We are looking for two undergraduate research students to analyse survey data from introductory data science courses (offered at Brown University, Smith College, and Valparaiso University) using text mining, machine learning, and statistical analyses. The research students will conduct typical text-mining activities such as scrapping data, cleaning, and processing using natural language processing techniques. The results are expected to influence the design and instruction of data science courses.

Each student will receive a stipend of $4,000 for their participation in the program. Travel expenses up to $500 to Valparaiso will be covered. Housing will be provided by Valparaiso University. We also anticipate supporting student travel to conferences to present the outcomes of the REU research (either over the summer or later in the year). Students will participate in a number of social and research-related activities with other research students on campus.

Eligibility: Only US citizens or permanent residents are eligible for funding. Participants must be undergraduate students at the time of participation.

Preference will be given to students with experience in: Programming (preferably Python, though R or other languages acceptable) Introductory Statistics (or more)

Beneficial (but not required): Experience/Course Work in Machine Learning (especially natural language processing)