RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Hands-On Research
Our students gain hands-on research experience, working directly with our renowned faculty in areas including animal learning, cognitive development, social psychology and more.
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Most of your professors have active research labs where they collect and analyze data to answer a variety of research questions. Part of what makes research run smoothly is teamwork, including undergraduate research assistants.聽
This introduction will explain what an undergrad RA is, provide example tasks, and describe what you can gain from being a research assistant.
What is an undergraduate research assistant (RA)?
Research assistants work in our labs to help out with a variety of tasks that are necessary for doing psychological science (see examples below). Research projects or studies are highly collaborative efforts; there鈥檚 too much for any individual to do by themselves. So, faculty members rely on help from RAs to keep research studies moving forward.聽
When should I get involved in research?
As early as possible, for several reasons:
You鈥檒l have the time to learn more skills and make a more substantial contribution to the lab
You could get experience in more than one lab, or change labs if the first one you join isn鈥檛 a good fit for you聽
You鈥檒l have the opportunity to do research for credit to or to complete an independent project (e.g., VURF, honors thesis), since most faculty require students to have worked in the lab for some time before sponsoring research for credit or for one of these programs
What kinds of tasks will I do as a research assistant?
Below are some examples of tasks you may engage in as an RA. Note that for most labs, you will be receiving training on how to effectively complete these tasks 鈥� it is OK if you do not already know how to do them, but you should be willing to learn.
Literature reviews: finding relevant journal articles on a topic, reading them, and making summaries/discussion questions.聽
Entering data: recording what participants said or did during a testing session.
Coding data: taking participants鈥� responses and transcribing them and/or categorizing them.
Cleaning/analyzing data: checking entered data, making summary variables (e.g., taking an average of several responses), running statistical tests on collected data.
Stimulus development: making or choosing stimuli (pictures, stories, etc.) to be presented to participants.聽
Testing participants: engaging in in-person or online testing sessions with human subjects.
Study design: working with the faculty member and other students to discuss how a new study should look (e.g., which variables to manipulate, how to measure participants鈥� responses).
Lab meetings: attend regular meetings with other RAs and graduate students to review current projects, discuss relevant papers, make plans for conferences, and so on.
How do I find a lab to join?
Use this link to see a description of all of the faculty labs.
Review this spreadsheet to see which faculty are currently recruiting RAs for their lab or welcoming new attendees to their lab meetings: . Follow the instructions in the 鈥淗ow to Apply鈥� column for the lab(s) you would like to join that are currently recruiting.
Note that many students contact multiple labs when seeking research opportunities 鈥� this is completely fine. You can even try out a few labs by attending their lab meetings or chatting with faculty members before deciding which to join.
How can I be a strong RA applicant?
First and foremost, you should have a clear interest in the research questions being investigated in the lab you鈥檙e trying to join. Make sure that you do your homework and read up about the lab鈥檚 research focus (on the Psychology department website and/or the lab鈥檚 own website). It鈥檚 a good idea to read a recent publication from the faculty member before applying. You should also follow any instructions in the before contacting the faculty member or filling out an application.
You should also be prepared to demonstrate that you are responsible, can work independently, have good attention to detail, and can work well as a member of a team.
Doing well in your psychology classes will also help, especially if the content of those classes is specifically related to the faculty member鈥檚 research area.
Note that the specific skills and experiences that faculty researchers are looking for when recruiting RAs may vary. For example, some labs that do work with children or with non-human animals may be looking for RAs who already have experience with these populations. Be sure to emphasize any relevant skills in your application or initial conversation with the faculty member.
Research for Course Credit
RAs positions typically start as volunteer positions; you will work out the hours and tasks with the lab鈥檚 faculty director.
To get credit for lab work, there are two main options:
The 1-credit option (PSY2150, CGS2700) usually involves RAs getting credit for doing typical lab tasks.
The 3-credit option (PSY5900, CGS5950, CBN5900) requires more independent research and an output at the end, usually an APA-style paper.
The forms that you need to fill out to complete any of these options can be found on SharePoint (psych and CBN forms ; CogSci forms ).
The CBN program also has a thesis option, which is a full year commitment and should involve a more intensive research experience than the one-semester option. Students will register for CBN6001 and then CBN6002 and should produce a paper at the end of this process.
Please check the research lab spreadsheet to see which options are available in each lab and what the pre-requisites are for each type of credit.
Paid research opportunities in psychology
First-year match program. Opportunity for first-year students to participate in ongoing faculty research project(s) (10hrs/week for 10 weeks) in the spring of their first year ($1,000 stipend). Follow the link and click on the 鈥渟cience鈥� tab to see which psychology faculty are looking for first-year undergraduates to help with their research projects. Due towards the middle of the fall semester.
. Opportunity for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to participate in ongoing faculty research project(s) over the summer (25hrs/week for 6 weeks). VSSA students receive a $400/week stipend plus free room and board on campus if needed. Click on the link and navigate to 鈥淧rojects in the department of psychological and brain sciences (PBS)鈥� to see which psychology faculty are recruiting VSSA students. Due towards the middle of the spring semester.
无码专区 Undergraduate Research Fellowship (VURF). Opportunity for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to complete an independent research project, mentored by a faculty member, over the summer (10 weeks). Students must develop a research proposal approved by a faculty member. This means students should reach out to the faculty member they would like to work with as early as possible, ideally before winter break. The VURF makes the most sense for students who have already volunteered in a research lab, so they have the foundation to develop their own project. Get started by reaching out to the faculty member you would like to work with to see if they are open to supporting your VURF application and summer mentorship. VURF fellows receive a $3,500 stipend plus free room and board on campus if needed. Due March 1.
Financial support to present research at conferences
Conference Travel Grant 鈥� Center for Research & Fellowships. Up to $500 to support travel and registration fees for undergraduate students to present their research at conferences. Note: you must provide documentation that your research has been accepted for presentation at a conference to apply. Rolling deadline.
Up to $2,500 to support student participation in conferences, professional memberships, job fairs, networking events, and more. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis during Fall semester and Spring semester application periods.
Student Honors Society: Psi Chi
is the National Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology, open to undergraduate and graduate students. Each spring, qualified students receive an invitation to join 无码专区's Chapter of Psi Chi and are inducted during the annual banquet.
College and University Resources
In addition to resources and opportunities through the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department, 无码专区 provides support to undergraduate students in all aspects of their collegiate experience and beyond through the centralized services of the Office for Undergraduate Students, Office of Education Abroad and Career Center.
