deadline:  September 25 for Fall issue. Submissions received after the deadline will be considered for the Spring issue.

Description: "Our mission is to publish exemplary undergraduate research in the fields of Economics, Mathematics, Political Economy, Finance, and Public Policy while fostering a culture of undergraduate academic research." Published by: University of Texas at Austin Submission guidelines: Up to 25 pages.

Description: "Committed to supporting and encouraging quality undergraduate research in all areas of economics, the Journal was founded on the belief that the best way to learn economics is to do economics." Published by: Elon University / University of Mary Washington

Description:  "Dedicated to examining the role of business in the global economy as well as related issues of community and economic development." Published by:  Florida International University Miami Submission guidelines:  Recommends 5-15 pages; may accept longer articles.

Description: "The Michigan Journal of Business aims to publish distinguished theses, empirical research, case studies, and theories relating to the areas of accounting, economics, econometrics, finance, marketing, management, operations management, information systems, business law, corporate ethics, and public policy." Published by: University of Michigan Submission guidelines: Up to 50 pages.

Description: "Opus 1 makes cutting-edge economic theory and up-to-date applications of economic concepts accessible to undergraduate economics majors/minors and general readers. Opus 1 thinks that economic concepts can best be tested by applying them to real-world case studies." Published by: University of Memphis Submission guidelines: Longer submissions such as senior seminar papers and honor theses - up to 20 pages. "Economic Encounters" - 500 words. **Note: Still accepting submissions, but has not published in a few years due to lack of quality articles.**

Description: "Welcomes submissions from current or recent undergraduate students in philosophy, politics, economics and related fields worldwide." Published by: Virginia Tech Submission guidelines: 5000-8000 words.

Description:  "Provides undergraduates an avenue to publish their original research articles in the following areas: (but not limited to) psychology, sociology, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, humanities, agriculture, architecture, business, and education." Published by:  Prairie View A&M University Submission deadline:  October 10 for the Fall issue and March 10 for the Spring issue.

Description:  "The journal consists of agricultural economics articles written and submitted by undergraduate students to the annual AAEA undergraduate paper competition. However, papers may be submitted directly to the Journal if the student cannot attend the AAEA annual meetings." Published by:  Agricultural & Applied Economics Association Submission guidelines:  Up to 20 pages. Submission deadline:  May 31.

Description:  " We welcome work in any field of economics and in related disciplines, such as political science, public policy, international relations, management science, applied mathematics, business, and finance. We also enthusiastically support interdisciplinary work. " Published by:  Stanford University Submission guidelines:  Around 15-30 pages. Submission deadline:   Generally, research papers should be no longer than 25 pages. Commentary submissions must abide by a strict 500 – 750 word limit.

Description:  "An online journal that promotes high quality original undergraduate economic research by publishing student authored research from around the world." Published by:  Illinois Wesleyan University Submission guidelines:  Around 15-30 pages. Submission deadline:  No deadline; submitted papers are reviewed between September and April.

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Open Access

Ten simple rules to make the most out of your undergraduate research career

* E-mail: [email protected]

Affiliation University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America

Affiliation Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

• Megan Yu, 

Published: May 4, 2017

• https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005484
• Reader Comments

Citation: Yu M, Kuo Y-M (2017) Ten simple rules to make the most out of your undergraduate research career. PLoS Comput Biol 13(5): e1005484. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005484

Copyright: © 2017 Yu, Kuo. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Competing interests: The authors have read the journal's policy and have the following conflicts: MY is a blogger at the PLOS Early Career Researcher (ECR) Community blog. No other competing interests exist.

In 2008, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), a national organization founded in 1978 that promotes research opportunities for faculty members and undergraduates, featured 2,800 presenters in their annual undergraduate conference. Today, it has developed to include numerous disciplines ranging from biochemistry to theater and drama, and nearly 10,000 members and over 900 universities have participated in its endeavor to promote undergraduate research [ 1 ]. These statistics not only highlight the prevalence of undergraduates participating in research but also demonstrate the importance of research in undergraduate education.

Many undergraduates have reported numerous benefits from participating in research. In a study involving about 4,500 undergraduates that participated in undergraduate research opportunities sponsored by the National Science Foundation, respondents reported an increased level of understanding, resilience, and confidence in performing research and motivation to apply for graduate school programs [ 2 ]. In another analysis of 76 student interviews from four liberal arts colleges, undergraduates believed they have gained more laboratory (lab) techniques and have developed an attitude to “thinking and working like a scientist” [ 3 ]. These lab techniques and research attitudes are essential, as they help undergraduates develop better research habits and the solid foundation of knowledge and experience needed for their future research careers. For instance, knowing how to manage large datasets effectively, such as large patient genetic datasets and electronic health records, and designing proper algorithms and computational models to analyze data are essential skills for undergraduates interested in computational biology. In addition, unlike classroom learning, undergraduate research provides hands-on experience that allows undergraduates to gain a deeper understanding of the scientific process and to develop better research habits.

Despite the multiple benefits that research offers, undergraduates sometimes struggle and feel overwhelmed with the research process. Some undergraduates may not be familiar with the dynamics of the lab and may be afraid to interact with their lab colleagues and mentors. Other undergraduates may not completely understand the purpose of their work and feel overwhelmed by not knowing the results of their experiments before performing them. These consequences could, in turn, have detrimental effects on the relationship between undergraduates and their lab colleagues and decrease the motivation for undergraduates to pursue research in the future [ 4 – 5 ]. In light of these concerns, we propose ten simple rules constructed from our experiences as a college senior and a professor who has worked with undergraduate researchers that would help undergraduates enjoy and intellectually enrich their research experiences. Although this article may have components that are covered elsewhere [ 6 – 10 ], it extends and refines some advice from earlier articles so that they are more suitable for undergraduates.

Rule 1: Start early

As an undergraduate, you may not know what type of research project you would like to pursue or whether it fits into your future research career. Therefore, it is essential to start early to explore and develop your research interests and goals. Your goal could be to gain more research experience before attending graduate school or to determine whether you prefer working in the industry to working in academia. Or, you might be new to research and hope to determine whether you would incorporate it into your future career or not. Whatever your reason is, be sure to start early to give yourself ample time to reflect on your goals and interests.

Finding the right research lab could take more than emailing several professors or research managers; it might require meeting a member of a lab at a conference or taking a tour of the lab to determine if it is the right fit. You might even consider joining professional research societies or research networks at your university to explore which areas are actively shaping the field and network with other researchers. For instance, the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) hosts numerous conferences and forums for computational biologists and students to network and promote their scientific research. It also has a career center for students and researchers to find jobs and be recognized for their talents [ 11 ]. Additionally, if you expect to publish during your undergraduate research career, you might want to start early to ask other professors and students within your department or look up the publication patterns of the potential mentor’s research group on the lab website.

As you become a new member of a lab, you might need some time to acclimate to the new lab environment and determine your commitment to doing research. You may find that life catches you off guard as you start to juggle between classes, jobs, and extracurricular activities, thus causing you to not find enough time to do research. Starting early, such as during your freshman or sophomore year, would provide you with ample time to explore your research goals and interests and participate in meaningful research activities.

Rule 2: Know your foundational knowledge and skills

When you begin searching for undergraduate research positions, it is helpful to have already taken the recommended courses related to your research experience. Many professors would evaluate your knowledge and competence in a particular field to predict your success in the lab. Having the background knowledge in the research area of your chosen lab will help you understand the science behind the studies and experiments that are performed and will serve as useful foundational knowledge should you decide to pursue an independent research project in the future. For instance, while a computational biology lab might have a variety of lab members each with a different set of skills, such as a statistician, bioinformatician, or a software developer, it is helpful to have taken courses in computer science, programming, statistics, and biology before joining the lab. If your lab participates in a lot of programming activities, you might also consider brushing up on your coding and programming skills and taking a variety of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in computer science and programming [ 12 – 13 ]. Another way to gain more foundational knowledge is to read as much as you can about the topics pertaining to your chosen research lab from peer-reviewed journal articles, especially the papers that your chosen lab has published, or from popular science magazines. Table 1 lists some useful online resources for undergraduates to gain additional background preparation for their research experiences.

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005484.t001

While it is important to have the foundational knowledge before entering a lab, you should also remember to provide yourself enough time to do research (Rule 1). The process of finding the right time to do research can be complicated and may require you to seek additional help. For instance, you might consider discussing undergraduate research with potential mentors or advisers within your department. You might even visit the career center or take some research methodology or independent study courses at your university to determine if you are prepared. While starting research in your junior or senior year reduces the likelihood of publishing, you might have more foundational knowledge from your classes and have a more individualized approach to achieve your research goals and interests. Whatever it is you choose to do, make sure that you exploit the resources around you and give yourself enough time to decide when is the right time to do research.

Rule 3: Let passion guide your research interests and goals

Like with many things in life, your interests and passions should help guide you to which research projects and fields you would like to pursue. Being interested in and passionate about the subject matter helps alleviate some of the mental and physical burden you may feel when spending countless hours in the lab. Before accepting an undergraduate research opportunity, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Is this research opportunity related to my academic interests?
• What kind of research experience am I looking for, and what do I hope to gain from the experience?
• How much time am I willing to commit, and what skills do I have that would contribute to this experience?
• Do the professors whom I work for have similar academic interests as I do?

While many universities host many conferences and discussion forums in which professors, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers present their work, these events are also an opportunity for aspiring undergraduate researchers to meet with presenters and explore their academic interests. Take advantage of them! Exploring the websites of different research labs and other forms of apprenticeship should not be overlooked, as they are opportunities to gauge your interest in those fields and whether the research lab you are interested in is a good fit for you or not.

Moreover, being enthusiastic about the subject matter helps improve the chemistry you have with your lab director or with your research colleagues (Rules 4 and 6). While your colleagues and mentors are always willing to help you, it would make a better impression and would facilitate more dynamic discussions if you care about the topic. Your mentors and lab colleagues are also more motivated to help you with your project.

Rule 4: Build positive relationships with your lab colleagues

As you become a new member of a research team, it is critical to be familiar with the dynamics of the lab and build good relationships with your research colleagues. Every lab has its own unique qualities. Some labs, such as basic science labs, may have a large team of senior researchers or graduate students performing experiments to investigate certain phenomena and developing assays on biofluid samples. Other labs, such as social science labs, may have a large team of graduate or undergraduate research assistants enrolling human participants to investigate a certain phenomenon. You might even have a research lab that involves a lot of collaborative research partnerships, sometimes international, with other labs. This is particularly true for labs that are largely interdisciplinary in nature or require highly technical equipment and expertise, such as a computational biology lab or a particle physics lab. There are also some labs that involve a small team of professors analyzing historical data, such as those in the humanities. Regardless of what type of research lab you are in, try to analyze the dynamics among the lab members, as this would help you acclimate to the new environment. You should also learn the expectations of your lab colleagues, as it would help you establish good research habits. Should you decide to have your own lab in the future, understanding lab dynamics and building good relationships with your research colleagues would help you understand your future undergraduate trainees and become a better mentor. Additionally, you should always treat your lab colleagues with respect as this would improve your relationship with them. They could serve as future collaborators, connections, or resources, as they may have more experience in certain research areas than you. Having occasional discussions or chats with them is another way to build better relationships with your lab colleagues.

Rule 5: Keep an open mind and do not be afraid to ask questions

As an undergraduate, you may not be expected to know how to develop a research question that leads to a significant discovery and is feasible to answer within a limited amount of time. Or, you might be working in a large lab with so many open research questions and projects that you may not have the autonomy to develop your own research project. It is thus important to keep an open mind. Try to learn techniques and obtain new knowledge by having conversations with your senior colleagues. You should also allow your research mentor to guide you and give you advice, such as networking opportunities at professional research societies (Rule 1). Remember that learning how to do scientific research takes some time and effort (Rule 7), and your mentor is there to help you formulate your research project and guide you toward answering that question. Even after you have demonstrated competence in the lab, you should still keep an open mind, as there may be moments where you are inspired with a novel idea that may be relevant to your work. For instance, you might read an interesting news article about a study relevant to your research and wish to incorporate it into your project (Rule 10). Or, you might receive some useful advice from a conversation with a lab colleague and hope to include it into your work (Rule 4).

In addition to keeping an open mind, you should not be afraid to ask your senior colleagues any question regarding your research project or a particular research field. Asking questions is a great way to make an impression and foster open communication with your lab colleagues. It also allows you to learn more about a certain project you might not understand or any networking or presenting opportunity (Rule 9) that may be helpful for your future research career.

Rule 6: Foster open communication with your research mentor and maintain a work/life balance

Research requires a significant amount of your time and energy and may take a mental and physical toll on your health, particularly if you are doing research during the school year. It is thus important to foster open communication with your research mentor. Remember that your mentor is providing you with the time and resources you need to succeed in the lab, so it is essential that you remain honest about your availability and work. Be sure to let your mentor know about your availability and goals working in the lab during the semester. Research should also be equally balanced with other extracurricular activities that you enjoy, as they would help you maintain a good work/life balance and could be helpful for your future career.

Fostering open communication with your mentor also demonstrates your initiative and progress to your mentor. As your research mentors may be busy with teaching and other scholarship endeavors, it is helpful to set up weekly meetings with them to demonstrate your progress and obtain constructive feedback for your work. You will build a stronger connection with your mentor and your mentor will be more likely to help you by writing you a strong letter of recommendation or helping you coauthor a peer-reviewed paper. If you encounter any moment in which the data you have collected do not meet your expectations, you should still discuss your progress with your mentor at least once per week, because you may fall into a vicious cycle in which you work hard to try to produce positive results in vain. During these instances, your mentor may slightly alter your research project so that you would not fall into that trap and lose motivation in doing research.

Rule 7: Learn research by doing it

An important part of learning the scientific research process is to actually perform the research. Without setting up the experiment and testing your hypothesis properly, you will never know the truth about your research question [ 14 ]. As you perform the experiment, you might find an interesting discovery or gain more experience in doing a particular technique. Doing research also helps you develop better research skills and learn how to deal with setbacks. Regardless of what happens after you perform the experiment, try not to grow too attached to your data and do not put much stress on yourself if your study fails to produce significant results. Instead, you should remain confident and learn from your hardships. Be sure to also have open discussions about your results with other scientists or your lab group. While contributing to a peer-reviewed publication is definitely an impressive accomplishment that many undergraduates aspire to achieve, try not to give yourself too much pressure should your research contributions not turn out the way you expected or do not meet the standards required for a peer-reviewed publication.

Another helpful way to learn the scientific research process is to gain different or more diverse research experiences, especially when your interests change or if things do not turn out the way you have expected. These could be in the form of working on a different project in the same lab or transitioning to another lab to develop a different set of skills. For instance, if your goal is to become an experimental biologist to test for particular types of bioactivity of a drug or biomarker at the cellular or molecular level but your research experience thus far has only focused on data mining in large, biological databases, you might consider moving to a lab that focuses on developing high throughput assays that test these biomarkers and drugs. Whatever your choice is, be sure to let your mentor know of your decision and do the necessary background preparation you need to succeed in the next step of your undergraduate research career (Rule 2). You should also thank your former mentor and lab colleagues, as they have invested some time, effort, and resources in you.

Rule 8: Be organized

Good organizational skills facilitate effective research and help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Having an organized lab notebook or a folder with essential background research papers is critical for analyzing data or generating new ideas or proposals for your research project. Most importantly, being organized will help you tremendously when you present your results in a symposium or peer-reviewed publication, as it allows you to complete work in a timely manner. Good organizational skills also help you avoid being overwhelmed and overscheduling yourself with additional activities and other scholarly pursuits.

Rule 9: Find opportunities to present your work

As an aspiring scientist, you should try to find opportunities to present your work. This could range from having an elevator pitch with a committee member to presenting your work at a conference or in a peer-reviewed paper. These opportunities would not only improve your communication and interpersonal skills and publicize your accomplishments but would also allow you to network with other scientists. Many universities host symposiums during the school semester, and some conferences allow undergraduates to submit an abstract for peer-review. In addition, many summer research programs and postbaccalaureate research programs host poster sessions or other conferences at the end of the research session for students to present their work.

Rule 10: Keep up with the scientific literature

As an undergraduate researcher, it is helpful to keep up with the scientific literature, as it could provide some inspiration for your research project. For example, your research project might involve the role of a certain gene in the development of a disease and you might come across a scientific paper that cited a publicly available genetic database that could be helpful for your project. You might also have recently encountered an issue with your project for which another research group has just found a potential solution. These news items do not have to be peer-reviewed articles; they could include news from a variety of popular scientific news websites or magazines ( Table 1 ). Keeping up with the scientific literature also helps you gain some additional background knowledge and skills you may need to use in your research project (Rule 2).

Undergraduate research is an essential part of undergraduate education, as it offers many opportunities, ranging from developing the attitude to work as a researcher to networking and collaborating with other scientists. It is also fun and intellectually rewarding, as it allows you to uncover the truth about a phenomenon or develop better methods to investigate how the world works. These benefits are often not otherwise available in undergraduate education. Therefore, undergraduate research should be included in one’s undergraduate career if one is interested in pursuing research in the future. We hope that the advice and tips presented in this article will inspire and encourage other undergraduate researchers to enjoy and make the most out of their undergraduate research careers.

• 1. Council on Undergraduate Research. Washington, D.C. 2017. http://www.cur.org .
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• 11. International Society of Computational Biology. Bethesda, MD. 2017. https://www.iscb.org/ .

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Educational research suggests that undergraduate and professional student research is one of the practices that contributes to student retention and engagement, a proven and powerful practice for enhancing educational outcomes and expanding frontiers of knowledge. There is a vibrant culture of undergraduate and professional student research at Purdue with almost 2,000 research projects completed every year. An emphasis on experiential learning and the real-world application of knowledge are two distinguishing characteristics of the Purdue student experience.

The aim of establishing JPUR is to further encourage the development of undergraduate research at Purdue by showcasing the best work in a tangible, centralized, and public way. JPUR will be of benefit to students, faculty, and administration:

• Student authors will benefit from experiencing the scholarly publishing process; from submission, through review and development, to formal publication. They will learn valuable lessons in scientific writing and publication ethics. Published articles will be tangible evidence of achievement, valuable for their future careers. Student editors will learn about the publishing process from behind the scenes, better preparing them to be the academic authors of the future.
• Faculty will be encouraged by the richness of undergraduate research activity in the University, and motivated to act as mentors. Working toward an end goal of publication, whether it is in JPUR or the journal of a disciplinary society, provides teaching moments to develop information literacy knowledge.
• For University Administration, the journal will provide an undergraduate recruiting and retention device, K-12 outreach material, and a fund raising tool. JPUR will advertise Purdue as a place where undergraduates are involved with innovative research early and often. The professional electronic edition of the journal will reach global audiences (this impact will be tracked using usage analysis tools), strengthening Purdue's ability to attract outstanding international students.
• There are two options for submissions to the annual volume: The first deadline is November 15; the second deadline is February 15 of each year.
• The ISSNs for this journal are 2158-4044 (Print) and 2158-4052 (Online).
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Center for Undergraduate Research and Engaged Learning

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Undergraduate Research Journal

                                                                                                             2023 Undergraduate Research Journal

The University of California Riverside Undergraduate Research Journal provides a student-edited multi-disciplinary journal that features the very best faculty-mentored undergraduate research and scholarship accomplished on our campus. This peer-review process is managed by the Student Editorial Board (SEB) with guidance from the Faculty Advisory Board (FAB), and logistical support from the  Center for Undergraduate Research and Engaged Learning team . The Journal is sponsored by the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education.

Prior to submission , students should review all Journal Requirements including paper requirements, guidelines, and other submission information.

Publishing workshops are provided to clarify expectations for successful article submission:

• Students interested in submitting articles to the Journal are highly encouraged to read through the Author Workshop presentation .  
• Those students who are unable to attend should carefully review the Journal Formatting Guidelines (below).
• The workshops will be presented by a member of the Student Editorial Board who outline the expectations, will provide clarification, and answer specific questions about preparing an article for submission.

Article Submission:

Fall: Oct. 13, 2023 at 5pm

Winter: Jan. 8, 2024 at 5pm 

Spring: April 5, 2024 at 5pm

Submit Article Here

Cover Art Submission:

April 20, 2024 at 5pm

Student Editorial Board Applications:

Now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 academic year!

Submissions for Articles and Cover Design Art

Submissions will be accepted throughout the academic year, however finalized selection of articles will be determined after the April 1 deadline for the annual spring publication.

• Article Submission
• Cover Art Submission

Submitting an Article

Articles submitted to the Journal must be original work written by currently enrolled undergraduate students at UCR, who are involved in faculty-mentored research, scholarship, and/or creative activity. All articles must be approved by the student researcher's faculty mentor(s) for submission to be complete. Once the student has submitted the article online, each faculty mentor will receive notification via email.  The faculty mentor will then have the option to approve, hold the article for edits, or not approve.  (It is highly recommended that students acquire verbal approval from their mentor(s) before they submit online.) The student will be notified of the mentor's action and is responsible for following up with the mentor if the article was not approved.  Only those submissions approved by faculty mentors will move forward to the editorial evaluation process. If appropriate, research must have approval from institutional oversight boards or committees. 

The UCR Undergraduate Research Journal is considered a campus journal.  The Journal is housed in the Rivera Library Special Collections and can be found in the UCR Library .  The submission of a paper to the Journal does not exclude the possibility of submitting similar work to an external journal unless the external journal's submission or publication restrictions prohibit it.  Students who are published in the Undergraduate Research Journal may also submit their work for publication in other journals. 

You are encouraged to review articles previously submitted and accepted. You can view the  most recent Journal to see examples.  

• Margins must be 1-inch on all sides.
• Abstract must be single-spaced .
• Article text must be double-spaced .
• All pages must be numbered .  Place page number in the center of the page at the bottom.
• References :  Follow the citation styles of your discipline. Some examples are MLA, APA, CSE, ACS, etc... Please work with your faculty mentors to determine which should be used.
• Articles must be submitted as a Word document (.dox or .docx format).
• The final page of your article should include your faculty mentor's bio. Please consult with your faculty to ensure that you are included the most updated bio.
• Name your file as "Submission Number - (XXXXX) - First Submission" - upon submission your article will be assigned a Submission Number, please use that number for future revised submissions.
• Document size cannot exceed 5MB.
• Maximum length of the article cannot exceed 12 pages, 12-point Times New Roman , including all figures, tables, graphs, footnotes, and references. It does not include the abstract and author information.
• Journal Template

The ideal structure of any article will depend on the discipline. Please consult with your faculty mentor to determine the paper structure that is most appropriate for your submission. It is recommended that all submissions contain the following elements: 

• One author should take primary responsibility for the work as a whole. The Primary Author is responsible for submission.
• Everyone who is listed as an author must have made a substantial, direct, intellectual contribution to the work. For example, they should have contributed to the conception, design, analysis and/or interpretation of data, as well as to the actual writing of the article. 
• Please list authors in order of contribution. You are encouraged to discuss this with the team members prior to submission . The order that you provide in this submission is the order the authors will be listed.
• All authors should participate in the editing process by reviewing drafts and approving the final version before publication.
• Abstract --A single paragraph containing no more than 250 words. An abstract briefly defines the problem, purpose, or specific topic addressed by the research. It briefly indicates the methods and/or approach taken in inquiry and summarizes results or conclusion. It should be written in grammatically correct, logically connected sentences. It should be understandable by any audience with reasonable knowledge of its field. The abstract should not contain any charts, tables, graphs, figures, or spreadsheets. The abstract must be single spaced.
• Keywords -- 6-8 keywords relevant to the topic
• Introduction – Enough background information for any reader to understand the position taken. Define field-specific terms here.
• Methods/Methodology - A logical, step-wise process defined enough such that anyone in the field can replicate your results with accuracy.
• Results/Findings
• Acknowledgments
• Works Cited / References

PLEASE NOTE:   If your paper is accepted and you have photos/ graphs/images, we will ask that you submit the images in high resolution (300 DPI) for publication. For more information on each of these paper sections, please watch the Publishing in the Journal Workshop Video and attend the mandatory Submitting to the Journal workshop.  

• Is the research question clearly articulated?
• Is the research approach clearly defined?
• Does it make clear the results/relevance of this research?
• Well-defined position and motivation for research.
• Logical, step-wise method and methodology.
• Clarity of conclusions.
• Significance of results.
• Direction of study and broader implication of research.
• Grammar and spelling.
• Proper formatting and labeling of figures and graphs.
• Clarity of article presentation.
• Appropriate use of citations/references.  
• Year of Study
• Research and research mentor
• Awards/recognition (funding, research, honor societies, leadership roles)
• Future goals

It is important that care be taken with grammar and spelling in your biography, as it is considered part of your submission in the review process.

• Author: Connor Richards, Department of Physics and Astronomy
• Connor Richards is a third year Physics major. He studies physics beyond the standard model at the Large Hadron Collider. With funding from the Goldwater Scholarship, University of California Regents’ Scholarship, UC LEADS Fellowship, and Chancellor’s Research Fellowship, he has participated in research and outreach at the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN) for two years under the guidance of Dr. Owen Long. Currently Vice President of CNAS Science Ambassadors, Richards’ passions are research, science outreach, and STEM education. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in High-Energy Physics and a faculty position.  

Library Research Guides  (Find citation styles for your discipline)  Managing your references UCR library Workshop Schedule UCR Library Specialist  

Submitting Cover Art

The Journal Editorial Team invites original art submissions for the Journal cover.  Authors and non-authors are encouraged to submit images that represent their research and/or creative work.  Images will be selected on a competitive basis based on creativity and/or relevance to research, scholarly, or creative activity. The image must be an original, unpublished work that does not contain, incorporate, or otherwise use any content, material, or element that is owned by a third party or that violates a third party’s intellectual property rights, including but not limited to the law of copyright or trademarks.

• Submissions must be your own artwork.
• Submissions must be unpublished (unless being used in the Journal).
• No less than 300 dpi set at their required size in: Photoshop, InDesign, or high resolution PDF, CMYK color setup.
• Preferred submission size is 8.75" x 11.25" (or scalable down to this size).
• You are allowed to submit up to 3 images.
• You must provide a description of no more than 80 words.  

Each entry will be judged by a panel consisting of the Faculty Editorial Board Chair, the Editor-In-Chief, the Associate Editors-In-Chief, and the Copy Editors.  The top 3-5 covers will be voted on by the entire Editorial Team, including the Faculty Advisory Board and the Student Editorial Board.  The winning design will be used on the cover of the Journal, which will also include a half-page about the winner and his or her work.  The winner will be recognized at the Journal Unveiling Ceremony.

The judges reserve the right not to award the prize if no entry is deemed fitting. The judges’ decisions will be final and no correspondence will be had in relation to their decisions or the competition.  

Additional Information

Dr. Morris Maduro, Biology; Faculty Advisory Board Chair Dr. Monica Carson, Biomedical Sciences Dr. Erica Heinrich, Biomedical Sciences Dr. Andrea Denny-Brown, English Dr. Vorris Nunley, English Dr. James Tobias, English Dr. Jonathan Eacott, History Dr. Wendy Saltzman, Biology Dr. William Grover, Bioengineering Dr. Xiaoping Hu, Bioengineering Dr. Joshua Morgan, Bioengineering Dr. Isgouhi Kaloshian, Nematology Dr. Matthew King, Religious Studies Dr. Leonard Mueller, Chemistry Dr. Catherine Larsen, Chemistry Dr. Ruoxue Yan, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Dr. John Briggs, University Writing Program Dr. Elizabeth Davis, Psychology Dr. Weiwei Zhang, Psychology  

Each fall quarter, students are nominated by their College as candidates to serve on the Student Editorial Board (SEB) of the UCR Undergraduate Research Journal. Nominees are contacted and given the opportunity to apply. The Faculty Advisory Board selects SEB members from the applications. The SEB meets to choose the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor-in-Chief(s). 

SEB Board Members gain hands on experience in the publication of the Journal.  They work closely with the Faculty Advisory Board members as well as several undergraduate researchers and their faculty mentors. Serving on an editorial board is a wonderful experience for students contemplating careers in research and creative scholarship.

Students who are involved in faculty mentored research, scholarly or creative projects will be invited to submit their articles for the review by the Student Editorial Board, working with guidance from the Faculty Advisory Board.  

• Student Editorial Board Job Descriptions
• Peer-Review Process

Apply for the Student Editorial Board - Application Deadline, September 30

• Angelin Simon
• Sekirou Shimono
• Nicole D'souza
• Vanessa Hua
• Katherine Morrisette
• Kashish Rai
• Rayan Awais
• Trusha Bhagwat
• Matthew Dimaandal
• Tara Keezhanjil
• Bobbi Monae Mandour
• Aurchana Manickavasagan
• Nandini Mannem
• Vishruth Nagam
• Elliot Randolph

The UCR Undergraduate Research Journal was first published in 2007. All current and past volumes of the Undergraduate Research Journal can be found in Special Collections in Rivera Library. Starting in 2018, all issues will be made available on Escholarship , the open-access publication source for the University of California. 

• Volume XVI (2022)
• Volume XV (2021)
• Volume XIV (2020)
• Volume XIII (2019)
• Volume XII (2018)
• Volume XI (2017)
• Volume X (2016)
• Volume IX (2015)
• Volume VIII (2014)
• Creative Works: Mosaic Art & Literary Journal
• Honors Audeamus Journal

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• v.81; 2022 Sep

Undergraduate students' involvement in research: Values, benefits, barriers and recommendations

• Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi

a Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

b Global Health Focus, Abuja, Nigeria

Developing, maintaining, and sustaining undergraduate research initiatives can benefit academic institutions, faculty mentors, and students. As the world evolves, more research is required to advance knowledge and innovation in all fields. This implies that students must be prepared for today's knowledge-driven world. Research in the medical and health sciences has stalled in many developing countries, where a dual burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases is prevalent. In this article, I discuss the values and benefits of undergraduate healthcare students participating in research and scientific publishing, as well as the challenges they face. I also make recommendations to encourage undergraduates to get involved in research. The potential of undergraduate research has not yet been fully realized. Undergraduate research's main objectives are to teach students how to do research and to help them acquire skills that they can use beyond the academic environment. Undergraduate research will complement rather than conflict with university education and should go beyond the mandatory terminal year thesis and must cover the entire course of their studies. The key to successful undergraduate research participation is for students to see and understand the importance of rigor, academic integrity, and responsible research conduct. This means academic institutions should carefully plan research programs, activities, and courses for students. Building capacity in research has a long-term impact on valuable learning outcomes as undergraduate students prepare for professional service. Stakeholders and educational authorities must invest in strengthening undergraduate involvement in research.

1. Introduction

As the world evolves, the need for research grows, and it remains a factor of key importance in creating a knowledge-driven economy and supporting development initiatives as well as driving innovations across all fields [ 1 ]. It is becoming more and more important to increase undergraduate student involvement in research [ 2 ]. Academic institutions, faculty mentors, and students can all benefit from developing, maintaining, and sustaining undergraduate research initiatives. By integrating research into their academic courses and giving them a strong academic foundation, students can strengthen their autonomous critical thinking abilities as well as their oral and written communication skills, among others. As students are ready for professional service, the research process affects important learning goals that have a lasting impact. All students should be prepared for the contemporary knowledge-driven world because, today, doing research is not just for academics but also for individuals and institutions interested in knowledge creation and advancement.

The advancement and innovation of all fields, including the health sciences and related areas, depends on research [ 3 ]. Society can benefit greatly from health-related research [ 4 ], which can provide vital insights into disease trends and risk factors, treatment outcomes or public health interventions, care patterns, costs and usage of healthcare services, and more. By doing research to find solutions to problems that are currently unknown, we can close knowledge gaps and change the way healthcare professionals work as well as how we respond to public health issues. With the increase in health concerns ravaging the world [ [5] , [6] , [7] ], it is clear that research is indispensable – whether it be tackling diseases of poverty, performing clinical trials, responding to the rise of chronic diseases, improving access to medicines, increasing vaccines uptake, containing local epidemics, developing innovation in treatment plans, or ensuring that marginalized populations have access to HIV care treatments, among others. This suggests that there is a pressing need to advance knowledge creation and utilization, and that gathering local, grassroots data at all levels of healthcare is important.

Research in the medical and health sciences has seen a downturn in many developing countries [ 8 ], where a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases is highly prevalent. The development of undergraduate health sciences students' research capacity is a key intervention to address this issue. With the support of faculties, it is possible for undergraduate students to learn about and participate actively in research. In this article, I discuss the values and benefits of undergraduate healthcare students' involvement in research and scientific publishing, as well as the challenges they face. I also provide recommendations to advance undergraduates’ involvement in research.

2. Values and benefits of undergraduate research

Involving undergraduate students in research should go beyond the mandatory terminal year thesis and must cover the entire course of their studies. There are myriads of benefits to involving (healthcare) students in research and scientific publishing at the undergraduate level. Research is a methodical process of investigation that includes data collection and analysis, the recording of significant information, and subsequent analysis and interpretation of that information in accordance with the protocols defined by specific academic and professional disciplines [ 9 ]. This implies that conducting research is an important way to improve students’ ability to think critically and solve problems, both of which are essential throughout their career as healthcare professionals. Critical thinking abilities have been linked to better patient outcomes, higher patient care quality, and improved safety outcomes [ 10 ]. While problem-solving focuses on identifying and resolving issues, critical thinking entails asking insightful questions and critiquing solutions. Early exposure of healthcare students to the value of research is a critical strategy for increasing their interest in and attitude toward it. Table 1 highlights the achievements of some students that engaged in research as undergraduates.

Examples of students that got involved in research as undergraduate and their achievements.

The elements required for professional competency in the health fields are covered in healthcare student curricula. This includes understanding of the fundamental theories and literature in the field of study, as well as knowledge of the terminology or technical language specific to health sciences. Incorporating research methodology and the hypothesis-driven scientific process can help to build on this foundation while also stimulating independent critical thinking. By involving undergraduate students in research, they can build trust in the scientific process. Besides that, independent thinking can give an undergraduate student the confidence to draw their own conclusions based on available evidence. No doubt that undergraduate students who took part in research projects will have greater thought independence, a stronger intrinsic motivation to learn, and a more active role in their learning. As a result, as undergraduates prepare for their respective professions, the research process has a very positive impact on their practice.

Students who participate in research may have the chance to develop the advanced writing abilities needed for science publishing and communication [ 11 ]. Even though healthcare students write a lot throughout their time in college, many still struggle to write in a way that is considered acceptable. This is due to the fact that students frequently plagiarize in writing assignments since there is usually little to no formal training on academic writing, and some institutions pay less attention to this. It has also become more challenging for students to express themselves in their own words during academic assessments as a result of the encouragement to memorize academic information verbatim by some teachers. Writing is difficult, but it is a skill that can be honed. Improving students' writing skills is much easier if proper attention is paid to strengthening their capacity for and involvement in the academic research process. This will be useful to them throughout their career, whether they choose to be academic or not.

Investing in academic writing skills among students, particularly in developing countries, is critical for improving scientific outputs on health issues confronting the region. It is not enough to know how to conduct research; academic writing is also important. Additionally, it is crucial for academic institutions to encourage students to present their research work at scientific conferences, which are frequently restricted to postgraduate students. This gives them the chance to collaborate more frequently with faculty members while also giving them another learning opportunity and boosting their confidence and presentation skills. Students who make significant contributions to the intellectual aspect of a research should not be relegated to acknowledgement section of the paper but should be included as co-authors. Furthermore, students should not be denied first authorship because of power dynamics. This will definitely improve students’ attitude towards research.

Through research, students can observe how the theories and concepts they have learned are applied. The active learning aspect of research allows students to connect with their own interests, which is not possible in a passive learning setting. If a research culture and thought process are instilled in healthcare students as they progress through the academic institution in a more systematic, logical, and integrated manner, it will be easier for them to understand what they are learning and will promote active participation in class. This is due to the fact that students who conduct research will be able to understand the research process and how scientists think and work on problems; learn about different lab techniques (as needed); develop skills in data analysis and interpretation; and be able to integrate theory and practice. Further, undergraduates should be involved in research as early as possible because it allows them to identify, develop, and nurture their interests while being open-minded to other areas. This will make choosing and transitioning into research area of choice much easier for them as they pursue postgraduate studies. Because of the high-level of interest and fundamental knowledge gained through undergraduate research participation, it will be possible to increase the enthusiasm, completion rates, and quality of academic research at the postgraduate level. Besides that, undergraduate research allows students to decide whether or not they want to pursue a career in research.

Due to the opportunity for students to pursue their individual interests, research experiences have been linked to a boost in students' motivation to learn [ 12 ]. This means undergraduates will have the chance to take more control over their own learning experiences and have their intellectual curiosity piqued by research. Student-faculty research mentoring relationships frequently develop over time. In contrast to what is possible in the classroom, students form a distinct type of interaction with their research mentor. Most of the time, the interaction is more intense and lasts longer. It frequently serves as the foundation for lifelong friendships and career guidance. When students are looking for jobs or graduate schools, faculty research mentors are an excellent source of recommendations and advice. Additionally, students gain experience working in a research team, which typically involves group work, stronger relationships with colleagues and faculty members, and the development of communication skills. All of which are qualities that employers are increasingly looking for. The key to successful undergraduate research participation is for students to see and understand the importance of rigor, academic integrity, and responsible research conduct. This means academic institutions should carefully plan research programs, activities, and courses for students.

One of the most significant benefits of student research participation is the possibility of publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals. This will also give students early exposure to the process and concept of scientific publishing. Students who submit their manuscript to a reputable journal for publication can also benefit from peer review, which allows them to improve their paper and learn more from the reviewers’ comments. Also, undergraduate students who are exposed to the scientific publishing process early on will be less likely to become victims of predatory journals. Students with publishing experience may be inspired and motivated to pursue a career in research. Having publication allows students to improve their resumes and graduate school applications. Publishing counts as research experience and demonstrates that undergraduate students who have published are enthusiastic about research. As an active learning process, research requires students to frame questions, devise a strategy for testing their hypotheses, analyze data, and write clearly to report their findings, among other things. The research experiences, skills, and knowledge students acquire at the undergraduate level will better prepare them for many of their future endeavors, including careers and postgraduate study. In addition to exposing students to conducting original/primary research, it is important to engage them in secondary research activities including writing reviews, correspondence, commentary, viewpoints, book chapters, and more. Secondary research improves students' writing abilities and thought processes, enables the construction of intelligent arguments, enhances their capacity to use scientific databases to find evidence, and teaches them how to engage in constructive criticism, among others.

While the benefits of undergraduate research to students have been highlighted in the preceding paragraphs, academic institutions can also benefit from engaging undergraduates in research [ 13 ]. Teams conducting research benefit from the enthusiasm and energy of curious undergraduate students. They frequently keep asking for more tasks to complete since they are eager to learn. Undergraduate students often pose inquiries that can be quite perceptive and, perhaps rather unintentionally, alter the way advisors approach research problems and better improve the quality of scientific output from such institutions. In contrast to how faculty research mentors interact with graduate students and other senior team members, undergraduate researchers need responses to inquiries in unique ways, which usually facilitate an opportunity for multidirectional intense learning.

Furthermore, undergraduate students' contributions to peer-reviewed publications and local, regional, national, or international research presentations at conferences and other scientific gatherings will benefit the university or institution's visibility in the scientific community and attract more funding. Students can actively contribute to scientific knowledge provided they are motivated and have the necessary research knowledge and abilities. I serve as a practical example. At the undergraduate level, I published more than 50 articles (including both primary and secondary research) in peer-reviewed journals on a diverse range of public health issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic. While still an undergraduate, I received research and travel grants and presented scientific papers both locally and internationally. This captured the attention of the media, and many undergraduates are now inspired to participate in research more than ever. With the right support systems in place, undergraduates' contributions to scientific literature can be valuable, benefiting not only the student but also the academic institution and society. Imagine a university where students receive the assistance they require to develop their capacity for scientific publishing and research. Such an institution would contribute more to science and knowledge creation, raising their profile in the process. Undergraduate research initiatives are an untapped gold mine if they are nurtured, funded, and supported adequately.

3. Barriers and challenges facing involvement of undergraduate students in research

Healthcare undergraduates interested in research face a number of challenges that have been documented in academic literature. In this section, I conducted a rapid unsystematic review of primary studies and used Table 2 to summarize the challenges and barriers facing undergraduate research identified in randomly selected academic papers.

Barriers and challenges facing healthcare students’ involvement in research.

The rapid review of the fifteen (15) original studies in Table 2 revealed the major barriers and challenges limiting undergraduate student involvement in research across different countries. The findings of the reviewed studies were clearly similar. The key barriers and challenges to undergraduate involvement in research can be divided into three categories: a significant lack of knowledge and skills to participate in research; little to no faculty support, mentorship, funding and motivation for undergraduates to participate in research; and structural barriers limiting student involvement in research such as lack of time due to the loaded curriculum, dearth of research facilities as well as lack of major plans and strategies for undergraduate research.

4. Recommendations

There is an urgent need for stakeholders all over the world to look into the issues and devise tailored strategies to increase the involvement of (healthcare) students in research. Here are my eight (8) recommendations to advance the involvement of undergraduate students in research:

• 1. Research methods and processes should be taught to students as early as their second year of college. Even though some universities only cover research methodologies in the final year, it is essential to include more content on scientific writing and research methods as a mandatory course throughout the whole academic program. Undergraduate teaching curricula and approaches should promote inquiry-based learning. All professional classes' academic curricula might include regular discussions of new advances in the medical and health sciences, and the academic departments might be tasked with organizing these conversations. Long-term, this practice would foster a research aptitude in undergraduate students since opportunity like these would stimulate their minds.
• 2. As part of academic program, students should be evaluated for their interest in research and assigned suitable researchers to serve as their research mentors. Faculty research mentors must also be compensated. Lecturers do not receive credit for mentoring students for publications or research projects. Credit points should be awarded for each peer-reviewed publication attributed to such mentorship to encourage faculty-student research collaboration and motivate them to serve as research mentors for undergraduates. Mandatory structured mentorship programs are desperately needed.
• 3. During the undergraduate program, students should have the opportunity to participate in more research trainings, internships, and placements locally and internationally. This will contribute significantly to students' research skills and experience.
• 4. Students should be encouraged to publish at least two papers, either primary or secondary research, in peer-reviewed journals before graduation. Besides that, the final year thesis must be published and must be on a topic with the potential to make or drive impact.
• 5. Encourage undergraduate students to participate in scientific meetings, conferences, and seminars and to present their research, project, ideas or innovation in such gathering. Funding should be provided for undergraduate research conferences so that students can share their work, learn from the experiences of others, and improve institutional collaboration. This is a worthwhile investment towards advancing knowledge creation and utilization.
• 6. Existing undergraduate journals (e.g., International Journal of Medical Students), student research capacity building initiatives (e.g., Global Health Focus), undergraduate research funding initiatives, and other efforts aimed at promoting student involvement in research should be supported in order to provide more opportunities for students to participate in research.
• 7. A platform should be established to celebrate, provide incentives, and awards to undergraduates who contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge. More students will be inspired to participate in research as a result of this. Funding (e.g., travel grant, research grant, etc.) should be made more accessible to students that have demonstrated remarkable passion for knowledge creation.
• 8. More research should be conducted across academic institutions to better understand the local barriers that prevent undergraduates from participating in research.

5. Conclusion

Undergraduate research is a treasure trove that has yet to be fully tapped. The primary goal of undergraduate research is to teach students how to conduct research and to develop necessary skills that can be applied outside of the academic setting. Bolstering undergraduate research will complement, rather than conflict with, university education. There is an urgent need to develop global and local initiatives as well as strengthen current initiatives to further encourage undergraduate students to participate in research and scientific publishing.

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I conceptualized, wrote and revised the paper. I agreed to and approved the final publication of this article.

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Declaration of competing interest

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

• Undergraduate
• Research Opportunities

Research for Course Credit

A great way to learn more about psychological research is to become actively involved through PSYCH 399-Independent Study or through the two-quarter PSYCH 397-Advanced Supervised Research. Participating in PSYCH 399 or 397 lets you learn more about the methods used by psychologists and about the topics they study. This is especially valuable for students considering graduate study in psychology, and it can be an educational and enjoyable experience for others as well.

Undergraduate students working with Northwestern faculty members have been co-authors of research papers published in several top psychology journals. Students have also presented their work at professional psychology conferences, including the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association.

PSYCH 397 is designed to provide research training that is comparable to an upper-level research course. In contrast, PSYCH 399 is designed to provide students with an introduction to conducting research. PSYCH 399 is generally less comprehensive than PSYCH 397, and does not fulfill the upper-level research requirement for psychology majors.

PSYCH 397-ADVANCED SUPERVISED RESEARCH

This two-term sequence (PSYCH 397-1 and 397-2) is designed to give students time to complete a substantive research project and should involve conducting original psychological research. The content and methods of the research will vary substantially and will depend on the questions that the student and faculty member choose to pursue. Most PSYCH 397 projects involve testing research participants, but the secondary analysis of existing data is also acceptable.

Often students enrolled in PSYCH 397 are involved in more than one research project, and they may not see an entire study go from development to completion. As part of the PSYCH 397 experience, however, students should be exposed to all stages of the research process (either all with the same study or with different studies). Many students spend the first term of PSYCH 397 reading background literature, becoming familiar with methods, conducting pilot studies, and developing a plan for testing hypotheses. The second term is often devoted more to testing participants, conducting analyses, and preparing a final report on the work done across both terms.

Key characteristics of PSYCH 397-1, 2

• Two-quarter commitment. PSYCH 397 is a two-quarter sequence with the same faculty member.
• Prerequisites. PSYCH 205-Research Methods is a prerequisite for PSYCH 397-1, and PSYCH 397-1 with the same professor is a prerequisite for PSYCH 397-2. (Students who have not completed PSYCH 205 may be eligible for PSYCH 399.) Individual faculty members supervising students' research may require certain grades in PSYCH 205. They may also require the completion of other courses, in addition to PSYCH 205, before enrollment in PSYCH 397.
• Class standing. Most students who take PSYCH 397 are juniors or seniors. PSYCH 397 is also open to sophomores who (1) have taken at least four psychology courses, including PSYCH 205-Research Methods, and (2) have a grade point average of at least 3.4 in their psychology courses. Exceptions require the signature of the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). The PSYCH 205 prerequisite cannot be waived.
• Content. Students in PSYCH 397 should be exposed to all stages of the research process: the development of hypotheses, the review of relevant literature, the development of a plan for testing hypotheses, the collection of data, the analysis of data, and the preparation of a full research report. Students might not see any single study go from development to completion, but they should be exposed to all these stages and to critical thinking about options at each stage.
• Papers are required. Students are required to write papers during each term of PSYCH 397. Faculty members supervising the research should evaluate the papers and provide feedback. In many cases, the paper for the first term of PSYCH 397 will be a literature review and/or a research proposal, and the paper for the second term will be a full APA-style report on a research project. The content of the papers should be a key factor in determining students' grades, and students should receive substantive feedback on their papers.
• Abstracts are also required. Students must prepare an abstract of their work and provide an electronic copy of the abstract in Word or PDF format to the Undergraduate Program Assistant at the end of each quarter.

PSYCH 399-INDEPENDENT STUDY

PSYCH 399 is a one-term course, although students may enroll more than one time. Content varies widely, reflecting the variety of questions asked and methods used in psychological research. However, all PSYCH 399 experiences should provide substantial training in and exposure to research. The student should not, for example, only code data for the entire term, as this does not provide sufficient exposure to research questions and methods.

The PSYCH 399 experience also should include background reading. The student should become familiar with the questions that are being addressed and with the larger context in which the questions are set. Typically, the reading includes key articles or chapters that the professor considers to be most relevant. In summary, the student should become familiar with a research question, the methods used to address it, and some relevant findings. In many cases, this will involve testing participants, but this is not a requirement.

Key characteristics of PSYCH 399:

• Prerequisite. There are no general course prerequisites for PSYCH 399. However, individual faculty members supervising students' research may require the prior completion of certain courses and may specify the grades that must be attained.

Class standing. Most students who take PSYCH 399 are juniors or seniors who have a declared major or minor in psychology. PSYCH 399 is also open to sophomores who (1) have taken at least three psychology courses and (2) have a grade point average of at least 3.4 in their psychology courses. Juniors and seniors who do not have a declared major or minor in psychology should also have taken at least three other psychology courses. Exceptions require the signature of the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS).

• Content. Individual faculty members have more freedom in setting the parameters for PSYCH 399 than for PSYCH 397. Content will vary, but should include substantial hands-on involvement with the research process and background reading in the research area. In many cases, PSYCH 399 involves direct interaction with research participants, but this is not a requirement.
• Papers are often required. The content of the paper should be determined by the supervising faculty member. In many cases, the paper will take the form of a brief research report, in which the student introduces and reports the results of his or her research. Another possible format is a research proposal, in which the student introduces a topic and proposes a study. In other cases, the paper may be a written summary of the experiences that constituted the Independent Study. The content of the paper should be a key factor in determining the student's grade.
• Abstracts are required. Students must prepare an abstract of their work and provide an electronic copy of the abstract in Word or PDF format to the Undergraduate Program Assistant at the end of each quarter.

USE OF PSYCH 397 AND 399 TO COMPLETE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The following rules apply to the use of PSYCH 397 and PSYCH 399 to complete requirements for graduation and for a major or minor in psychology:

• Only one credit total from PSYCH 397-1 and PSYCH399 may be counted toward the psychology major or minor; a student may count one 397-1 or one 399, but not both.
• Only one credit of PSYCH 397-2 may be counted toward the major or minor requirements.
• PSYCH 397-2 fulfills the upper-level research requirement for the major.
• Students may not register for more than two total credits of PSYCH 397 and PSYCH 399 in any quarter. This includes 399s done in other departments as well.
• No more than nine total credits of 397, 398, and 399, regardless of department in which they were taken, may be counted toward Weinberg College requirements.

IDENTIFYING A RESEARCH ADVISER

Students initiate undergraduate research experiences by identifying professors with whom they think they might want to work. They then contact the professors to talk about the possibility of enrolling in PSYCH 399 or PSYCH397.

Only   core members   of the psychology department faculty can supervise PSYCH 397. Both   core department faculty members   and those with   joint appointments   in the department can supervise PSYCH 399. (Most PSYCH 399s are supervised by core faculty members.) Exceptions require the signature of the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS).

Here are some ways to learn about the research activities of faculty members:

• Read the online   faculty profiles . Each profile includes a brief description of the faculty member's research interests, as well as a link to additional information about his or her research.
• Look at recent publications by faculty members. Some are on the bulletin board on the second floor of Swift Hall, and you can find many others online through the faculty webpages or the university library.
• Take a look at the research positions posted on the   Canvas   site for psychology majors and minors. Some faculty members post ads there for paid and for-credit assistants. Keep in mind, though, that many excellent research opportunities may not be advertised.
• Look at flyers posted in Swift Hall by faculty members actively seeking students to work with them. Faculty members also sometimes announce in their classes that they are looking for PSYCH 399 and/or PSYCH 397 students.

ENROLLING IN PSYCH 397 OR 399

To enroll in 397 or 399, follow these steps:

• Identify a research adviser . The student should contact a faculty member and ask whether he or she would be willing to supervise the student for PSYCH 397 or PSYCH 399. Keep in mind that only   core members   of the psychology department faculty can supervise PSYCH 397. Both   core department faculty   and those with   joint appointments   in the department can supervise PSYCH 399. Exceptions require the signature of the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS).
• Fill out and print a PSYCH 397 or PSYCH 399 application form (see links at the end of this page) prior to meeting with the research adviser. The description of the project and grading basis can be filled out with the adviser if the information is not known.
• Meet with the research adviser to complete the form. Be sure to get the faculty member's signature. Some students will also need the signature of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. (See other sections of this document, or the application form, for details.)

Submit the completed form to the department by emailing it as an attachment to the Undergraduate Program Assistant ( [email protected] ), who will enter information via CAESAR to grant permission for enrollment. Please Label forms: LastName_FirstName_399_QuarterYear (ex.: Doe_Jane_399_Fall22)

• Enroll in the course through CAESAR.

PSYCH 397 and 399 Application Forms

PSYCH 397-1 Application

PSYCH 397-2 Application

PSYCH 399 Application

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Urban Den Site Used by Multiple Wildlife Species in Cleveland, Ohio

The red fox, Vulpes vulpes , has the most widespread range of any wild canid, or member of the dog family. It is naturally found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, living as far north as the Arctic Circle and as far south as North Africa and India (Canid Specialist Group, n.d.). As humans have continued to urbanize once-natural landscapes, this species has become an urban adapter in the sense that it will readily colonize and persist in cities (Moll, 2022). Its larger canine counterpart, the coyote ( Canis latrans ), is also present in these urban landscapes, but is less associated with areas of high human presence. Regarding competition between these two carnivores, coyotes dominate, and may even cause red fox mortality (Moll et al., 2018). As part of the Research Experience and Apprenticeship Program (REAP) through the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research, I traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, to learn more about wildlife such as red foxes in urban systems.

One project I took on was to analyze data from a red fox den site in the Cleveland Metroparks. Generally, dens are important to mammals such as red foxes for sheltering their vulnerable young offspring, thereby contributing to the survival of successive generations ( Allen & Kritzer, 2023) . There has been documentation of numerous species occupying shared den sites, and I was interested in investigating such phenomena in urban environments. This particular den, which I visited with Ph.D. student Taylor Readyhough of the University of New Hampshire, and Cleveland Metroparks wildlife ecologist Jon Cepek, had been used by multiple species over a three-year period. My goal was to determine which species were using this den, and the specific time periods in which they were occupying it throughout the year. This analysis will provide insight into the types of interspecific interactions and den usage that occur in urban environments and could inform policies regarding which types of land to protect. For example, areas that provide habitat for multiple species could be left intact when expanding business or residential development. The Cleveland Metroparks system exemplifies this idea, because it consists of intact natural areas and forests surrounding an urban city center. These areas have been protected from further urban development, leaving them open for use by wildlife. [Image 1, caption: Adult red foxes outside the den in May 2023]

Using Wildlife Cameras to Monitor Den Activity in the Cleveland Metroparks

The Cleveland Metroparks maintain a network of about 200 cameras spread throughout the “emerald necklace” of reservations ringing the city. In total, these reservations comprise about 24,000 acres of natural space that is predominately forested. These cameras were installed in 2015 and 2016 and will continue to monitor wildlife indefinitely. Their purpose is to identify and monitor the wildlife species and populations present in the Metroparks, with a particular interest in rarer species such as bobcats ( Lynx rufus ) and the red fox’s fellow canid , gray foxes ( Urycon cinereoargenteu s ) .

Data for my project was gathered using photos and videos captured by wildlife cameras deployed at the den site, in the Mill Stream Run reservation on a steep slope adjacent to a road in a suburban neighborhood. Cleveland Metroparks wildlife ecologist Jon Cepek set up three cameras at this location as a side project to complement the greater camera project. Between March 25, 2021, and June 13, 2023, these cameras collected image and video data from the den site. The cameras were programmed to take bursts of three photos, followed by one short video, and were activated by motion. The one Bushnell-brand camera took a twenty-second video, and the two Reconyx-brand cameras (which were deployed at separate times) took a five-second video. There were some gaps in data collection over the three-year period because multiple cameras were used and were not as consistently monitored as those used for the larger project throughout the Metroparks. During all other time windows, at least one of the wildlife cameras was operational and recording activity at the main den entrance.

I arrived in Cleveland in July 2023, so I was not present while the cameras were actively recording. I was responsible for compiling the existing data from this den site, which was stored on SD cards. I transferred the photos and videos from these cards onto a USB drive, and then analyzed each photo and video using Timelapse 2 software (Greenberg, 2021). This program allows for efficient tagging of photos by species, and has other notable features. Tagging the images and videos this way allows for synthesis of the data in a format that is more useful for analysis.

As I processed each image or video, I recorded the species that was present, and checked off another field if it was in the den. All of this was accomplished using the Timelapse software. Any animal seen entering or leaving the den, with its body mostly in the hole, was qualified as “using” the den, even if they may not have been living in it. This allowed me to identify which animal species were passing through the site and distinguish them from those that were actually entering or using the den. T his distinction was vital to analysis, because one of the main purposes of this research was to explore the way in which a den complex created by one species could be used by other species.

Based on a qualitative examination of the structure of the holes within the den complex, our team concluded that a woodchuck ( Marmota monax ) likely constructed the den originally. The den consisted of a relatively large, round hole in some dark earth on a steep hillside, along with a smaller hole farther up the slope. The area was wooded, with some understory plants around the den entrances. [Image 2, caption: The two resident woodchucks in May 2021. One is standing alert on its hind legs, while the other crouches to the side.]

Findings of Den Use by Four Species Over Three Years

After quantifying all the detections by species and month, my findings suggest that at least four different species definitely used the den: red foxes, raccoons ( Procyon lotor ), Virginia opossums ( Didelphis virginiana ), and woodchucks . In spring 2021, at least two woodchucks lived in the den, and their occupation continued into early summer; red foxes denned at the site that same spring. [Image 3, caption: Possible courtship behavior displayed by two red foxes in January 2022 ]

In late fall 2021, I observed red foxes digging and entering the den several times, but they would not have been living there at that time of year without young. Though they may visit the area, red foxes do not typically take shelter in dens once the young from the previous breeding season have been reared (Allen & Kritzer, 2023). An opossum also appeared to be using the den a couple of times during December 2021, but it may have been to avoid inclement weather. Two red foxes returned to the site in January, and I observed what I concluded was courtship behavior. I recorded at least two raccoons living there during winter 2022 into spring, and during a similar time frame, a woodchuck lived there as well. In May, the latter was seen gathering leaves, suggesting its home was most likely still the nearby den. Red foxes entered the den in April 2022, but I made no observations of offspring. None of the data showed two species together in an image using the den, but I did observe temporal overlap in occupation by raccoons and woodchucks during late winter and early spring 2022. [Image 4, caption: raccoon emerging from the den in January 2022]

The raccoons seemed to continue their occupation of the den into summer 2022, and I observed an opossum entering several times in August 2022. The woodchuck was less present on the cameras, but it may have used the other hole for its entries and exits while still living there. In early fall 2022, a red fox was digging in the den, and it appeared that the opossum had taken up residence. The red foxes showed marking behaviors such as raised-leg urinations around the den in October 2022, as did a coyote that left excrement by the entrance. This is direct evidence of the two species’ overlapping home ranges, and their efforts to stake their claims to this site. Notably, on October 16, the coyote came to the site just twenty minutes after the red fox departed, and it was at this point that the larger canid defecated at the site . Although this footage indicated the presence of both species at the site, the coyote was not seen in the den during this time and therefore did not qualify as using the den.  

In fall 2022, I still observed the raccoons to be in residence. As one of the gaps in camera data occurred between December 2022 and March 2023, it is unknown which species visited or used the den. I noted that a woodchuck, raccoons, and red foxes all used the den in spring 2023.

At least one baby fox kit was born in 2021. Coyotes had been digging in the den earlier in the spring, but never entered it during the time that the fox kit was present. Red foxes denned at the site again in spring 2023, but it is unclear whether they were the same parents from 2021, or completely unrelated individuals. They produced at least one kit. [Image 5, caption: Fox kit peering out of the den in April 2021]

During both years that red foxes gave birth in the den, it is unclear whether their offspring survived. Coyotes were also seen frequenting the area in both 2021 and 2023, so it is possible that they killed the fox kits. There is a chance that the red fox parents relocated their young in response to coyote presence, but that is unconfirmed by the available image data. [Image 6 Coyote at the den site in April 2023, during the date range a red fox kit was also present there.]

On April 19, 2021, the kit spent a significant amount of time outside the den entrance and barked frequently. Because it was seen alone, and appeared that it might have been distressed, there is a real possibility that it was killed by a coyote. In 2023, the fox parents appeared to be more present at the den site, watching the kit as it played and bringing back prey such as flying squirrels ( Glaucomys volans ). This kit was also seen in the footage over a longer period of time: from April 8 to April 26, 2023, versus just April 18 and 19 in 2021. Interestingly, there was more coyote presence at the den site in April 2023 than April 2021, which could possibly explain why the adults appeared more vigilant in guarding the area.

Biodiversity Impacts of Intact Habitat within Urban Landscapes

The research done at this location in Cleveland provides insight into the diversity of species that may use a single den site during a relatively short period of time. It supports the idea that a complex created by woodchucks can provide shelter for foxes, raccoons, opossums, and possibly other wildlife. It also highlights how competing species such as red foxes and coyotes may have overlapping home ranges, and the way in which the presence of certain species such as woodchucks can provide habitat for other animals.

Notably, some of these species may have been using the den complex at the same time. This is not necessarily unusual, since animals that den in the same complexes could logically be there simultaneously. For instance, studies in Britain found red foxes living in badger setts, both with and without the badgers in residence (Soulsbury et al., 2010). In Cleveland, both a raccoon and a red fox kit were seen exiting the den on April 26, 2023, suggesting simultaneous occupation. This type of sharing of a den by multiple species has also been documented in less urbanized areas, such as New Hampshire. A study of a gray fox den in Strafford County documented gray foxes, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks using the den together in various combinations (Allen & Kritzer, 2023). Unlike the Cleveland den site, this area was more heavily wooded, and had a lower density of houses (Allen & Kritzer, 2023).  

Understanding the way in which multiple species may make use of the same den site can inform the study of interspecific interactions by wildlife ecologists. When a site is identified as being important to the success and reproduction of multiple species, it should be more highly considered for preservation if new development is encroaching. It is possible that den sites in urban habitats experience greater occupancy by multiple species because there are fewer undeveloped areas. In planning development, it is important to leave some areas in a wooded or natural state, because even small amounts of these lands could increase biodiversity. In areas increasingly fragmented by development, it is important to leave ecological relationships intact, and conserve wildlife-rich habitat segments to avoid causing local extinctions or isolating populations.

I am working toward analyzing and quantifying the data set, with the ultimate goal of writing a “Nature Note” publication for the Urban Naturalist journal by the end of the academic year. Being able to work on projects involving wildlife, particularly canids, is an integral step in my education and career goals. My dream is to be able to work to allow eastern timber wolves ( Canis lupus lycaon ) to recolonize areas of their former range in the northeastern United States and New York. In Cleveland, I learned a lot about human-wildlife interactions. While the areas wolves may come back to would not be as urban as Cleveland and the surrounding Metroparks, they would still encounter a human-altered landscape. If they were to be successful in returning to parts of their former range, people would have to learn how to be tolerant, and coexist with them. If I were to further pursue research with canids, as an undergraduate or beyond, understanding the dynamics between these competing species, especially if wolves were also present on the landscape, would be vital.

I would like to thank my mentor, Dr. Remington J. Moll, for providing me with the opportunity to study wildlife in Cleveland, Ohio, in summer 2023. I greatly appreciate his commitment to my learning and research goals. Thank you to Ph.D. student Taylor S. Readyhough for taking me to Cleveland, teaching me, and supporting me during this research process. I am especially grateful to Cleveland Metroparks wildlife ecologist Jonathan D. Cepek for initiating the collection of this data and allowing me the freedom to analyze it through this project. Finally, I would like to thank the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research for the amazing opportunity to conduct research at such an early stage in my education, and to Mr. Dana Hamel for funding my summer research experience.

Allen, M. L., & Kritzer, J. P. (2023). Observations of gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Schreber, 1775) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Canidae) denning behavior in New Hampshire, USA. Journal of Threatened Taxa , 15 (8). https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2023.15.8.23631-23826 [LR1]  

Canid Specialist Group. (n.d.). Red Fox Vulpes vulpes . Canids.org. https://www.canids.org/species/view/PREKLP237241#:~:text=Geographic%20Range%20Information,steppes%2C%20India%2C%20and%20Japan .

Greenberg, S. (2021, September 26). Timelapse User Guide . Saul Greenberg. http://saul.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/timelapse/uploads/Installs/Timelapse2/Timelapse2Manual.pdf

Moll, R. J. (2022, December). Urban Wildlife . Durham, NH; Demeritt Hall [LR2]   .

Moll, R. J., Cepek, J. D., Lorch, P. D., Dennis, P. M., Robison, T, Milspaugh, J., & Montgomery, R . [LR3]   (2018). Humans and urban development mediate the sympatry of competing carnivores. Urban Ecosyst 21 , 765–778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-018-0758-6

Soulsbury, C. D., Baker, P. J., Iossa, G., & Harris, S. (2010). Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes ). In S. D. Gehrt, S. P. D. Riley & B. L. Cypher (Eds.). Urban carnivores: Ecology, conflict, and conservation (pp. 62–75). John Hopkins University Press.

Author and Mentor Bios

Caroline E. Savage will graduate in spring 2026 with a bachelor of science degree in wildlife and conservation biology. Originally from Exeter, New Hampshire, she is a member of the University Honors Program and is also a Hamel Scholar. Caroline began working for Dr. Rem Moll’s lab in October 2022, processing New Hampshire wildlife camera images. She continued this research under Dr. Moll’s mentorship through the Research Experience and Apprenticeship Program (REAP) offered by the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research. This project taught Caroline about the close proximity in which coyotes and red foxes live, the possibility of this affecting survival of fox offspring, and that it is not uncommon for different species to inhabit the same den simultaneously. She also learned how long and painstaking it can be to process raw data , while also being incredibly rewarding in drawing conclusions that would otherwise not have been possible. She especially enjoyed looking through photos and videos of the fox kits and parents, and the other species that visited the den site. She decided to submit to Inquiry while preparing a research paper to send to the Urban Naturalist . Caroline plans to pursue graduate school but may take time first to gain more work experience. Doing this research provided insight into different wildlife issues and the careers of those working on them, and gave her the opportunity to connect with many people in the wildlife field.  

Remington Moll is an assistant professor in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of New Hampshire. He started teaching at UNH in 2020 and specializes in wildlife ecology and management. Dr. Moll did part of his Ph.D. work in the Cleveland Metroparks in Ohio, which led to this collaboration for Caroline’s project. He is really interested in urban ecology and how certain species can coexist alongside humans in built environments. He has had the pleasure of mentoring several students who received REAP grants through the Hamel Center; this is his first time mentoring an Inquiry author. Dr. Moll is very glad Caroline was able to travel to Cleveland in summer 2023 with a Ph.D. student in his group, Taylor Readyhough, where they got to join in several on-the-ground field projects in the urban park system. He says that Caroline did a wonderful job being flexible and contributing to the research project.  

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Copyright © 2024 Caroline Savage

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