Research Rookies is a co-curricular experience coordinated by OSEEL in collaboration with faculty across all colleges and subject specialist librarians. Students participate in learning activities meant to develop their information literacy and other foundational research skills throughout the program while also engaging in faculty- mentored research projects. Students successfully completing the program will receive a $500 stipend.
Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, be new to research, and be a freshman, sophomore or junior.
Students complete an application. Applicants meeting the eligibility and screening criteria (depth, thoroughness, and clarity in the application responses) are invited for a group interview facilitated by NIU staff and faculty. Successful interviewees receive an invitation to become Research Rookies.
The goals of the program are developing:
OSEEL does not provide course credit.
Schedule an initial meeting with the student to establish goals and expectations and to co-complete the Faculty-Student Learning Agreement. At minimum, we ask that you meet with your mentee(s) monthly to discuss their progress, review expectations, and timelines. You will also be added to the Research Rookies Blackboard organization where you will find a faculty-mentor resource folder with general expectations and resources.
Students are expected to complete required training determined by their faculty-mentor, engage in approximately 5 hours of research per week, follow all safety guidelines, and adhere to ethical standards. The amount of time spent on independent research and individual or group meetings should be discussed when completing the learning agreement and revisited as needed. Rookies will also present their research at the Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE).
Rookies receive peer mentorship from Undergraduate Research Ambassadors (URAs) who have been through the Research Rookies program or have at least one year of undergraduate research experience. OSEEL staff provides guidance on navigating the mentorship relationship and meets 1:1 with each Rookie once per semester.
You and the students will be added to the Research Rookies Blackboard organization where weekly announcements are posted.
Please email your concern to researchrookies@niu.edu or contact the Associate Director at 753-7220.
Students can communicate their research project through a poster presentation, display or exhibit.
The Research Rookies curriculum includes a unit on Abstracts and Academic Posters where students learn about making an effective poster. Poster templates are provided for students under the student resources section of the CURE website. Students are encouraged to consult with you and edit headers on the template as necessary to reflect norms within their field of study. Rookies participate in a review of their poster with their peer mentor. We also ask that you review the students’ poster before they submit it.
Yes. Students can present preliminary or anticipated results if their research is ongoing.
OSEEL coordinates printing of posters in collaboration, at no cost, for students who follow the submission protocol.
The Research Rookies curriculum includes a unit on Communicating Research, including developing an elevator pitch. Rookies also practice their elevator pitch with their peer mentor.
Incoming freshman, transfer students and currently enrolled freshman and sophomores with a 3.0 GPA looking to participate in a first-time college research opportunity are eligible to apply for Research Rookies.
The application period typically runs from mid spring semester through the end of June for the upcoming academic year.
You will submit a brief application addressing how participation in undergraduate research will help you achieve your academic and career goals, topics you are interested in exploring or challenges you are seeking to solve, and relevant skills you have. Applicants meeting program criteria and answering questions thoroughly and with clarity will be invited to interview for the program.
Acceptance notifications are sent out within 3 weeks of being interviewed.
On average, you can expect to spend 5-10 hours per week on research related activities.
The schedule for working on research is determined with your faculty-mentor. All Research Rookies will co-complete a faculty-student learning agreement which details expectations, including your schedule.
No, OSEEL will facilitate faculty mentor matching. If you already have a committed faculty mentor, please communicate that information with the OSEEL staff.
No, course credit is not provided
Yes, Research Rookies is an approved Honors engaged experience. After completing the program, you must complete the reflection requirement within Suitable to receive credit.
It depends. OSEEL does their best to make a compatible match based upon your interest, major, and career goals, as well as available faculty.
Once you are matched with a faculty-mentor, you and your mentor will work together to determine your project.
No, there are not out of pocket fees for you to participate in the program.
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a $500 scholarship.