Psychology students have the opportunity to take part in various research opportunities.
What are the benefits of doing student research?
The importance of research experience may seem most obvious for those students planning to pursue a graduate degree in psychology or to enter a research-oriented occupation (e.g., working in a business, university, or government agency). However, even for those students who are not planning to attend graduate school or to work in a research setting, the benefits of doing research are extensive, including the following:
- learning how to use scientific methods
- acquiring a deeper understanding of an area in psychology
- development of critical thinking and analysis skills
- strengthening problem solving skills
- becoming a better scientific writer
- helping students to achieve a better understanding of their desired career path
- developing relationships with professionals in the field
Professional Presentation Experience
Students who conduct research can also gain experience in presenting their findings at professional venues, such as the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) annual conference, at the Psychology Department Biannual Research Forum, or at the annual ESU Student Research and Creative Activity Symposium. Professional presentation experience can enhance communication skills, assist with professional development, build career skills, and provide networking opportunities.
Each semester, the Psychology Department holds the Biannual Research Forum as a way to celebrate students' research accomplishments.
The Psychology Department Biannual Research Forum was started over twenty-five years ago by Dr. Sussie Eshun, professor of psychology, and Dr. Richard Wesp, retired distinguished professor of psychology, as a venue to showcase the outstanding student research being done in the Psychology Department. It has steadily grown since its inception and now includes numerous research and internship posters, student research presentations, student award presentations, and honor society inductions. The encouragement and recognition of student research are central aspects of the Research Forum.
What happens during the Research Forum?
At the Research Forum, selected student researchers give oral presentations discussing their recent empirical research projects. These presentations are similar to those that would be given at a professional conference, in that the students provide detailed accounts of their hypotheses, research methods, data analysis, and conclusions. During the Forum, the celebration of student excellence also includes the presentation of various awards and honors, including the John Kramer Science Award, the John Kramer Service Award, the Drago Family Scholarship Award, and student inductions into Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology. In addition to the oral student presentations, there is also a research poster session in which students present studies conducted in various research-oriented psychology courses and an internship poster session in which students who recently completed their internships present information about their internship placements and experiences.
When and where is the Research Forum held?
The Research Forum is typically held on Tuesday of the last regular week of each semester. It usually begins at 2 p.m. in Beers Lecture Hall.
After the research presentations, award presentations, and honor society inductions conclude, everyone then reconvenes in the first floor Stroud hallway and in Rooms 116 and 118 for the research and internship poster sessions and announcement of the John Kramer Science Award.
FAQ: How to get involved with research
Students can learn about the various research opportunities offered in the department by contacting psychology faculty members. For a listing of research interests of the faculty members, check out the faculty page. You could try to find a professor doing research in an area of interest to you; however, you do not have to limit yourself to only those professors doing research in your area of interest. Any research experience will be valuable, regardless of the topic.
Once students have found a faculty member to serve as their research advisor, they will be registered for the research credits by the faculty research advisor.
You can, but it's not necessary. There are two different routes that a student can take when it comes to getting research experience.
The first is when a student works on a professor's line of research. In this capacity, the student does not come up with their own study idea, but rather serves as a research assistant for the professor, helping them to carry out various phases of the research project, such as survey development, data collection and entry, statistical analysis, and/or manuscript preparation. Students in this capacity may also be able to serve as a co-author on a conference poster or presentation, depending on their contribution to the project.
The second route is when a student comes up with their own study idea and then works with a professor to conduct a study to test their hypothesis. In this capacity, the student is the one who conceptualizes the research study, and the professor then serves as a guide to help the student carry out the study. The student is responsible for most aspects of the research, including hypothesis development, survey development, data collection and entry, statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation. Students, in this capacity, may also be able to submit their projects (depending on results) as a conference poster or presentation.
Students can earn 3 credits (or 6 credits over two semesters) for PSY 409: Research in Psychology and up to 12 total credits of PSY 485: Independent Study. Students can do research for more than one semester as long as they stay within these credit limits. Instructor permission is required for the registration of research credits. Keep in mind that students in the research concentration are required to complete at least 3 credits of PSY 409 as part of their degree requirements.
Student Presentations at Eastern Psychology Association
*Jones, L., Chang, J., *Colon, J., *Principle, V., *Merchant, N., *Peterson, D., & *Goldmas, J. (2025, March). Analysis of practice tests for the psychopharmacology exam for psychologists.
*Principe, V., Chang, J., *Merchant, N., *Colon, J., & *Jones, L. (2025, March). The comparative analysis of hypercompetitiveness and compassion between college athletes and students.
*Sampson, I., & Green, B. (2025, March). The importance of ambiguity: Fostering cognitive growth and development.
*Fleitman, A., *Wilhelm, C., *Markawicz Weaver, N., & *Weber, T. (2024, March). Mental health access and its affect on graduation rates between genders.
*Principe, V., Chang, J., *Staples, K., & *Colon, J. (2024, March). The comparison of compassion scores and hypercompetitiveness scores in college athletes.
*Staples, K., Chang, J., *Principe, V., *Guarino, M., & *Nagy, E. (2024, March). The relationship between compassion, anxiety, and depression in undergraduate students.
*Colon, J., *Staples, K., Chang, J., & *Tressler, A. (2023, March). An evaluation of the factors which contribute to overall quality of life.
*Parmer, E., *Contino, I., Chang, J., & *Tressler, A. (2023, March). Determining how paralyzed individuals cope, view professionals, and interact in their relationships.
*Staples, K., Chang, J., *Parmer, E., & *Washington, K. (2023, March). The correlations between compassion, anxiety, and depression.
*Cannizzaro, S. (2022, March). Awareness about domestic violence and traumatic brain injury among college students.
Khusid, I., *Achey, T., *Anglovich, G., *Jackson, M., *Pembleton, B., & *Rivera, H. (2022, March). Through the digital looking glass: The effects of social media on depression.
*O'Donnell, C., & Khusid, I. (2022, March). The impact of innovation and motivation among college students.
*Tressler, A., Chang, J., *Staples, K., & *Guarino, M. (2022, March). The prevalence and demographic correlates of compassion scores.
*Zimmerman, K., & Khusid, I. (2022, March). The effects of mindfulness practice on depression, anxiety, and stress.
Contact Us
Campus Address
Stroud Hall 114
(570) 422-3355
Department Chair, Psychology
Dr. Anthony Drago
tdrago@esu.edu
(570) 422-3499
