Thinking and behaving like scientists: Perceptions of undergraduate science interns and their faculty mentors

Abstract

We examined undergraduate research experiences (UREs) participants’ and their faculty mentors’ beliefs about the professional practices and dispositions of research scientists. In Study 1, 63 science interns and their mentors rated Merton’s (J Legal Political Sociol, 1:115–126, 1942) norms and Mitroff’s (Am Sociol Rev, 39(August):579–595, 1974) counter-norms of scientific practice. Specifically, we investigated what practices they believed research scientists should subscribe to (or not), and what practices they believed actually characterized research scientists’ behavior in the real world. Regarding idealized practice, mentors rated the norms significantly higher than did interns; mentors and interns generally did not differ in subscription to the counter-norms. Regarding actual practice, mentors believed scientists’ behaviors reflected counter-norms more than norms. Mentors further noted discrepancies between practices that should represent and actually did represent scientists’ work. In Study 2, interns and mentors listed characteristics associated with “thinking” and “behaving” like scientists. Personal and professional dispositions were mentioned more than intellectual and research skills. Although there was considerable consensus between faculty and intern perceptions, findings also revealed discrepancies that could be addressed in UREs, thereby aiding undergraduates’ socialization into the culture of scientific practice. Suggestions are provided for broadening interns’ conceptions of both scientists and science.

Appendix

Perceptions of scientific practices

The following statements reflect different values about how the scientific research community should function, according to studies of scientists’ work. Now that you’ve had the chance to work closely with scientists during this summer internship, use the scale below to indicate the extent to which you personally feel it ACTUALLY REPRESENTS the behavior of most scientists.

1 = not at all 2 = very little 3 = somewhat 4 = quite a bit 5 = a great deal

• _____ 1. Scientists are generally motivated by the desire for knowledge and discovery, and not by the possibility of personal gain (Disinterestedness) (N).

• _____ 2. Scientists make an attempt to consider all new evidence, hypotheses, theories, and innovations, even those that challenge or contradict their own work (Organized Skepticism) (N).

• _____ 3. Scientists generally assess new knowledge and its applications based on the reputation and past productivity of the individual or research group (Particularism) (CN).

• _____ 4. Scientists openly share new findings with all colleagues (Communality) (N).

• _____ 5. Scientists generally invest their careers in promoting their own most important findings, theories, or innovations (Organized Dogmatism) (CN).

• _____ 6. Scientists compete with others in the same field for funding and recognition of their achievements (Self-interestedness) (CN).

• _____ 7. Scientists generally evaluate research only on its merit (i.e., according to accepted standards of the field) (Universalism) (N).

• _____ 8. Scientists emphasize the protection of their newest findings to ensure priority in publishing, patenting, or applications (Solitariness) (CN).

Note. The survey has been adapted from Anderson and Louis (1994). N = Merton’s norms; CN = Mitroff’s counter-norms. The survey taken by participants did not include (N) or (CN) following each statement. They have been included here to assist readers of this article in the identification of the norms and counter-norms.