Role of Undergraduate Research Assistants in Political Science

Introduction

Political science is a multifaceted field that encompasses various research areas and methodologies. It involves studying political behavior, institutions, processes, and systems to understand power dynamics, governance, and human rights. Central to this discipline are research assistants who play crucial roles in advancing our understanding of politics at local, national, and global levels. In this article, we explore the role of political science research assistants, the importance of their contributions, and strategies for engaging with them effectively.

Undergraduate Research Assistants in Political Science

Undergraduate research assistants (URAs) are integral to many political science research projects. They serve as coauthors, data collectors, survey respondents, and coders. By participating in research teams, URAs gain valuable skills and experience, often leading to enhanced learning outcomes for them and improved research quality for faculty members.

Universities and research institutions offer several opportunities for URAs to grow professionally. For instance, the Political Science Honors Program at UPenn provides senior students with the chance to engage in original research, share their findings with colleagues, and earn distinction upon graduation. Similarly, UMass Amherst lists past research positions held by undergraduates, highlighting the diversity of projects they can contribute to.

Qualifications and Skills Needed for Political Science Research Assistants

Becoming a political science research assistant typically requires a bachelor's degree, which takes approximately four years to complete. After obtaining a degree, it is common for one to two years of experience in a related field such as research or data collection. Less than one month of on-site and on-the-job training are often sufficient preparation for this role.

Key skills for political science research assistants include literature reviews, data analysis, familiarity with statistical software like Stata, Excel, or PowerPoint, and the ability to work closely with supervisors. They should also possess strong communication and interpretation abilities to collaborate effectively in research teams.

Role of Technology in Political Science Research Assistance

Technology plays an essential role in facilitating efficient workflows for political science research assistants. File-sharing platforms, virtual research environments, and software designed for data processing and analysis are vital tools that streamline operations.

For instance, undergraduate research assistants have been trained to classify written passages based on applications of fairness, justice, and equality by political opinion leaders in the U.S., utilizing advanced digital tools for the analysis.

Supervision and Onboarding of Political Science Research Assistants

Effective supervision and onboarding are critical components of any research project involving URAs. Researchers need to plan ahead to monitor progress, ensure that file structures and coding rules remain consistent throughout the project, and establish efficient communication channels among team members.

Despite the importance of these steps, there is limited explicit guidance on managing URAs in the political science discipline, suggesting room for further discussion and research in this area.

Conclusion

Political science research relies heavily on the contributions of dedicated undergraduate research assistants. Through hands-on involvement in various research activities, URAs gain practical skills and knowledge, while their mentors benefit from increased productivity and new perspectives. As our understanding of political dynamics evolves, so too must our strategies for engaging undergraduate research assistants in this ever-changing field.