Collaborative Dynamics in Undergraduate Research: Group-Based Engineering Projects across a Three-Year Span

This paper examines the evolution of undergraduate research over three summers that was focused on the development of an electrophotographic 3D printer and the associated pedagogical outcomes.The paper further quantifies the impact of individual vs group dynamics on the outcomes of the research, both for the students and for the research.The study contrasts the experiences and productivity of individual versus group research dynamics in an undergraduate setting.Specifically, student researchers were retained for roughly 8 weeks of 40-hour work weeks, though specifics were very negotiable.Man-hours were not specifically recorded at the time, but can be somewhat derived by their accomplishments over the course of their work.Variables examined are productivity per person and spread of productive ideation per person, though both the selection and the measurement of these variables is quite difficult and may be considered subjective.The contrast between the three years and the components thereof highlight the benefits of collaborative undergraduate research, particularly in terms of productivity, skill diversification, and peer learning.The study also underscores the importance of structured guidance and diverse project components in enhancing the undergraduate research experience.This research contributes to the understanding of effective mentoring strategies for professors and the value of group dynamics in undergraduate research, particularly in engineering and applied sciences.