Getting Started in Research

Where to Start?

Beginning your journey in conducting research can take you on many paths depending on where you want to go. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you can achieve only what you set your mind to do. As you begin your research path, we encourage you to get as much support from your peers, faculty, and staff to help you along the way. Building a strong support network will ensure that you reach your research goal!

The Office of Undergraduate Research is here to help you. This page provides an outline of research opportunities that are open to all students from majors across campus. If you have specific questions about these topics, please email us at our@cpp.edu.

Step 1

Learn About Research

Participating in research will help you gain specific skills such as developing your research topic, conducting literature searches, analyzing data, preparing conference presentations, and improving your writing and communication skills. There are additional benefits such as interpersonal development through working with teams on projects and mentoring from a faculty member who can influence your decisions on graduate school and employment opportunities.

Winny Dong presenting a workshop to students.

Attend Workshops

We offer both in-person and recorded workshops/seminars. The most popular workshop is Getting Started in Research. We also have workshops on other topics to help you with developing your research project. These workshops are open to all CPP students!
Student smiling with her laptop open.

Visit Bronco Scholar

Bronco Scholar is hosted by the University Library and is a repository or database of student and faculty work. There are undergraduate research project abstracts from campus conferences as well as collections of both student and faculty projects. Bronco Scholar is an excellent resource for students who want to see examples of past student research. If you find a research topic that interests you, the student’s faculty mentor and department is also listed.
A student and mentor working together.

Sign Up for the OUR Mailing List

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) sends out updates about undergraduate research opportunities, both at Cal Poly Pomona and externally, upcoming events and highlights our research community.

What is Undergraduate Research?

Step 2

Connect with Faculty & Programs

Start by talking with faculty you know. Talk to current and past professors from courses you have done well in and have enjoyed. Even if the professor is not currently seeking an undergraduate researcher, they may know of colleagues who are seeking research assistants within your discipline.

Faculty group photo.

Connect with a STARS Faculty Member

Faculty Mentor Research Stars (STARS) are faculty members who have helped mentor their students to conduct, present, and publish research; all the requirements for the Student Research Distinction. Read STARS profiles to get more information on undergraduate research and how to get started.
Student presenting his research at RSCA

Attend a Research Event

In addition to workshops/seminars, the office hosts events every term that are open to the campus. You can attend these events as a guest to meet current student researchers and faculty mentors. There are many events throughout the year to participate in such as campus conferences and the Celebration of Research in the spring term.

Tips to Connect with Faculty

  1. Start with Familiar Faculty

    Reach out to professors from courses you’ve enjoyed or excelled in—they may know of research opportunities or refer you to colleagues in your discipline.

  2. Do Your Research

    Read faculty profiles and skim their publications to learn about their research interests before reaching out.

  3. Talk to Your Network

    Ask your academic advisor and other undergraduates involved in research for guidance on finding faculty mentors and learning how they got started.

  4. Reach Out Thoughtfully

    Attend office hours and bring a CV or resume. Begin with small talk, then express your interest in the professor’s research and explain why you want to get involved.

  5. Ask Questions

    Inquire about current opportunities or advice on how to begin your own research project.

  6. Follow Up and Explore

    Thank faculty for their time and consider speaking with more than one mentor to gain a broader view of potential research paths in your field.

Step 3

Plan & Finance Your Research

We recommend consulting with your faculty mentor first about the research path that would work best for you based on your goals and timeline. We also advertise both on- and off-campus research opportunities through the OUR Mailing List.

Group of students interacting.

Apply to a Program

Campus research programs provide assistance with developing and completing a research project. These programs provide structure and support from dedicated faculty mentors and staff. The listing of campus research programs is updated annually.
Student studying in the library.

IRB (Institutional Review Board)

If you are a student researcher and your research project may entail working with human subjects, then you must go through protocol and clearance in order to conduct research. IRB is that process of getting approval.
A student presenting her research poster at a conference.

Apply for a Conference Award

The Conference Presentation Award is a fellowship to support your research for presentation at an academic conference off campus. To be approved for a fellowship, you must have an accepted abstract to present at the conference with your name listed as an author or contributor to your faculty mentor's project.

Common Paths to Conduct Research

  1. Collaborate with Faculty on Campus

    Volunteer to work with a faculty member on their research projects. Some colleges may have funding to hire Research or Lab Assistants.

  2. Gain Experience Off Campus

    Work or volunteer for a researcher outside of your university — in a hospital, medical center, research institute, private industry, or community-based organization, for example. Researchers with major grants depend upon students for many elements of study management, data collection and statistical analyses.

  3. Kellogg Honors College

    Students in the Kellogg Honors College complete an honors thesis or capstone project.

  4. Reach Out Thoughtfully

    Attend office hours and bring a CV or resume. Begin with small talk, then express your interest in the professor’s research and explain why you want to get involved.

  5. Enroll in a Research-Focused Course

    Take a research methods or projects class in your department or college.

  6. Apply for Research Programs

    Apply to a research program that can take place during either the academic year or summer.

Step 4

Showcase Your Work

Presenting your research is an important milestone that will bring awareness and recognition for your research. Often, you can use the campus conference as practice for a professional meeting or conference in your discipline.

A student presenting her poster at the RSCA.

Student RSCA

The Student Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities (RSCA) Conference is an annual event that provides an opportunity for our undergraduate and graduate students to share their original research, scholarly and creative activities. This conference is competitive and occurs in early March every year. Ten oral presentations are selected from the conference to represent CPP at the CSU System-Wide Competition that occurs annually in April/May.
Students and faculty at CARS.

CARS Symposium

The Creative Activities and Research Symposium (CARS) is a celebration of student investigation, exploration, and inquiry completed by current CPP students and students participating in summer research programs. Students can present the work they completed during the academic year and summer while they were a student at CPP.
Two students reviewing their work.

Publish your Research

The REACH Journal is an online compilation of undergraduate research at Cal Poly Pomona. Reach showcases outstanding scholarship, creative works, and research conducted by undergraduate students under the mentorship of faculty members.