Economics Undergraduate Research
Research projects give economics students the opportunity to focus on a particular area of interest that might not be covered in depth in your classes. You’ll also learn how to collaborate with faculty members and fellow researchers while developing an idea from start to finish.
Research Funding
Some undergraduate research opportunities at Truman that provide funding to conduct research include:
Examples of Student Research Projects
- “China’s Damaged Crops: Economic Loss from Nitrogen Overuse.”
Christopher Floyd: Presented at the Truman’s McNair Research Presentations - “Sexual Orientation and Income: The Queer Economics of Earning Potential.”
Megan Burik: Presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at Weber State University - “Measuring the Impact of Banking Regulation in Reducing Vulnerability to Financial Crises.”
Jason Whitely: Presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at Weber State University - The Grameen Bank and Political Empowerment: Evaluating the Sociopolitical Impacts of Microcredit Programs”
Syed Zaidi: Presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at Weber State University - “The Effect of Nuclear Power on Economic Prosperity.”
Hiroki Sato: Presented at the Student Research Conference - “Foreign Direct Investment and Productivity Spillovers in Vietnam”
Long Nguyen: Presented at the Student Research Conference - “Does government Financed Debt Increase Interest Rates: A Comparative Study of OECD Countries”
Joseph Gebhart: Presented at The TruScholars Research Symposium - “Clashing Worlds: The Incorporation of the Warao Tribe into Non-indigenous Venezuelan Society”
Kathryn Bollman: Presented at the Student Research Conference. - “Obesity and Income: A Multiple Linear Regression Analysis of the Relationship of Obesity and One’s Income”
Christopher Floyd: Presented at the Student Research Conference
- Undergraduate research allows Truman students to study a topic of personal interest to themselves with the mentoring assistance of one or more faculty members. This includes the possibility of studying topics beyond regular course offerings.
- Undergraduate research can allow a student to distinguish themselves from others in the application process for graduate school or post-baccalaureate employment opportunities. Most Truman students who have landed post-baccalaureate employment at government agencies or think tanks have participated in undergraduate research.
- Undergraduate research participation can yield opportunities for publications or presentations. Publications and presentations can be helpful in the application process for graduate school or employment and are also important determinants of receipt of Departmental Honors in Economics.
- Some available undergraduate research opportunities, such as the TruScholars Program and the Grants-in-Aid of Scholarship and Research Program provide funding opportunities for conducting such research.
- Participating in undergraduate research facilitates opportunities for faculty members to get to know students better, which can lead to better advising and more personalized and detailed letters of recommendation.
- Students can sign up for individualized research opportunities for academic credit with a faculty member. In economics this is usually done by signing up for either ECON 486 – Readings in Economics or ECON 554 – Independent Studies: Economics. To sign up for either course, students should approach the faculty they wish to work with and negotiate the details of the topic to be studied and the work expectation for the individualized course. Special permission of the mentoring faculty member is necessary before students can sign up for either of these two courses.
- Students interested in participating in undergraduate research should pay attention to announcements from the Office of Academic Affairs and posted in Truman Today campus newsletter regarding opportunities to participate in such programs as the TruScholars Program, the Grants-in-Aid of Scholarship and Research Program, the McNair Program, and the Student Research Conference.
- Students interested in participating in undergraduate research should familiarize themselves with available outlets for publication or presentation of their research results.