Evaluating the undergraduate research experience in computer science: developing a framework for gathering information about effectiveness and impact

As undergraduate research experience programs proliferate to include all students, the need to evaluate and assess these types of programs also grows. This paper presents an overview of the evaluation/assessment process and a framework for developing an evaluation plan to assess the effectiveness and impact of the undergraduate research experience. Drawing on the ongoing evaluation of the Affinity Research Group at the University of Texas at El Paso, USA, the framework is designed to: (1) focus on issues and questions that form the basis for the design and implementation of the evaluation of undergraduate research experience programs in computer science; and (2) provide examples of indicators and tools for assessing program outcomes and process.