Students’ engagement in research at the university: A sociological analysis

Abstract

One of the priorities of Russia’s scientific-educational policy is to increase the attractiveness of a career in science and higher education. The Russian government implements a number of federal programs aimed at involving the youth in research activities. Students’ research work is a traditional integral part of the educational process, an element of the generational continuity, of the formation and renewal of scientific schools, of tutoring and professional training. However, when students are involved in research, there are difficulties determined by the peculiarities of the organization of the higher education and by the students’ personal characteristics. The article considers the features of the participation of the Russian universities’ students in research, their scientific achievements and problems that limit or hinder their involvement in research activities, reduce their motivation and satisfaction with studies in general. The article is based on the survey of the Russian universities’ students, conducted by the Center for Education Development Strategy of the Moscow State University in November - December 2022 (N = 123977). The results of the survey show that, when studying at the university, students differ significantly in the quality and forms of training, realization of individual abilities and inclinations, level of motivation and requests for higher education. Therefore, the educational process should be organized in such a way as to comprehensively realize the students’ individual abilities, provide a flexible approach to educational trajectories and support the involvement of the majority of students in research activities.