Student Research Research Articles

The Lived Experiences of Disabled Disability Services Directors

ABSTRACT Eight disabled white women disability services directors shared their experiences working in disability services in higher education. The 10 principles of disability justice provided the framework for this interpretative phenomenological analysis. Individual interviews were used to understand the lived experiences of the participants. Participants were found to experience ableism and oppression, along with a broad and nuanced spectrum of interpersonal and identity-related experiences. Implications for student affairs practitioners and researchers are identified.

Summer Research Internship Curriculum to Promote Self-Efficacy, Researcher Identity, and Peer-to-Peer Learning: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Common barriers to students' persistence in research include experiencing feelings of exclusion and a lack of belonging, difficulties developing a robust researcher identity, perceptions of racial and social stigma directed toward them, and perceived gaps in research skills, which are particularly pronounced among trainees from groups traditionally underrepresented in research. To address these known barriers, summer research programs have been shown to increase the participation and retention of undergraduate students in research. However, previous programs have focused predominantly on technical knowledge and skills, without integrating an academic enrichment curriculum that promotes professional development by improving students' academic and research communication skills. This retrospective pre-then-post study aimed to evaluate changes in self-reported ratings of research abilities among a cohort of undergraduate students who participated in a summer research program. The Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP) piloted the implementation of a web-based academic enrichment curriculum for the Summer 2023 Research Internship cohort, which was comprised of students from groups underrepresented in biomedical artificial intelligence research. HuBMAP, a 400-member research consortium funded by the Common Fund at the National Institutes of Health, offered a 10-week summer research internship that included an academic enrichment curriculum delivered synchronously via the web to all students across multiple sites. The curriculum is intended to support intern self-efficacy, researcher identity development, and peer-to-peer learning. At the end of the internship, students were invited to participate in a web-based survey in which they were asked to rate their academic and research abilities before the internship and as a result of the internship using a modified Entering Research Learning Assessment instrument. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test was performed to assess the difference in the mean scores per respondent before and after participating in the internship. A total of 14 of the 22 undergraduate students who participated in the internship responded to the survey. The results of the retrospective pre-then-post survey indicated that there was a significant increase in students' self-rated research abilities, evidenced by a significant improvement in the mean scores of the respondents when comparing reported skills self-assessment before and after the internship (improvement: median 1.09, IQR 0.88-1.65; W=52.5, P<.001). After participating in the HuBMAP web-based academic enrichment curriculum, students' self-reported research abilities, including their confidence, their communication and collaboration skills, their self-efficacy in research, and their abilities to set research career goals, increased. Summer internship programs can incorporate an academic enrichment curriculum with small-group peer learning in addition to a laboratory-based experience to facilitate increased student engagement, self-efficacy, and a sense of belonging in the research community. Future research should investigate the impact of academic enrichment curricula and peer mentoring on the long-term retention of students in biomedical research careers, particularly retention of students underrepresented in biomedical fields.

The Impact of AI Tools on Education: ChatGPT in Focus

Education nowadays is irreversibly interrelated with technology, and AI has turned into an agent of change in learning environments. Among these AI tools, ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, has emerged as one of the most sophisticated natural language processing models, which has revolutionized student interactions, research assistance, and academic support. This study will critically review the literature on the role of ChatGPT in education, focusing on its benefits, limitations, and ethical implications. The review highlights how ChatGPT enhances comprehension, critical thinking, and creativity by providing information that is instant, accurate, and contextually relevant. Its adoption rate has been phenomenal since its release in November 2022, with studies indicating that 60% of educators and 40% of students have already adopted ChatGPT into their academic practices. Technology is increasingly used for automated assessments, literature reviews, content generation, and tutoring, contributing to personalized learning experiences and engagement. However, concerns persist regarding AI bias, misinformation, ethical considerations, and student over-reliance on AI-generated content. This review categorizes ChatGPT’s educational applications into four key areas: (1) pedagogical applications, (2) academic research assistance, (3) challenges and ethical concerns, and (4) future directions in AI-enhanced education. It examines the impact of AI-driven tools on curriculum integration, educator support, and student engagement, informed by peer-reviewed articles, policy reports, and case studies. The results of this study confirm that while ChatGPT holds great promise, the integration of AI responsibly does indeed require thoughtful regulation, educator training, and ethical considerations. This research informs ongoing discussions of AI-driven education, policy formulation, and responsible AI adoption in learning environments to ensure that technological advancements align with educational integrity and innovation.

Intro to special issue

In the first of this double issue, we grounded the collection in Mass Culture’s Research in Residence: Arts’ Civic Impact (RinR) project. Aimed at creating a suite of impact measurement frameworks for arts organizations to assess where and how their work has impact, the SSHRC- and Mitacs-funded project embedded four individual graduate student researchers and one team of two graduate students—all from different post-secondary institutions—in arts organizations across the country. Also supported by a group of arts funders comprising an advisory, this first-of-its-kind initiative has had impressive impacts of its own in both the academic and culture sector spheres. Since publishing our first collection of articles, the landscape has changed. RinR’s graduate student researchers have all moved on in some way, be it finishing a master’s degree and starting a doctorate, finishing a doctorate and moving into a post-doctoral fellowship, finishing graduate school and working within an academic institution, and even continuing with their studies while starting a family. Other people involved in RinR have likewise changed jobs or even left the arts sector or academia altogether. Assembling this second issue has afforded us, the co-editors, some very welcome reflection on the project, the relationships we built through it, and how it continues to shape both our individual careers and perspectives on the arts’ civic impact.

Assessment Of Scientific Reasoning-Communication Skills (Sr-Cs) Test on Work and Energy Concept: Development, Content Validity and Rasch Model Analysis

Studies indicate that scientific reasoning assessments are still rarely integrated as higher-level assessments and new science education standards in school instruction. This study aims to develop a scientific reasoning skills test instrument that is integrated with a scientific communication skills test instrument (SR-CS test) on work and energy concept. This study used the ADDIE procedure. The research procedure consists of five stages including analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating. The initial draft of SR-CS test consisted of 14 multiple choice scientific reasoning skills (SRS) questions and 8 open-ended scientific communication skills (SCS) questions. The results of the expert judgement were analyzed using the content validity index (CVI) and obtained a value of 0,94 (very suitable) for the SRS instrument and 0.97 (very suitable) for the SCS instrument. After being revised based on the expert suggestions, the test instrument was tested on 25 students (15 girls,10 boys) aged 16-17 years. The trial data were analyzed using the Rasch Model to obtained item fit (validity), reliability, distinction level, and difficulty level. The results show that 14 questions of SRS instrument have item validity and 8 questions of SCS instrument have item validity. Besides that, the item reliability of the SRS and SCS test instrument is 0.79 and 0.91, respectively. Meanwhile, the person reliability is 0.82 (SRS) and 0.91 (SCS). Therefore, the SR-CS test is valid and reliable so that it can be used to measure scientific reasoning skills and scientific communication skills of students in further research.

Dr Nick Okello’s ESG dilemma at base titanium

Learning objectives Learning Objective 1: Develop students’ ability to critically assess and probe the challenges of aligning business objectives with compliance to local and international environmental regulations. Students will learn to identify how tensions between regulatory compliance and business goals influence decision-making processes in resource-intensive industries. Learning Objective 2: Increase problem-solving skills of students by exploring the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental stewardship. They will be able to examine real-world dilemmas, such as community displacement, biodiversity loss, and pollution in mining contexts, and understand how to navigate these complex challenges using insights from Dr Nick’s experiences. Learning Objective 3: Advance integrative learning, inquiry and interpretive capabilities of students by demonstrating the significance of ESG principles in mining operations focusing on environmental management, community engagement, and ethical governance. Students will learn how to integrate these principles into corporate strategies to achieve a balance between profitability and sustainability. Learning Objective 4: Equip students with hands-on experience through real business scenarios by addressing dilemmas companies face in the era of climate change and appreciate the role of leadership in driving and implementing sustainable practices. Students will understand how leaders like Dr Nick balance stakeholder interests, ethical standards, and operational efficiency, and how this balance impacts the company’s growth and sustainability objectives. Case overview/synopsis This case introduces students to the difficulty an environmental manager faces in balancing the interests of the community at large with the company’s goals. Dr Nick Okello, an environmental manager at Base Titanium, is the protagonist of the case. For several years, Dr Nick has overseen the business’s environmental programs at the high-grade mineral sand mine called Kwale Operation, which is situated along Kenya’s coast. The case allows students to explore how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are applied in a mining company setting by using this case study. Simple assessments can be applied by students to evaluate ESG and discuss their analysis of it. The mining industry’s intricate relationship between corporate governance, business strategy, and environmental stewardship is exemplified by the Dr Nick case at Base Titanium. It provides a critical analysis of the difficulties businesses confront in attempting to strike a balance between sustainable ethical business practices and economic growth, especially in areas where governance issues are common. Complexity academic level This case is suitable for use in executive education, MBA, senior undergraduate, and other graduate-level business programs in courses such business management, organizational behaviour, environmental sciences, project management, strategic management, operations, finance, corporate governance, leadership, and sustainable development. Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 4: Environmental Management.

Don’t Set Goals, Set Systems: Using Decoding the Disciplines and Students as Partners to Strengthen a History Department and its Teacher Candidates

This case study presents the development of a system that integrated two strands of SoTL research—Decoding the Disciplines and Students as Partners—into a secondary history teacher preparation program. This system simultaneously refined teaching in undergraduate history courses and provided authentic learning experiences for secondary education teacher candidates. The system involved partnering a teacher preparation course with an undergraduate history course. Teacher candidates interviewed students from that history course to decode bottlenecks in their historical thinking. Teacher candidates then suggested instructional changes faculty could implement to respond to surfaced bottlenecks. This study explores how the connection between Decoding the Disciplines and Students as Partners can address the gap between university instruction and secondary teaching. It further describes how teacher candidates applied the decoding paradigm to analyze learning in undergraduate history courses and proposed curricular improvements. The study reflects on the benefits of this system for stakeholders, including teacher candidates, student researchers, history faculty, and undergraduate students taking history courses. Teacher candidates benefited from the practical experiences of decoding research, including eliciting learning cognition, assessing learner needs, and responding instructionally. Student research partners gained experience in data management and mixed-methods research while providing a valuable perspective as co-analysts. History faculty gained opportunities to have the cognition of their students systematically examined and receive recommendations for improving instruction. Finally, undergraduate students collectively benefited from improved instruction in history courses. This adaptable system could extend beyond history departments into other disciplines, especially in contexts that train secondary teachers.

Enhancing Virtual Reality Experiences in Architectural Visualization of an Academic Environment

Virtual Reality (VR) technology possesses the capability to transport users into immersive, alternative environments, providing them with a convincing sense of presence within a simulated world. This project leverages VR to develop an interactive, educational system centered around the De Montfort University (DMU) Queens Building, simulating key facilities and infrastructure through the integration of 360-degree imagery and Adobe Captivate software. Designed in response to contemporary challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the need for flexible and innovative learning methodologies, the VR system offers an immersive educational platform enriched with essential information to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. A comprehensive literature review explored the expanding applications of VR across diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, robotics, and manufacturing. The findings of this review underscored VR's transformative potential in enhancing educational engagement and facilitating a deeper understanding of complex concepts. The project methodology involved meticulously mapping the physical layout of the Queens Building, capturing targeted 360-degree scenarios using a Ricoh Theta V camera, and subsequently transforming these into immersive VR scenarios enriched with interactive hotspots, meticulously synchronized with the building's design layout. The VR system successfully achieved the project's objectives by simulating key educational and informational use cases. It provides students with an alternative learning medium, offering interactive insights into the functionalities of equipment and facilities within the building. Furthermore, the system enables a virtual tour of the DMU campus, facilitating familiarization with the university environment. Findings from the VR application highlight its potential as a dynamic educational tool, positioning it as a valuable complement to traditional learning methods. This innovative approach demonstrates the capacity of VR to enhance student understanding, support academic and research pursuits, and ultimately enrich the overall student experience.

Student voice: bringing about change in primary schools

This paper focuses on an exploration of the use of participatory approaches for facilitating change in schools. Lesson observations, fieldnotes from meetings, and interviews with teachers and children were collected in a study that aimed at exploring how inclusion can be promoted through an engagement with student voice in primary (elementary) schools (5-11-year-olds), in one city in the South of England, U.K. Data analysis highlighted how participatory approaches and methods (student researchers, sticky notes with unfinished sentences, visual methods and observations) allowed students to be actively involved in the research process and led to changes in their schools. We argue that participatory methods can be a powerful means for change, only if they are used in ways that enable sustained dialogues between teachers and students in schools. Of all the methods that we explore, we highlight observation as important in facilitating such efforts.

Use of Image Media to Increase Early Childhood Reading Interest

Image media is a medium that can increase children's interest in reading and communication. Image media can be stimulated to develop optimally. One of the developments in reading interest to children is through picture media. The importance of picture media for children is that it can increase knowledge and make it easier for children to communicate with others. The purpose of this study is to find out which Image Media can increase reading interest in children in kindergarten. This study uses qualitative descriptive research with teacher and student research subjects. The data collection tools used by the author in the research are observation, interviews, and documentation. By using this analysis, the researcher presented the results of the study that developing an interest in reading through picture media in kindergarten, in general, has developed the observation based on the 5 indicators presented by the researcher. This development has been in line with expectations. Based on the results of this analysis, in following the image media of 5-6-year-old children in kindergarten, it can be concluded that everything develops optimally.

A student’s guide to the writing parts of a research project in physical geography and allied disciplines

ABSTRACT Writing is involved in all aspects of graduate student research. Here we provide detailed guidance on writing for research, especially for master’s theses and PhD dissertations and primarily for physical geography and other earth science students. The main sections of a research paper (Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions) each have specific requirements of what to include and exclude. While there are many aspects to research writing, they should be thought of as a process leading to a final product. The proposal becomes a well-developed first draft of the Introduction, Literature Review, and Methods sections, with Results, Discussion, and Conclusions added after the data are collected and analyzed. New information and improvement of the writing lead to the frequent updating of all sections. In addition, Research Notes are fundamentally important to the process of research and students should develop the habit of entering and maintaining high-quality notes. The Supplement is where details are presented that are important but not included in the main text. References need to be taken seriously from the beginning of the project and the is the last major part to be written but must be carefully crafted.

Research involvement among undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe involvement of undergraduate medical students in research is pivotal for the advancement of evidence-based clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the extent of research involvement and the factors influencing it among undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh.MethodsA multi-center cross-sectional study involving 2864 medical students from both public and private medical colleges was conducted between June and December 2023. Data on demographics, research involvement, participation in research training, future career aspirations in research, and obstacles encountered by students were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.ResultsThe mean age of the students was 21.8 ± 1.8 (SD) years, with the majority being female (61.8%). Overall, 21.5% (n = 617) were actively participating in research beyond academic activities. Approximately 7% (n = 205) had undergone formal research training, and 6.5% (n = 187) had experience in publications in peer-reviewed journals as first authors or coauthors. A total of 45.5% of the students faced multiple challenges during participating in research, with the two most difficult tasks being designing a study (26.7%) and data collection and recruitment of study participants (19.6%). Almost half of the students (47.2%, n = 1352) showed an interest in pursuing a research career in the near future. The primary barriers preventing students from choosing a future research career were insufficient mentorship (16.3%), the perception of a lengthy career path (17.2%), and limited funding opportunities (15.9%). Factors that significantly encouraged research involvement included being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2–1.8), studying in the senior academic phase (aOR 3.9, 95% CI: 2.7–5.6), previous education from an English-medium educational institute (aOR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.2), and encouragement from faculty (aOR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.7).ConclusionThe proportion of research participation among the students was relatively low. To promote research engagement among undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh, comprehensive policy formulation and strong commitment at the highest levels are essential. Integrating national research policy into the curriculum could serve as a strategic measure for achieving this objective.

Game-changers: The Role of Students in Plant Genetic Resources Research

Game-changers: The Role of Students in Plant Genetic Resources Research

A Special Issue Dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of Centre of Super‐Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF), the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK)

AbstractThis special issue celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Centre of Super‐Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF) at the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), coinciding with the 30th anniversary of CityUHK. It showcases the research contributions of both current staff and former members of COSDAF. Established in 1998 by Prof. Shuit‐Tong Lee, COSDAF serves as a university‐level research center, bringing together academic experts from various disciplines focused on semiconductor nanomaterials, nano‐organic light‐emitting displays, diamond technologies, and advanced nano‐coatings. Since its inception, COSDAF has trained over 450 PhD students and postdoc fellows, many of them now serve as faculty members and leading researchers in various universities, research institutes, and industries worldwide. Additionally, COSDAF has cultivated strong collaboration with high‐tech local industries, providing training and resources for research staff and students. This has established an important platform that bridges the gap between academia and industry.

Decision-making conditions for participatory student voice research at scale: examples from studying vertical school spaces

Student voice research recognises students’ roles as knowledge makers in cultural institutions like schools. It rarely occurs at scale, as researchers need to work closely with small groups of students to enable dialogue, listen, and negotiate. Gathering rich qualitative data from large groups of students in schools using such participatory methods can be challenging, becoming methodologically “messy” for philosophical and practical reasons. This paper links high-level research principles and pragmatics of on-the-ground research strategy and improvisation to provide ways of managing the ‘mess’ of student voice research at scale. Drawing from researcher experiences working with large groups of students, a reflexive decision-making theory is used to discern the deliberations that guided the research team’s decision-making. Six different dimensions are illustrated, alongside methodological questions to offer guidance to other researchers. Student voice research at scale offers opportunities for diverse participatory roles for students and researchers to be innovative, reflexive knowledge makers.

FORMATION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY IN TEACHING HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL DISCIPLINES IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

The article analyzes the main methods, forms, and means of teaching historical and cultural disciplines that contribute to the formation of national identity among Ukrainian higher education students. It has been found that a modern approach to teaching historical and cultural disciplines is the use of such effective forms of organizing learning as museum lectures and visualization lectures, independent work with sources by students, and the implementation of educational projects. It has been established that the teaching of historical and cultural disciplines plays an important role in shaping national identity. The effectiveness of this process depends on many factors, such as the competence of teachers, the use of innovative teaching methods, the availability of modern educational materials, as well as the involvement of students in research and community activities. The task of the teacher is to provide students with a comprehensive analysis of the historical and cultural heritage of the chosen period, highlighting the most productive moments in the intellectual development of humanity. This can be facilitated by working with sources of information about outstanding figures in Ukrainian history and culture who, at different times, contributed to the formation of a national state and the glorification of Ukraine in the world. The formation of Ukrainian identity among higher education students is also facilitated by debunking myths artificially created and actively promoted by Russian propaganda. Therefore, special attention in the educational process should be paid to combating fakes. The popularization of modern Ukrainian-language educational content in theteaching process is also of great importance. The conclusions of the study confirm that the teaching of historical and cultural disciplines is one of the most important tools for shaping national identity. By investing in the development of this area, we contribute to strengthening Ukrainian statehood and the formation of civil society. Based on the results obtained, a number of practical recommendations have been formulated to improve the process of teaching historical and cultural disciplines in Ukrainian higher education institutions. In particular, it is proposed to develop new curricula that take into account modern challenges and societal needs, as well as to create a system for monitoring the effectiveness of teaching historical and cultural disciplines.

Don't Pop It! Modifying the Balloon Analogue Risk Task for a Course-Based Research Experience

Background Relatively few studies focus on Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) to improve retention of knowledge and enhance student research experience in the social sciences. Objective We introduced a modified, manual version of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), in which students engaged in all phases of a research project, including the development of a risk-taking assessment, participant recruitment, scale administration, presentation of the modified BART, data collection, and data entry and analysis. Method To determine the effectiveness of the CUREs, students self-reported their research knowledge and skills using pre–post measures. Additionally, we measured attitudes and perceptions of the student's experience with the research project. Results Results from the learning outcomes demonstrated increased research knowledge and skills and a positive overall experience with the project. Conclusion The modified BART is an effective CURE for engaging undergraduate psychology students enrolled in research methods courses. Teaching Implications Engagement through hands-on research project design and data collection, as demonstrated with the modified BART, may serve to increase the overall retention of information and enhance class experience, potentially creating a pipeline for further engagement in high-impact practices for undergraduate psychology students.

Development of a test laboratory stand with a marine hot-water boiler

The article deals with the issues of design and construction of a laboratory stand of a ship boiler plant based on Kiturami TURBO17 boiler, located in the laboratory “Ship Boiler and Steam Generating Plants” of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Astrakhan State Technical University”. The laboratory stand considered in the paper, made in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 78), was developed for scientific research and training of students. The article presents a comparative analysis of the laboratories of higher educational institutions, graduating specialists in the specialty 26.05.06 “Operation of ship power plants”. The description of the main components of the stand including its circuit diagram is given. It is noted the importance of laboratory stands, which are close to the ship’s performance, for the training of specialists. It is emphasized that this laboratory installation allows to conduct laboratory and practical classes aimed at providing students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It is noted that graduates should know the basic principles of operation and design elements of ship power plants, including boiler plants and their servicing systems, as well as have theoretical knowledge of thermodynamics, hydromechanics, be able to carry out calculations in thermal cycles, heat transfer processes, heat balance. The developed laboratory test bench can be used in the study of disciplines “Ship Boiler and Steam Generating Units”, “Operation of Ship Boiler and Steam Generating Units”, “Ship Auxiliary Mechanisms, Systems and Devices”, “Automated Control Systems of Ship Power Plants”, as well as for scientific research. The project on creation of the laboratory stand can be implemented for training of specialists in other specialized universities of the country.

“Accounting” in retrospect: A personal reflection about change, contribution, and opportunity following decades of immersion

AbstractThis paper, based upon my Plenary Address at the 2024 Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand Annual Conference, documents my reflection of the evolution in accounting that has occurred over the last 40 years. While the research and teaching of accounting has evolved, many gaps are evident. Applying a four‐step accountability model, opportunities for future research and teaching are identified. Factors influencing research and teaching agendas, and our propensity to address gaps, are explored. This paper is a useful resource for teachers and researchers of accounting, students and people seeking some tips about potential accounting research topics.

Faculty perceptions of a professional development program for developing CUREs and promoting inclusive and equitable teaching.

The Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) model can be used to explore how faculty prioritize learning about and adopting new pedagogical approaches. Here, we use the DOI framework to contextualize biology faculty perceptions of a professional development (PD) program designed to help them create a full semester course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) class at a large, public comprehensive university. PD sessions included exploring self-reflexive identity while fostering inclusive classroom spaces through understanding and interrupting implicit bias and microaggressions. This qualitative study sought to determine 11 biology faculty members' beliefs about the influence of their year-long PD on their CURE development and teaching practices. Findings suggest that faculty were motivated to teach CUREs for a variety of reasons. A common incentive was integrating research into a CURE to bring their passion into their classroom and to engage more students in research. This may be particularly important at institutions where faculty have a heavy teaching load. Faculty also reported modifying their teaching in their CUREs and other courses to be more inclusive and equitable. The importance of peer interactions in the PD was emphasized repeatedly as faculty learned from experts, the literature, and faculty who had already developed a CURE. Our results illustrate that a community of practice structure can enhance the learning aspect of the community, helping faculty consider their implementation of inclusive, equitable, and high-impact practices as an ongoing educational process for themselves and emphasizing the importance of reflection and iteration in a DOI framework.