Computing Science Research: Broadening Participation through Undergraduate Experiences
We investigate students perceptions of computing science (CS) research, and the role of undergraduate research experiences in attracting, engaging, and retaining undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds in computing science programs. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, we reviewed related works, explored undergraduate research practices in 40 international institutions, examined the structure and outcomes of relevant research exposure programs, and conducted student and educator surveys and follow-up interviews. We performed quantitative and qualitative (thematic, narrative) analysis on survey and interview responses. Our findings from the literature suggest persistent stereotypes associated with computing science research and researchers. However, broadening participation in computing science research can provide alternative pathways in computing, appealing to a more diverse student population. We also found variations in goals, approaches, and designs of programs across the globe, with evidence suggesting that students at European institutions generally have more structured, curriculum-embedded exposure to computing science research. Our student survey responses indicate significant differences in association with scientific identity (p=0.0007), access to opportunities (p<0.001), and perceptions about attainability of research experiences (p=0.015) among participant groups stratified by prior research exposure. We also observe significant differences in association with scientific identity (p=0.0008) among participant groups stratified by their association with a marginalized identity. Insights from open-ended questions of student survey, educators survey, and student and educator interviews elaborate on the impact, availability, and the design of programs for research exposure. We conclude by proposing actionable recommendations for creating and enhancing undergraduate research experiences as a step towards broadening participation in computing science.
