Political Science Research Assistantships

Political Science: Empowering Students through Research

Political science, a discipline that explores the complexities of power, governance, and human behavior, offers unique opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, teamwork, and analytical skills. One such avenue is through undergraduate research experiences, as evidenced by research assistantships that have far-reaching benefits for both students and faculty.

Xander E. Laughlin's experience as a research assistant exemplifies the value of this type of work. Laughlin's role involved tracking course titles, classroom activities, learning objectives, learning outcomes, and assessment data for various review essays on civic education and voter ID compliance with state voter ID laws. Through this position, he developed critical thinking and organizational skills and gained access to other competitive opportunities.

Research at a minority-serving institution (MSI) has also demonstrated the impact of collaborative research experiences. Students contributing to projects in a political science laboratory developed their social and professional skills, increased their confidence in doing research, and confirmed their career plans. The lab's inclusive culture and independence mitigated challenges such as time management, bureaucratic accounting, and self-doubt.

Undergraduate research assistants (URAs) perform key roles in many research projects, serving as coauthors, data collectors, and survey respondents. They also classify and code data, a task that has become increasingly common with the growing popularity of supervised machine learning models. URAs meet faculty members who can serve as mentors, learn how to overcome the challenges of the research process, and refine their own interests.

In summary, the benefits of undergraduate research experiences within political science are numerous. Students develop critical thinking skills, gain access to competitive opportunities, and build a strong foundation for their education and career aspirations. The collaborative nature of this work fosters inclusivity, independence, and a shared commitment to advancing knowledge. By engaging in research as a political science student, you take part in this rich tradition and contribute to an ongoing dialogue about our world and its complexities.