Undergraduate Research Beyond the Classroom: Assessing Student Choices in a Scholarship Badge Program

This study examines undergraduate students’ preferences in completing tasks designed to demonstrate proficiency in research and scholarship. Using university-wide data collected from students participating in the Academic Enhancement and Scholarship badging program, the analysis identifies which activities students most frequently choose and how these preferences align with the learning objectives of these academic skill-building opportunities. Tasks completed by students contribute toward earning a digital badge that recognizes engagement in scholarly learning experiences. Findings offer insights into how students approach skill development, information literacy, research, and which activities they perceive as most meaningful. The study also recommends how institutions can better support co-curricular pathways for undergraduate research and scholarship. This work contributes to understanding student motivation and offers evidence-based guidance for developing co-curricular experiences for student scholarship.