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There are two ways that a student in the Psychology Department
can participate in research. A student can:
- assist in a professor's research project (research
assistant) or
- develop an independent student research project.
The decision on which direction to choose is a combination of
the students experience, previous course work, abilities and motivation. All
students must be connected with a faculty supervisor and must have begun the
research before signing up for research credit. Students are limited by
departmental policy to receive a maximum of six credits for research. It is
important to realize that a research project will usually require more than two
semesters to complete.
Who Should Participate in Research?
Any student who is seriously considering a doctoral program
should participate in research. Graduate schools and especially doctoral
programs are highly competitive and many assume that students have engaged in
research. However, grades and GRE scores are more important than research
experience. Therefore, students should consider their time commitments and make
sure that research will be most beneficial to their goals. It is strongly
suggested that students have a 3.0 GPA or higher before considering a research
commitment. If your GPA is below 3.0 your time will probably be better spent
trying to raise your grades or studying for the GRE.
How to be a Research Assistant
Research positions on the undergraduate level are unpaid. A
research assistant is a student who aids a faculty member in the collection and
analysis of data on a project that has been designed and implemented by the
faculty member. Each professor prescribes the extent of participation they
require from students. This work may span from typing in data to assisting in
the design or implementation of the research.
What are the Prerequisites?
Required:
- Permission from the faculty supervisor
- Intro to Psychology Course
- Other criteria to be determined by the faculty supervisor
Suggested:
- A faculty supervisor who is doing research in an area that
interests you
- A psychology course on the topic of the research
- Stats I&II (PSY245 and 246)
- Competence with computer applications
How do I Get Started?
Most professors who are involved in research are inundated
with students each semester who want to participate in their research. It is
advisable to contact professors at least one semester and preferably one year
before you want to do research. Choose a professor who is doing research that
interests you and be willing to be flexible with times and duties that you are
willing to perform. Begin reading the professors previous publications (and
other related papers) prior to beginning your actual duties.
How do I Find a Professor to Work With?
The department has a list of faculty and their research
interests. In addition, the bulletin board in the Psychology Department exhibits
some representative recent publications by psychology professors. Once you think
you know who you would like to work with, speak to that professor directly. Each
professor may have a different concept of what a student assistant would or
should accomplish.
What Will I Be Doing?
It is common to begin research at an entry level and to build
from experience to "bigger and better things". Be prepared to work with a
professor for at least one year, it is necessary to develop a working
relationship and it takes time to learn the many facets of the research process.
At first you will probably be acquiring participants, collecting data and
sitting in on research meetings with your faculty supervisor and his or her
other research assistants. You may also become involved in the statistical
analysis of the data.
How to do Independent Student Research
Independent student research is defined as a student
developed, designed, implemented and analyzed scientific investigation into
behavior. Many competitive graduate school programs are looking for applicants
who have participated in this kind of research. Students who are considering
graduate school should consider this challenging yet rewarding experience. Very
often, a student starts out as a Research Assistant and then is encouraged to
develop a related individual project of his/her own
What are the Prerequisites?
It is necessary to have a faculty supervisor for any student
research. The following are divided into required or suggested prerequisites:
Required:
- A faculty supervisor
- Intro to Psychology Course
- Statistics I and II (PSY245 and 246)
- Computer competence
Suggested:
- A faculty supervisor who is doing research in your topic
area
- A psychology course on your topic
- Experience as a research assistant
How do I Get Started?
The first thing you need is a faculty supervisor who will help
you plan and develop your project. It will be necessary to plan for at least 1
1/2 years to complete most projects.
- do an extensive literature review on your topic
- Develop the project
- Obtain permission
- Get funding
- Obtain a research space and participants
- Analyze results
- Display or publish results
How do I do a Literature Review?
The university library has a Psychology Literature (PSYCH LIT)
search on computer. Journals not contained in our library can often be borrowed
through inter-library loan.
How do I Develop the Project?
Students will need different amounts of assistance depending
on previous course work and experience. Choose your topic carefully and a
literature review may help you find an area of specific interest. Your faculty
supervisor can help you locate or obtain permission to use already developed
psychology tests, tasks, instruments, or questionnaires.
How do I Get Permission?
Permission is granted to students through the Psychology
Department's research committee. Forms are available from the department
chairperson. Included in the information for approval you will need :
- An informed consent form
- A full copy of all forms, surveys or tests that will be
administered
- A full description of your research including everything
you will say to the participants
- A debriefing statement
- A time schedule with the number of participant that you
hope to attain
How do I Get Funding?
Funding is currently available in two ways. Each grant has
specific criteria and deadlines. Grants often require the recipient to report
the results at the end of the project. Follow the instructions carefully.
- A $200 grant and application forms are available through
the office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
- A $500 grant and application forms are available through
the Office of Graduate Studies and Sponsored Research in the Old Library.
How do I Get Research Space and Participants?
Your faculty supervisor will need to help you reserve space at
the university. This is done through a computerized room reservation system.
Once the rooms are reserved you may recruit participants through the subject
pool. The subject pool consists of first year psychology students. All approved
research can utilize the subject pool. You must develop a sign-up sheet and
place it in the hallway of the Psychology Department and give a list of times
and dates to the Psychology Department secretary. The sign-up sheet must
include:
- Title of the project
- Short description of the project
- Time and Date of the project
- Location
- An emergency Name and Phone Number
- A tear off reminder for the participants
How do I Analyze my Results?
Actually, you should know how you will statistically analyze
your results before you run your study. this is part of the planning process.
Assuming that you and your faculty advisor have already discussed and planned
the statistical analysis, you can use the resources of the Academic Computing
Center (ACC) for the analysis itself. The ACC in Anderson Hall is equipped with
SPSS and other statistical programs.
What do I do with my Results?
There are several options for undergraduates to display their
research and results. On campus there is a biannual Academic Festival. Off
campus there are numerous Psychological Conferences that welcome student
submissions. Your faculty supervisor may be able to assist you in finding and
choosing an appropriate conference. You may submit:
- A poster presentation
- A paper presentation
Research may also be submitted to professional journals for
consideration. Journals published by the American Psychological Association (APA)
require all submissions to be in APA format. The APA publishes a manual which
contains all pertinent requirements. However, there are many other journals
which may or may not use APA style. The "instructions for contributors" are
usually printed inside each volume of the journal. If your results are good
enough for publication you will almost certainly need close collaboration with
your advisor to whip the manuscript into shape. Scientific writing is a skill
that requires some experience.
Conclusion
Both a research assistantship and independent student research
will require work and commitment. The results will make you more competitive for
graduate school admissions and will enable you to perform quality research when
you get there. Good Luck!!
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