Top 10 Factors Critical to Successful Undergraduate Research

According to the Council of Undergraduate Research, students identified the top 10 factors that were critical to their success in undergraduate research. 

1. Students’ motivation and passion for research
2. Students’ enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work
3. Mentorship relationship between faculty and students’ self-esteem and value
4. Faculty establishes clear expectations about deadlines, responsibilities, and research outcomes
5. Open communication within the research team
6. Availability of resources and institutional support
7. Students’ time commitment to research
8. Interpersonal dynamics and attitudes within the research team
9. Students’ expertise and knowledge at the time of starting the research (coursework)
10. Clearly defined hierarchy of students in the research team and collaborative teamwor