Undergrad Research in Libraries and School of Information Studies
The Libraries and School of Information Studies is committed to providing high-quality opportunities for students to learn about real-world information studies topics by conducting original research alongside faculty mentors. Our faculty investigate topics from a wide array of research areas that examine information within society, including …
- Information literacy: The knowledge and practices that people use to navigate and make decisions with information across their lives.
- Evidence synthesis: The systematic identification, examination, and synthesis of findings from multiple studies around a research question or topic.
- Research data management: The multitude of practices involved in organizing and preserving research data to be usable by others.
- Digital humanities: An interdisciplinary field that applies computational methods to humanistic research.
- Geospatial information: Research that centers around Earth surface data to be used for mapping, spatial analysis, and more.
- Archival studies: The theory and practice of appraising, organizing, preserving, and providing access to rare and unique source materials of lasting historical and scholarly value.
- Open science: The pursuit of democratizing research by making data, methods, published findings, etc. freely available and reusable.
Explore the sections below to learn more about the many information studies research areas, consider avenues and topics that pique your curiosity and can bolster your academic studies, hear student success stories and outcomes from engaging in information studies research, and discover pathways to find relevant research projects in the Libraries and School of Information Studies.
Information Studies Research Areas
Purdue undergraduate researchers have completed many research projects that explore information and data issues and society. Below are some topical research areas available to students seeking research opportunities and some examples of real undergrad research projects:
How To Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved in information studies research. Explore the options below to find the path that best fits your interests and goals.
Search OUR Connect
Explore OUR Connect, Purdue’s central hub for finding research projects. Find Information Studies projects in the Libraries and Info Studies section.
Explore Faculty Mentors by Specialization
Our faculty apply information science theories and practices to subject areas. Explore our list of faculty mentors that work closely with your academic major, and reach out to learn more about opportunities! We’re friendly!
Build On Your Course Experiences
Our minor in Information Studies offers opportunities to work closely with faculty on research. Talk with your instructor about getting involved in their research, or explore ways to turn a class project into an original research project. Faculty may also be able to support this work as an OUR Scholars project or independent study.
Take Our Research-Based Courses:
Explore opportunities to get involved in information studies research—from faculty projects and independent studies to hands-on research programs.
Student Experiences
Celebrating Information Studies Researchers
Twenty-five undergraduate students presented information studies research projects at the annual Purdue Undergrad Research Conference.
Read more about the variety of research topics and this year’s winners.
Need Help or Resources?
Have questions about undergraduate research in the Libraries and School of Information Studies, or need help finding an opportunity? Contact Rachel Fundator or explore these Purdue undergraduate research resources: