RISE Site Expectations (multiple selections are allowed)

What are your expectations with regards to the following?

I expect Arkansas State University to be

a small college like my home institution a large university with an impersonal feel a large university with a personal feel an intimidating place a friendly accessible place

I expect the housing to be

small and cramped large and comfortable

I expect my fellow RISE interns to be

like me different from me a diverse mix of students

I expect the Program Director to

be accessible at all times not be around much have little to do with me during the summer be the main person, besides my mentor, that I talk to most often have little control over the summe program

I expect my mentor to

communicate with me before the start of RISE only discuss research with me when I arrive on campus work with me every day work with me once in a while provide constant guidance train me to be a scientist introduce me to new ideas introduce me to new people stay in touch with me long after RISE

What information do YOU think is most critical for a mentor to know about a RISE intern?

What do you want from your RISE experience?

to gain hands-on research experience to meet other students interested in science to gain the skills I need to go to graduate school to get training across disciplines to gain insight into the relation between science and policy/economics to demonstrate that I am good enough to do research

Why are you interested in Environmental Science?

What, in your opinion, are the most pressing environmental issues?

Do you expect the work you will be doing this summer will (check all that apply)

Provide experience in how research is planned, conducted and reported

Enhance your interest to pursue research as part of your future career goal

Do you hope to work as a member of a research team or along side a single mentor?

Do you hope to hone the following skills?

public speaking data collection and management analytical skills field skills familiarity with scientific literature technical writing skills social skills

Which of the following seminars do you expect to be the most useful for you?

Controversial Issues in Environmental Science Environmental Science and Environmental Policy Sustainability and Environmental Economics Environmental and Social Justice Scientific Writing Presenting Your Research to the Public Diversity in Higher Education How to Apply to Graduate School How to Survive Graduate School Responsible Conduct in Research Alternative Science Careers

What do you hope will be the most rewarding experience in RISE?

What do you expect to be the most frustrating experience in RISE?

MENTOR RATING

Consider each statement using the scale below and place a number rating for each item in the blank.
The question #s correspond to end of RISE evaluation numbers.

15. Interactions with my RISE mentor and/or mentors will be both intellectually stimulating and interpersonally rewarding.  1 2 3 4 5 6
 

16. My RISE mentor and/or mentors will be easily accessible to answer questions about my project or discuss research ideas. 1 2 3 4 5 6

17. My RISE mentor and/or mentors will model the process of scientific inquiry in a manner that will improve my understanding. 1 2 3 4 5 6

18. My RISE mentor and/or mentors will show interest in the research I will be conducting. 1 2 3 4 5 6

19. My RISE mentor and/or mentors will supply me with needed materials and supplies in a timely manner. 1 2 3 4 5 6

20. My RISE mentor and/or mentors will provide appropriate background information (reading, lecture, individual discussions) to help me to understand and prepare my research project. 1 2 3 4 5 6

21. My RISE mentor and/or mentors will help to minimize anxieties I have concerning the research process. 1 2 3 4 5 6

22.  My RISE mentor and/or mentors will do an excellent job of mentoring during the RISE program. 1 2 3 4 5 6

RESEARCH TRAINING ENVIRONMENT
Consider each statement using the scale below. Place a number rating for each item in the blank or NA (not applicable) if the item does not apply to you.
Note: “RISE mentor” is used in a general sense and it includes graduate students as well as professors with whom you have interacted.

23. The research during the  program will be intellectually challenging and stimulating. 1 2 3 4 5 6

24. The RISE faculty will rarely acknowledge the achievements of the students. 1 2 3 4 5 6

25. Many of the RISE faculty will not seem to be very interested in doing research. 1 2 3 4 5 6

26. The RISE faculty will do what they can  to make the research requirements of the program as rewarding as possible. 1 2 3 4 5 6

27. The RISE faculty will seem to notice only a few selected students in terms of reinforcing research achievements. 1 2 3 4 5 6

28. The RISE program will provide concrete support for students’ research (e.g., access to computers, access to lab facilities,
research supplies). 1 2 3 4 5 6

29. I think the RISE faculty will expect too much from my research project. 1 2 3 4 5 6

30. There will be informal sharing of research ideas during the RISE program. 1 2 3 4 5 6

31. The RISE faculty will understand and accept that any piece of research will have its methodological problems. 1 2 3 4 5 6

32.  I will be encouraged to get involved in some aspect of a research project from the very beginning of the RISE program. 1 2 3 4 5 6

33. I will have the opportunity to learn about several major research approaches (e.g., field, laboratory, experimental). 1 2 3 4 5 6

34. There will be opportunities to become part of a research team. 1 2 3 4 5 6

35. I will be encouraged during the RISE program to find and follow research ideas of interest to me. 1 2 3 4 5 6

36. The research climate during the RISE program will be one in which students were encouraged to pose questions they themselves are curious about. 1 2 3 4 5 6

37. Different research methodologies will be modeled during the RISE program. 1 2 3 4 5 6

38. The RISE faculty will enjoy discussing ideas. 1 2 3 4 5 6

39. The research will be difficult to get started because it will be organized in a way that will be anxiety provoking. 1 2 3 4 5 6

40. Students in the RISE program will receive training in how to design and logically analyze research studies. 1 2 3 4 5 6

41. I get the impression that my research work has to be of great value in the field to be worthwhile. 1 2 3 4 5 6

42. The RISE faculty will be involved in the conduct and publication of quality research. 1 2 3 4 5 6

43. Science ethics will be presented in a way that will be insensitive to students’ level of development as a researcher. 1 2 3 4 5 6

44. The RISE faculty will do a good job of showing students how ethics are actually used in environmental science. 1 2 3 4 5 6
.
45. There will be the opportunity during the RISE program to collaborate with others as part of a research team. 1 2 3 4 5 6

46. The RISE faculty will encourage me to pursue a research question in which I am interested. 1 2 3 4 5 6

47. The RISE faculty will encourage my research activities and accomplishments. 1 2 3 4 5 6
 
48. The RISE faculty will present an extremely narrow range of research methodologies. 1 2 3 4 5 6
.
49. During the RISE program there will be a focus on understanding the logic of research design. 1 2 3 4 5 6

50. The RISE faculty will stress that it is important to pursue research ideas that are personally interesting. 1 2 3 4 5 6

51. During the RISE program working as part of a research team will be fun, as well as intellectually stimulating. 1 2 3 4 5 6

52. It will be difficult to get started on your research project because you have limited opportunity to collaborate with the RISE faculty. 1 2 3 4 5 6

53. There will seem to be a general attitude that there will be one best way to do research. 1 2 3 4 5 6

54. I think I will have the feeling, during the RISE program, that my research project needed to be completely original and revolutionary to be acceptable. 1 2 3 4 5 6

55. I will receive quality training in the use of statistics in environmental science. 1 2 3 4 5 6

56. I get  the impression  that, although a single study does not revolutionize thinking in the scientific community,
such a study can contribute a useful piece to an unfolding body of knowledge. 1 2 3 4 5 6

57. The RISE environment will promote the idea that although parts of research must be done alone, other parts may involve working closely with other colleagues. 1 2 3 4 5 6

58. The RISE faculty will be generally sensitive to students’ anxieties and feelings about mathematics. 1 2 3 4 5 6

59. The RISE faculty will not seem to really care if students are genuinely interested in research. 1 2 3 4 5 6

60. During the RISE program students will be introduced to a wide range of research methodologies (e.g., field, laboratory, experimental, survey). 1 2 3 4 5 6

61. From the very beginning of the RISE program, students will receive mentoring from RISE faculty that will help develop the skills and the confidence needed to engage in research. 1 2 3 4 5 6

62. I feel that I have to choose a research topic of interest to the RISE faculty at the expense of my own interests. 1 2 3 4 5 6

63. During the RISE program students will feel their personal research ideas will be squashed during the process of collaborating with RISE faculty. 1 2 3 4 5 6

64. Students will get involved in thinking about research from the very start of the RISE program. 1 2 3 4 5 6

65. The RISE faculty will be quite open in sharing their research ideas. 1 2 3 4 5 6

66. The RISE faculty will show excitement about research and scholarly activities. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Self-efficacy and Attitudes Scale
Below is a series of statements asking about your attitudes toward research and your confidence in doing various research related activities. Consider each statement using the scale below and place a number rating for each item in the blank.

Answer these questions based on how you feel right now

67.  I   place a high value on the role of research in my future career.  1 2 3 4 5 6

68. I am confident in my ability to discuss research finding in the area of my RISE research. 1 2 3 4 5 6

69. I  enjoy reading research studies in the environmental sciences literature and in particular my specific sub-discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6

70. I am confident in my ability to evaluate research findings in terms of their application to environmental science and in particular my specific sub-discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6

71. Research conducted in environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline is of little value to society. 1 2 3 4 5 6

72. Attending graduate school is not a major priority for me. 1 2 3 4 5 6

73. I am confident in my ability to understand research literature in the field of environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6

74. Developing research skills is not an important part of my career goals. 1 2 3 4 5 6

75. I am confident in my ability to evaluate the quality of a research study in the area of environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6

76. Researchers in the field of environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline should focus on research which can be used to improve the lives of others. 1 2 3 4 5 6

77. I am confident in my ability to design an environmental science research study. 1 2 3 4 5 6

78. I think learning to do research is enjoyable. 1 2 3 4 5 6

79. I find research to be challenging and exciting. 1 2 3 4 5 6

80. I am confident in my ability to understand research in the area of environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6

81. Research in environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline is important because findings provide important information for policy makers. 1 2 3 4 5 6

82. I am interested in attending graduate school to do research. 1 2 3 4 5 6

83.  I am confident in my ability to apply science ethics to research in the area of environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6

84. Most research in environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline  is unnecessary. 1 2 3 4 5 6

85. I am confident in my knowledge of research methods in the area environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6

86. I would not enjoy working on another environmental science research project. 1 2 3 4 5 6

87.  I would not enjoy working on any other research project, regardless of the discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6

88. Research in environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline is important for identifying problems and solutions of value to society. 1 2 3 4 5 6

89. I find people who do research to be very interesting. 1 2 3 4 5 6

90. I am confident in my ability to apply various laboratory techniques to research in the area of environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline. 1 2 3 4 5 6

91. I enjoy listening to discussions about research in environmental science. 1 2 3 4 5 6

92. I am confident in my ability to develop research questions in the area of environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline which are interesting and researchable. 1 2 3 4 5 6

93. I would enjoy a research oriented job or a job which has some element of research in it. 1 2 3 4 5 6

94. Time passes quickly when I do research. 1 2 3 4 5 6

95. I am confident in my ability to translate research questions in the area of environmental science and in particular my sub-discipline into a research design. 1 2 3 4 5 6

96. I am easily frustrated when doing research. 1 2 3 4 5 6

97. I am confident in my ability to write-up research for publication in a scientific journal. 1 2 3 4 5 6

98.  Participation in RISE will confirm my decision not to pursue graduate school.  1 2 3 4 5 6

99.  I  will be able to credit my RISE experience with helping me shape my future career goals. 1 2 3 4 5 6

100.  I will likely complete a graduate degree in the environmental sciences. 1 2 3 4 5 6

YOU'RE FINALLY FINISHED!!!!!  Thank you!