Political Science students have the opportunity to conduct collaborative research with faculty members and to undertake significant research projects of their own. Engaging in research with the help of a faculty mentor has significant benefits for our students, such as helping to improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills and promoting intellectual independence. Conducting research also helps students build a competitive profile for scholarships and awards, graduate school or law school, or for entering the job market. Political science undergraduate research projects published in Chapman’s digital commons have been downloaded over 40,000 times from individuals across the world, highlighting the wide reach and real-world impact of our students’ scholarship.
» Student Research
Ways to get Involved in Research
Assist in Faculty Research
Political science professors conduct research in a wide variety of fields, and there are many opportunities for students to assist in the research process. Current faculty research projects include an examination of how and when rebel groups comply with United Nations action plans and an inquiry into the U.S. population’s preparedness for, and responses to, natural disasters. Students serving as research assistants typically gain experience with data analysis, literature review development, citation creation, and other key skills. Some of our students have even had the opportunity to publish co-authored work with faculty members. In order to get started with assisting faculty members in research, students can reach out directly to their professors to inquire about ongoing research projects or search Chapman’s job portal for open positions.
Independent Research
Political science students are required to undertake independent research, and the department strives to provide them with the proper tools for this endeavor. In courses like Research Methodology and the Senior Capstone, students engage with a variety of research methods in the creation of their projects. Many of the students in these courses present their research at conferences such as the Chapman Student Scholar Symposium and in some cases have published their work in undergraduate academic journals.
Students are supported in their research endeavors at Chapman. They can get course credit for conducting independent research under the supervision of a faculty member through the creation of their own 291/491 course. They can also apply for travel funds to attend conferences through one easy portal that will connect them to funding opportunities across departments.
Henley Lab
The Henley Lab supports undergraduate and faculty research through a variety of programs. Research assistants staff the lab five days a week and can help faculty with the collection and analysis of data. They are also available to support students by providing tutoring in SPSS, GIS and quantitative methods for courses that include this content. Many of the student researchers staffed in the lab over the years have been political science majors, allowing them to work on complex research projects across various fields.
