Comprehensive Guide to Student Research at the University of North Texas

Overview of the Division of Research and Innovation

The Division of Research and Innovation at the University of North Texas (UNT) is responsible for supporting, facilitating, and empowering the growth of sustainable research across the university.
The division supports research for both faculty and students, with specific roles dedicated to focusing on undergraduate and graduate student research development.
UNT is classified as a Tier One research university, a ranking determined by several years of research outcomes, productivity, and the specific types of research conducted.
The university conducts significant research both domestically and internationally across various disciplines.
All research conducted at UNT must be approved by the Division of Research and Innovation.
Students typically conduct research under the supervision and management of a faculty member.
The division acts as the primary point of contact for identifying opportunities, sourcing funding, and assisting with the research process from beginning to end.

Defining Academic Research

Research is a systematic and organized process involving the investigation of a question, problem, or phenomenon. Its goals are to discover new knowledge, verify existing information, and find solutions to problems.
Key features of research include:
- Systematic: It follows a planned and structured process.
- Objective and Fact-based: It is rooted in evidence and facts, regardless of personal assumptions or opinions.
- Logical: It utilizes reasoning and analysis.
- Data-driven: It involves the collection and interpretation of information.
- Purposeful: It aims to answer specific questions or solve particular problems.

Research Across Various Disciplines

Research takes many forms depending on the field of study and is not limited to laboratory settings.
STEM Fields: Often involve research conducted in labs or through field collection.
Social Sciences: Frequently utilize observational research, surveys, and interviewing.
Arts and Media Arts: Includes creative projects paired with a research thesis. For many students in media arts, a Master of Fine Arts is a terminal degree requiring a thesis based on research.
Environmental Science: Often involves hands-on collection of samples from the field.
Interdisciplinary Research: Opportunities exist outside a student's primary major; students are encouraged to explore research in other disciplines if interested.

The Student Researcher Experience

Principal Investigator (PI): Every research study is managed by a PI, typically a faculty member or an external partner. The PI leads the project and mentors student researchers.
Team Collaboration: Research is often a collaborative effort involving teams of undergraduate and graduate students working under the guidance of the PI. This collaboration builds marketable skills for the workforce.
Data Collection and Analysis: Students contribute by:
- Conducting interviews.
- Performing experimental procedures.
- Operating research-related software tools.
- Running datasets on statistical platforms such as SPSS.
Grant Proposals: Faculty members constantly apply for grants and fellowships to fund their research. Students may assist with the administrative side or review documents for these proposals.
Authorship and Publication: UNT expects graduate students, particularly at the master's and doctoral levels, to work toward publication. Students who contribute to research papers may receive authorship credit, which is a significant addition to an academic CV.

Essential Steps for Starting a Research Journey

Identify Interests: Students should find a specific area of research that interests them, though they are not expected to have all the answers immediately.
Faculty Identification: Students should research faculty profiles on department websites to find professors whose work aligns with their interests. It is recommended to look for research or publications from within the last 5 years to ensure the faculty member is currently active.
Professional Outreach: Students should reach out to professors via email or office hours. Introducing oneself, stating a major, and requesting a brief meeting (e.g., 15 minutes) to discuss their research is an effective strategy.
Handshake: Most research positions, including paid assistantships, are posted on the Handshake platform.
Department Websites: Some departments post open positions or funding opportunities directly on their websites rather than on Handshake.
Professional Organizations: Joining student chapters of national professional organizations related to a discipline can lead to research opportunities and funding. Membership is often significantly cheaper for students than for professionals.

Presenting and Showcasing Research

Presenting research serves to inform the public, expand the reach of a topic, provide a forum for questions, and attract potential funders.
Conferences and Workshops: Students can present at regional, statewide, national, and international conferences.
Visual and Oral Tools:
- Posters: Research posters are used to summarize key elements, methods, and data visually.
- Oral Presentations: These involve speaking about research findings to an audience.
Travel Grants: Funding is available for student travel to conferences. Student Affairs offers travel grants, and the Division of Research and Innovation offers a competitive matching grant of up to $500$ to cover transportation, room and board, and conference fees.
University Research Day: This is a major event at UNT held to celebrate and showcase research across all disciplines.
- Date: October 1.
- Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Features: Poster sessions, resource fairs, and interactive panels.

Funding and Paid Assistantships

Paid Opportunities: While some internships are unpaid, many student research positions are paid through various mechanisms.
Hourly Assistantships: Students can be hired as hourly research assistants. The pay is determined by the department or faculty member, often funded by multi-year, multi-million dollar grants.
Scholarships and Fellowships:
- Funding is managed internally through the student financial aid department.
- The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is a highly competitive federal fellowship. It is available to upper-level undergraduates and early graduate students in specific majors.
- The GRFP provides a total of $159,000$ over a span of three to five years. This includes $16,000$ per year for the cost of education (tuition and fees) and a monthly stipend that totals $32,000$ annually.

Questions & Discussion

Definition of a CV: A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is an academic version of a resume. It is much longer and more comprehensive, listing all research, committee work, grants, and publications. A resume is typically limited to one or two pages and highlights the most recent five years of experience. For undergraduate research positions, a resume is usually sufficient.
Accessing Career Services: The UNT Career Center provides assistance with resume and CV formatting, mock interviews, and job searches. Alumni can continue to use these services after graduation.
Finding Office Hours: Faculty members usually list their office hours in their course syllabus. If a student is not in a professor's class, they can check the department website, call the department administrator, or email the professor directly to ask for their availability.
Previous Experience Requirements: Faculty members hiring undergraduates typically do not expect extensive previous experience. They look for basic technical skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel), data analysis software knowledge, and general work experience. Standardized training is provided once a student is hired for a lab.
Newsletter and Updates: The student research development office sends out a monthly newsletter containing upcoming workshops, funding opportunities, and highlights of student researchers. It includes links to Handshake and specific grant information.