Undergraduate Research Student Self-Assessment (URSSA)

URSSA is an online survey instrument for use in evaluating student outcomes of undergraduate research experiences in the sciences. It is highly customizable and allows for comparison against similar programs (especially for NSF-funded Biology REU programs). The University of Colorado developed the URSSA, which has been supported by the National Science Foundation through its Divisions of Chemistry and Undergraduate Education, the Biological Sciences Directorate, and the Office of Multidisciplinary Affairs.

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Supplemental Information:

n/a

Assessment Type:

Self-Assessment

Scale:

multiple choice, point scale (e.g. Likert scale), or selected response, short written response, individual self-assessment or ratings (e.g., Likert scale)

Publication Date:

Jun 21, 2009

Respondent:

Postsecondary education

Domain(s) Evaluated:

Engagement, Attitude / Behavior, Career Knowledge / Acquisition

Sample items:

N/A

Reliability:

Reliability of composite variables - Cronbach's alpha range- Thinking and working like a scientist (0.88-0.90), Personal gains (0.90-0.91), Skills (0.91-0.92), Attitudes and behaviors (0.83-0.84)

Validity:

see reference section

Frequency:

Rarely

Administration time:

15-45 minutes

Requires a Computer:

Yes

Requires Internet Access:

Yes

Primary reference:

Validity:
Undergraduate Research Student Self-Assessment (URSSA): Validation for use in program evaluation. CBE-Life Sciences Education, 14(3), 33. doi: 10.1187/cbe.14-11-0206

Primary Reference:
Hunter, A. B., Weston, T. J., Laursen, S. L., & Thiry, H. (2009). URSSA: Evaluating student gains from undergraduate research in science education. Council on Undergraduate Research Quarterly, 29(3), 15-19.

Comments:

STEM Criteria

Science

Yes

Technology

No

Engineering

No

Math

No
Learn how to Obtain this Assessment Tool
Contact

abhunter@colorado.edu