Sunday, July 25, 2010
In its first two publications, the Journal of Undergraduate Research published findings on everything from witch hangings to cockroach allergies to breast cancer to generic versus name-brand buying habits. The journal, which is accepting applications through Oct. 1, is now preparing for its third publication.
Founded in 2008 by a few ambitious KU undergraduates, the goal of the peer-reviewed and primarily student-run journal is to encourage undergraduate students to get involved in research for publication and publish their findings, said Christopher Haufler, who is leading its publication this year.
“This is genuine research, not a book report,” said Haufler, also a chairman and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. “It is actual new knowledge that is being generated by undergraduate students.”
The best thing about the journal is that students can engage in the research and realize that research is actually fun, interesting and exciting to be a part of, said Mike Vitevitch, an associate professor of psychology who is also managing the production of the journal this year.
“They have a better understanding of what goes on and how findings come about than when they read it in a newspaper or a book,” Vitevitch said.
And the journal can lead to recognition outside of the University.
“Some students do end up being a part of publications in professional journals,” Vitevitch said.
One recent KU graduate, Patrick Selley, was involved in a group research project that studied the role of fucose, a type of sugar, in early cancer detection. Selley and the four members of his group had results published in the Fall 2009 edition of the journal.
“It’s great to see recognition of students’ work beyond the grade they get in a class,” Selley said.
He enjoyed the whole process, he said, from the creation of the experiments with his group, to the excitement in sharing the results in front of the faculty.
“Instead of doing regimented experiments out of a textbook, we were able to do actual science,” Selley said.
All fields of study are welcomed in the undergraduate journal, Haufler said.
“It covers everything from anthropology to psychology to literature to business to biology and chemistry,” Haufler said. “It’s really quite diverse.”
Whether a student gets involved in the publishing, editing, research or review sides of this journal, it will be useful down the road, said alumnus Ryan Ellis, co-founder and former editor of the journal.
“Beyond being resume filler, you’re putting together a publication. You go class to class, soliciting. You’re working with a publisher for print layout,” Ellis said. “The organizational skills you acquire are great.”
After the journal is published it’s sent to 400 high schools in Kansas to give the students a sense of the things that go on at the University, Hafler said. Although the print edition won’t be available to everyone for free, alumni, prospective students and their parents, faculty and current students will have access to the online version when it is available.
Publication of the journal is projected for some time near the end of 2010, in November or December, Vitevitch said.
To find out more about how to submit to the journal, print applications, and view past editions, go to www.web.ku.edu/~kujur.
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