Involvement in faculty research is beneficial to students in a number of ways:

1. Provides an opportunity to better understand the field of Psychology & the way in which knowledge is acquired.
2. Enables the student to see what an academic-research career is like.
3. Allows a chance to see if research is enjoyable, which is important in deciding if a research based graduate program is the right choice for them.
4. Provides an opportunity to meet other dedicated students, which is the beginning of  a networking system in academia.
5. Permits the student to know at least one faculty member in greater depth, which could result in personal advising and support regarding the graduate school application process.
6. Continuing involvement in research with a faculty member could lead to joint authorship on publications and conference presentations, adding to your background experience as an undergraduate student.
7. May lead to independent study units (PSY 499) or possibly a small stipend.
    

Faculty who frequently conduct research with students were asked the following questions:

1) What background would you like a student to have?

Academic qualifications

Minimum:

• Completion of Psy 200
• Completion of Psy 110

Preferred:

• Completion of Psy 310

• Several upper division Psychology courses
• At least one upper division course in faculty research area
• Computer skills

Ideal:

• All of the above
• plus Psy 411 and/or 412.

Personal Qualifications

• Enthusiasm
• Reliability
• Punctuality
• Honesty

2) How much time should a student expect to work?

Minimum= Two to three hours per week.

Average= Five hours per week.

*Blocks of time are preferred.

3) What tasks or activities would a student perform?

Most often:

• Data collection
• data encoding
• data analysis
• literature reviews
• animal care
• computer data entry
• interviewing
• running subjects
• running statistical programs.

With extensive involvement:

• Interpret data
• help plan research
• co-author paper.

4) How should a student approach a faculty member?

Fill out application available in the mail department office and turn it in directly to the faculty member during their office hours.
 

Special Notes:

        Though faculty members benefit from having students help them in their research, they view such a relationship as
        a commitment & a responsibility.  Thus they are generally not willing to accept just any student who approaches them.

        Many faculty are quite busy and/or popular.  Do not be upset if you cannot be accommodated.  Often schedules and
        needs are incompatible.  The further in advance you apply, the more likely you are to be successful.

        A number of faculty prefer working with students who have been in their classes, so it is best to ask faculty members
        who know you and your abilities.

        As one faculty member succinctly stated: "Students should expect to get as much out of this as they are willing to
        put in."

  Student Research Opportunities | Summer Research Opportunities | Research Competition
 

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