Peer Review

Finding a Research Mentor or Project

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: May 18, 2026 by Library and Information Services

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This self-paced tutorial assists students with finding a mentor or research project.

Type of Material:

Tutorial

Recommended Uses:

Self-pace guide for college students. Academic advisors and faculty members can assign this tutorial without having to know the intricacies of the content. Note: It has been developed for UCLA students although the information is available to the public.

Technical Requirements:

Browser. Tested in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, and iPhone.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Learners will be able to:

Identify your research interests
Identify potential mentors and research projects
Create a list of potential mentors and research projects
Identify paid research opportunities.

Target Student Population:

College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Students must understand the research process and feel comfortable contacting and working under the direction of faculty.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: This tutorial was easy to follow and provides learners with information that directly connects them to opportunities based on their personal research interests and faculty conducting related research. The information is clear and comprehensive, and after viewing the tutorial, learners have a strong starting point for identifying opportunities to partner with faculty and other researchers. It is self-paced, self-contained, and can be used without prior knowledge of the context.
Concerns:: Although the site states that all their workshops and activities are open to access and freely available, most of the content is geared toward UCLA students.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The learning goals were clearly identified, and the materials, including embedded videos and links, promote critical thinking. The learning method and materials appeal to multiple learning styles by offering closed-captioning, making it accessible to a wide audience. Additionally, the tutorial promotes opportunities to quickly connect with faculty and research, making it both practical and relevant. However, it is important to note that this tutorial was designed for individual use and may not be as effective in a group setting, such as a classroom presentation.

Concerns:

None.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: This tutorial is simple to understand, user-friendly, and interactive. It was beneficial to have various learners present the subject matter, which added variety and depth. The tutorial also includes definitions for acronyms when needed, making it more accessible. Progressing through the slides and content is easy, and the interactive quizzes are straightforward to answer. Each slide provides assistance and feedback through the "I am confused" button, helping users when they need clarification. Additionally, the site offers students a space to reflect and brainstorm potential mentors or research projects, as well as related resources to further their learning.
Concerns:: Some of the links in the tutorial referred the learner to other tutorials for additional information. Instead, it might be prudent to answer the information succinctly and directly as navigating to another tutorial opens up the possibility of navigating in another direction than originally intended.

Other Issues and Comments:: Overall, the site is informative for those seeking a mentor or research project at UCLA, so it may be of limited use to those outside of UCLA.
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