Why conduct research?
Research allows you to acquire valuable technical skills and to interact more closely with faculty and graduate students engaged in cutting edge research. Through research, you gain an understanding of what field of study you are most interested and how the scientific process truly works.
Choosing a faculty advisor
Read about faculty on their websites, speak to them after a class, or read a paper they have published. Also, talk to other undergraduate and graduate students in the department about what research is being conducting by the research groups. However, working in any research lab will increase your skill set and knowledge of the scientific process, so keep an open mind and willingness to learn.
Getting lab experience early
Some labs take volunteers early in their college careers. Generally, students who start out in a lab early will gain in the skills and in the responsibilities of the work they are conducting in the lab. Thus, starting early may allow students time to become valuable members of a lab. Other labs prefer students to be further in their careers and have gained lab skills via lab classes.
Available funding
PSU offers funding opportunities for undergraduate researchers and there are outside funding opportunities as well. Learning to write research proposals is a valuable skill. Your faculty advisor can help you pursue independent funding if you both decide you have a good research idea that your adviser can oversee.