Conducting Undergraduate Research

Participating in undergraduate research prepares you for your post-graduation plans by enhancing your academic experience and giving you the opportunity to explore your interests more fully.

Mason conducts high-level research in a variety of areas, and your connection to the University can help you be a part of that. Visit Student Research to learn more about research at Mason, and ways you can get involved. 

Participate in research to: 

  • Explore options for career pathways or further academic study 
  • Enhance your resume by building subject matter expertise and transferable skills
  • Build a foundation for graduate study and understanding of research design and methodology through hands-on, practical experience 
  • Learn to publicly advocate for yourself and your work 
  • Create something new and contribute knowledge to your field that can have a lasting impact

Find your research interest

Conducting research is a great way to explore options for career pathways or further academic study. You may find that with all of your interests, deciding how to get started is overwhelming. To narrow your focus, and make the most of your research, ask yourself: 

  • If I could buy five books in one field, what topic would I choose?  
  • What problem do I hope to solve? What do I need to know to solve that problem?
  • Which class or classes have been the most interesting, and what questions did I still have after the class finished? (this does not have to be within your major/minor)
  • What research topics relate to that field, sector, or organization I want to end up in? What interests me in that field? 
  • What do I hope to learn that isn't addressed by my major/minor?
  • In my career conversations with alumni/working professionals in organizations of interest, what topics do they wish they had more time to research? What would they benefit from someone researching for them?