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ResearchUTA's Department of Psychology is heavily research oriented. This is an advantage to all psychology majors. Even if you are not interested in doing research as a career, research will give you the chance to work with faculty to earn recommendations and gain experience in the science and methods of psychology. (Some research classes can also be substituted for required psychology courses. See advisor for details.) Research will help you get into graduate schools because you are demonstrating your ability to contribute to their programs and demonstrating your dedication to your field. This is true even for clinical and counseling programs which are founded on scientific principles by their nature. Research can help you do your small part towards contributing to our beloved field of psychology which keeps it growing and supported by evidence. Psi Chi is emphatically dedicated to supporting student research. We hope you get an opportunity to present at our annual convention. Research OpportunitiesThere are many research studies and labs at UTA. One place to start looking is the Psychology Faculty page and Psi Chi's research opportunities page. By clicking on the names on either page, you can find the types of research they do and some representative articles. You can also search psychology database to find more publications. Our experience at UTA has been that as you gain experience working in a lab, your ideas on designs and research directions to follow will be welcomed and encouraged. Most labs have group meetings attended by the faculty sponsor, graduate students and your fellow undergraduate research assistants specifically for the purpose of exchanging ideas. You should contact the professor as ask if they are looking for help. Some professors may require that you take particular classes before working in their lab. There may also be research or volunteer opportunities at institutions other than UTA, for example, at UT Southwestern or the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth. You may or may not get credit at UTA, but the experience will be valuable and will help you get letters of recommendation. If you don't know what area of psychology you are interested in, or what research is being done in the field, try a web or PsycInfo search. Where to present your research:Conventions: UTA Psi Chi and the Psychology Society sponsor the Annual UTA Psychology Convention. The National Psi Chi provides opportunities for students to present their research at national and regional conventions. The national opportunities coincide with the conventions of our affiliates, the APA and the APS. See the national Psi Chi's convention and calendar pages. UTA is in the Southwestern Region. Psi Chi at Texas Christian University typically sponsors a convention of local Psi Chi chapters featuring undergraduate research and research lab presentations. Inquire in 324 Life Science. UTA Psychology groups will be glad to help you apply to student government or the National Psi Chi to help you with expenses. The UTA Psychology Department will occasionally help you as well. We might also help you out of our budget if we have enough funds. Even if you are not presenting, going to these conventions may give you ideas about how to do your own research in the future. Publications: Your research may be published in a journal with your faculty sponsor or their graduate student(s) as an author, listing you as an author, co-author or simply noted as a contributor. Psi Chi also publishes a journal specifically for student research for which you may be eligible to be recognized as the first or only author, the Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research. For more specific information visit the Psi Chi publications page. There are other journals which specifically publish undergraduate research. One is Modern Psychological Studies. ACES - Formerly called the Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, ACES - Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students at UTA also provides an excellent opportunity for presenting student research. The symposium is usually in the Spring after our convention. Grants and PrizesResearch is often rewarded by small grants and prizes which are a recognition of the value of your work and your skills as a student. The national Psi Chi has many such awards. Other student conventions have award prizes. Try an internet search. Psi Chi members: Psi Chi offers several grants and prizes. See the national Psi Chi Award and Grants page. Also see the undergraduate awards page. Additionally, there are regional awards. UTA is in the Southwestern Region. For scholarships, try these internet sites for
various types of funding opportunities: UTA students can also try:
Scholarships
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