Psychology Graduate Students as Research Mentors of Undergraduates: A National Survey

Abstract

A survey of graduate chairpersons in psychology about the prevalence and value of mentoring relationships between psychology graduate and undergraduate students was conducted. Surveys were mailed to 235 chairpersons at colleges and universities, with 130 (55%) surveys returned. The results indicate that formal mentoring programs were rare (6%); however, a substantial percentage of respondents (75%) reported that graduate students interact informally with undergraduates on research projects. In addition, respondents estimated that a large percentage of psychology graduate students (49%) and faculty members (66%) would favor interactions in which graduate students serve as mentors to undergraduate students. Finally, possible advantages and disadvantages of such interactions are presented. Over-all, respondents endorsed significantly more advantages than disadvantages associated with this type of mentoring relationship for both graduate (48% vs 35%) and undergraduate students (54% vs 19%).