Skip to main content
Experiential Learning & Internships
ELMS Login

Mentored Research

Questions

  • Research, often formally called mentored research, directed research, or laboratory research, involves individualized research programs supervised by faculty members. Student may support existing faculty research projects or select a topic and complete their own project with the mentorship of a faculty member. Participating in research may result in the possibility for students to publish their research, attend conferences, or receive additional funding.
  • Research provides students with hands-on experience, the opportunity to published their work, and collaboration with professors and other students. Participating in academic research can improve a resume or graduate school application and provides students with relevant experience for higher education. Research also provides an intellectual space for students to collaborate and network with other students, faculty, and universities.
  • Students must be proactive in finding their own mentored research experiences. While many colleges offer courses or paid positions to compensate students for their work, research experiences are a learning investment for students.

    On Campus Research Opportunities:

    Want to get your own Research Funding? Contact the Research Development Office.

    Courses
    Most departments offer course credit for mentored research. To get credit for these courses, students must be proactive with creating their own projects, finding faculty to work with, and enrolling in courses.
    LFSCI 494R- https://catalog.byu.edu/life-sciences/mentored-research
    COMMS 497R- https://catalog.byu.edu/fine-arts-and-communications/school-of-communications/mentored-research-practicum
    Poli 497R- https://catalog.byu.edu/family-home-and-social-sciences/political-science/mentored-research

    For More Info
    Visit your college’s website to search for additional information.
  • How To Get Started
    1. Find a professor and research area that interests you.
    • Visit the faculty website for your major. Read their published works to find out what they are interested in.  
    • Some professors have prerequisites required to work with them. Reach out to them to determine whether or not you are eligible to work with them.  
    2. Meet with a professor.
    • Once you have found a professor that you would like to work with, reach out and schedule a time to meet them. If they don't respond to an email or phone call, drop by their office! 
    • Be proactive and invest time in studying the faculty’s research, journal articles, etc., and be prepared to ask questions and comment on his/her research when you meet. 
    • The best time to meet with a faculty member about mentored research is at the beginning of winter semester (Jan-Mar). By that time they should know when and if a position will be available for you. 
    • If they do not have any research openings, ask them for references for other professors in the department that may be looking to work with students.  
    3. Start your research!
    • Talk to your professor about completing the experience for credit or pay. Each college has different regulations for this process.  
  • Many majors offer courses related to directed research including capstone project courses and directed research projects. Additionally, majors often offer credit for students working on their own research projects. Talk to your department and the professor that you plan to research with to discuss options for receiving credit. You may also consult the list of research courses by college here.
  • Read about student stories here.