Arab Educational Information Network

Research activity and output is increasingly seen as a mark of excellence. Emerging education sectors often struggle to compete on this stage due to lack of experience or awareness of the process. Student research is an oft under-explored area of this debate and one that requires further attention an analysis. This paper uses a mixed methods approach and an ethnographic case study of two private universities in Dubai, in order to explore the experiences and challenges university students face when conducting research. Set against the backdrop of research output and rankings, this paper addresses key questions and proposes institutional responses to support student engagement, understanding and output. (Published abstract)