Peer Research Consultant

Peer Research Consultant Program is similar to the program used at North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Specifically, the OSR Peer Research Consultant program provides instructors with an undergraduate or graduate student who serves as the Peer Consultants, and whose assistance contributes to turning course assignments into research projects. 

The primary role of the Peer Research Consultant is to assist students as they implement, design, analyze, and publish the results of their projects. Specifically, the OSR Peer Research Consultants will assist with framing questions appropriate for the discipline, implementing and conducting class investigations, and reporting findings in writing and/or orally to the class and to a broader audience. 

For the purpose of our program, we adopt the National Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR) definition for research, i.e.: "an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline." By adopting the CUR definition, the OSR expects students to disseminate their research findings through presentations and other scholarly pursuits such as publications appropriate for their discipline. CSUSB students are encouraged to take advantage of The OSR Journal of Student Research, and the OSR symposium the “Meeting of the Minds”. 

Mission

Peer Research Consultant program (PRC) is to contribute to building a community of scholars that foster innovation and develop a sense of purpose and achievement. PRC are upper-division undergraduate students or graduate students who assist instructors with turning course assignments into research projects. The PRC supports students as they implement, design, analyze, and disseminate the results of their projects. Specifically, the PRC assists with framing questions appropriate for the discipline, implementing and conducting class investigations, and reporting findings in writing and orally to the class and a broader audience. This program targets all courses.

Objectives

1. The OSR Peer Research Consultant program will develop, implement and monitor a program that will integrate students into the extensive research and scholarship work of the department faculty.
2. Participants in this program will enroll in graduate school at a higher rate than their peers, will receive a higher overall grade in the targeted class than their peers, and will obtain an overall higher grade point average than their peers.
3. The OSR Peer Research Consultant will employ ongoing, consistent program evaluation that includes clear goals and objectives, identification of appropriate means to measure outcomes, and a process for incorporating results into program development and implementation.
4. The OSR Peer Research Consultant will contribute to campus, state, and national academic and non-academic conversations regarding the role of a Peer Consultant.

Model & Design

1.  Peer Research Consultant Administration: The OSR provides support to faculty and Peer Research Consultants. The OSR hires, trains and evaluates the Peer Research Consultants.  The OSR also evaluates the overall achievements of the program.
2. Faculty: Faculty selects Peer Research Consultants for their classes. Faculty members also promote the OSR Peer Research Consultant program by encouraging all their students to work with peer consultants. Faculty cooperates with Peer Research Consultant by providing course assignments that have the potential to be turned into research projects. Faculty also cooperates with OSR by providing data needed for assessment.
3. Peer Research Consultant: Undergraduate or graduate students who are selected (or at least approved) by the instructor, and trained to provide assistance to faculty in all colleges with the exception of the College of Education.
4. Students: Students enrolled in the course seeking assistance as they implement, design, analyze, and publish the results of their projects. Peer Leaders, once selected by the Faculty awardee, are hired as Instructional Student Assistants and paid $16.20/hour for 10 hours per week. The program begins the first week of classes and ends during finals week. Peer Leaders are expected to attend mandatory training prior to the start of the academic year. 

Courses being offered with Peer-Research support for Fall 2024:

Apply Today!

Application Opens: Deadline Passed

Deadline for Spring 2025: Closed

SUBMIT PEER RESEARCH CONSULTANT (PRC) APPLICATION