In particular, UD’s CEAE is a bit abnormal. The center not only serves as a research and experimental space, but also an effective space for teaching, with a large faculty specifically dedicated to research in experimental and applied economics with an environmental focus. there is.
“Not many universities have a center like we have here at UD,” said Kent Messer, S. Hallock DuPont Professor of Applied Economics. “We have the largest faculty in the world focused on applying experimental economics to agricultural and environmental topics.”
Researchers say there are several benefits to working with undergraduate research assistants in an environment like CEAE. It deprives students of not only academic success but also certain qualities such as problem solving and critical thinking. Hiring undergraduate students is often more cost-effective than hiring graduate researchers. It also gives faculty an extra hand to expand the scope of their projects.
However, there are also some challenges. Undergraduate research assistants require additional training and close supervision, which is often repeated as undergraduates cycle through the center. Also, because the turnover rate is constant, recruitment will continue. Students may also enter school with unrealistic expectations about what is expected of them and the reality of what they are actually doing.
“Students who are excited about undergraduate research may have visions of themselves going to college and becoming researchers, collecting data, analyzing it, and writing papers,” says Palmforster. . “That’s a great goal, but it will take years to achieve, and it’s not something you can achieve in a summer internship or a semester.”
Messer added, “One of the realities that most undergraduates understand is, ‘Oh my God, these research projects take a long time.'”
The researchers made 10 recommendations for other institutions to create research programs that enable the development of undergraduate students.
In their recommendations, the researchers advise institutions to develop volunteer programs that can ultimately tap into the talent pool. It also recommends paying above-market wages, hiring students from different majors and diverse backgrounds, and introducing mentoring programs.
Nelson Poteet also has advice for undergraduate students interested in research opportunities.
“Try it,” Nelson Poteet said. “It’s a great opportunity for undergraduates to be involved in research, whether it’s applied economics or not.”
The paper, “Dare to Experiment: The Synergistic Relationship Between Undergraduate Research and Experimental Economy,” was written by Carl Nelson-Poteet, Lusi Xie, Kent D. Messer, and Leah H. Palm-Forster. This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. (CBEAR #2019-67023-29854), NSF (Project WiCCED #1757353), and S. Hallock du Pont Endowment. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and should not be construed as representing official decisions or policies of the Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Government.
