Date of Award
December 2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Committee Member
Robert Sinclair
Committee Member
Patrick Rosopa
Committee Member
Mary Anne Taylor
Committee Member
Barbara Speziale
Abstract
Participation in undergraduate research has been shown to improve students’ abilities and increase their interest in pursuing post-graduate education. However, previous research has focused on differentiating between participants and non-participants, not necessarily within-program differences that can affect these outcomes. In Creative Inquiry at Clemson University, student participants can assist with projects in a wide variety of fields and experience team-based learning with close mentor supervision. This dissertation sought to expand the undergraduate research literature by showing how positive development students experienced as part of their time in undergraduate research led to beneficial psychological and career-related outcomes following graduation. The results suggested that the skill development and growth opportunities undergraduate research participants undergo led to improvements in work self-efficacy, graduate school attendance, and career choice satisfaction. This dissertation also showed that within-program differences, such as mentorship, participation length, and project productivity, did not affect the relationships between development and outcomes, suggesting these benefits may be program-wide rather than individually specific. Implications for the Undergraduate Research/Industrial-Organizational Psychology literatures as well suggestions for practice are also discussed.
Recommended Citation
Morgan, John, "Inquiry Complete: Experiences and Positive Career Outcomes Among Creative Inquiry Participants" (2020). All Dissertations. 2733.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/2733