Research Opportunities
Click here for Fall and Spring Research Opportunities
What is the research assistant program?
The Research Assistant program is an educational opportunity that enables undergraduate students to take part in the scientific study of psychology.
By working closely with a department faculty member, students are able to:
- Gain valuable "real world" experience
- Apply classroom theory to current research topics
- Develop a better understanding of the scientific method and how it is applied to the investigation of psychological subject matter.
- Possibly present at a regional psychology conference or become a published co-author when a project is completed.
What are the prerequisites for becoming a research assistant?
Completion of Psyc 111 (Intro to Psychology) and a desire to learn more about the science of psychology. There are no other restrictions. Many students begin working as Research Assistants their first or second year.
How do I start?
Dr. Jim Antes
(777-3882 or james.antes@und.nodak.edu)
Dr. Antes' research interests are in the area of social conflict and conflict resolution. He is currently engaging in research projects addressing the following two questions:
A. How do people understand their own behavior in conflict?
B. What factors limit our ability to view someone else's perspective in a conflict? What are the implications for mediation practice?
Dr. April Bradley (777-3790 or april.bradley@und.nodak.edu)
Dr. Bradley’s lab is accepting both graduate and undergraduate students. Dr. Bradley’s lab focuses on child forensics and sexual deviance. Research projects include children’s memory and child forensic interviewing, development of measures for child custody evaluations, treatment of childhood trauma, effects of childhood trauma, sex offender risk assessment, perceptions of blame for victims and perpetrators of sexual offenses, sexual assault prevention, and juvenile competency to stand trial.
Dr. Adam Derenne (777-4215 or adam.derenne@und.nodak.edu)
Dr. Derenne studies environment-behavior interactions using both human and animal models of behavior. Current areas of interest include the basic behavioral processes underlying the development of self control, the tendency to procrastinate, and the cognitive distortions accompanying Anorexia Nervosa. Recent research is also examining how learning and memory are affected by exposure to pesticides and neurodegenerative disorders. Additional information can be found at: http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/aderenne/
Dr. Ric Ferraro (777-2414 or f_ferraro@und.nodak.edu)
Professor Ferraro is currently doing research in the following areas: Cognitive Aging, Neuropsychology, Eating Disorders, Anxiety and Emotion, Cross-cultural issues and inhibition. Lab is open year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall). If interested in research (Psyc 492) and/or Honors Thesis (Psyc 489), please get in touch.
Dr. Jeffrey Holm (777-3792)
Health Promotion, Health Psychology, Behavior Medicine - Research topics related to behavior and health including tobacco use in youth, weight loss and obesity, sexual desire, arousal, and behavior, and chronic pain.
Dr. Alan King (777-3644)
Dr. King's students are conducting several studies on the effects of acute alcohol intoxication, physical abuse history, and personality features on laboratory induced aggression responses. The effects of oral contraceptives on alcohol elimination is also being examined in the bar lab. Research assistants may be needed for the Fall semester for one day a week from 4:00 to 7:00 PM to assist in an alcohol study.
Dr. Doug McDonald (777-4495)
The McDonald/INPSYDE team focuses primarily on the relationship between cultural identity and adaptive functioning.
Dr. Joe Miller (777-4472)
Dr. Miller is currently conducting research to develop new assessments relating to cognitive/achievement testing of visually impaired individuals. Research assistants in his lab would become exposed to tests used by psychologists when testing out in the community. Research assistants will also have the opportunity to present research at conferences and participate in the development of future projects through weekly lab meetings.
Dr. Doug Peters (777-3648 or douglas_peters@und.nodak.edu)
Dr. Peters studies variables that affect the child witness, e.g., stress and arousal, and jury decision making. He is currently studying interview methods to use with children that could produce more honest and credible testimony. He is also interested in procedures used to detect deception by law enforcement at border crossings, e.g., U.S. Customs check points.
Dr. Karyn Plumm (karyn.plumm@und.nodak.edu)
Dr. Plumm studies attributions of blame and responsibility in scenarios of violent crime (e.g., hate crime, stalking).
Dr. Tom Petros (777-3260)
Effects on Memory of Nicotine, Alcohol, Ginkgo Biloba, Depression, Time of Day and ADHD.
Dr. Joelle Ruthig (777-3533 or joelle.ruthig@und.nodak.edu)
Dr. Ruthig studies the role of social cognition in achievement and health across the adult lifespan. Currently, she is conducting research on how factors such as perceived control and optimism among college students relate to their academic performance, physical health, and psychological well-being. Research assistants will gain experience with data collection and analyses, and have the opportunity to collaborate on research projects and professional presentations of research findings.
Dr. Cheryl Terrance (777-3921)
Dr. Terrance is currently conducting research in the following areas: perceptions and attitudes towards violence within same-sex partnerships, and examination of ways in which the battered woman stereotype may be undermined within the courtroom.
Dr. Jeff Weatherly (777-3470 or jeffrey_weatherly@und.nodak.edu)
Dr. Weatherly is searching for undergraduate research assistants for his two lines of research. First, he is conducting experiments on gambling behavior. Research assistants are required to help with IRB submission, recruitment of participants, running of participants, data analysis, and writing of the results. Second, he continues to conduct animal research on the basic processes of learning. Research assistants are required to record data, handle the animal subjects, and help analyze results. Assistants for both lines of research are required in Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Dr. Richard Wise (777-2420 or richard.wise@und.nodak.edu)
Dr. Wise does research on psychological-legal issues. He is currently doing research in the following areas: (1) How to educate attorneys and judges about eyewitness testimony; (2) What the police and jurors know about eyewitness testimony; (3) How Chinese judges’ knowledge of eyewitness testimony compares to U.S. judges’ knowledge; and (4) How to improve jurors’ comprehension of expert testimony.
Research Funding Opportunities for Undergraduates
AURA - Advanced Undergraduate Research Awards Program
North Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (ND EPSCoR) is pleased to announce the 2004 Advanced Undergraduate Research Awards (AURA) program.
AURA provides undergraduate students the opportunity to particiapte in faculty-mentored research projects at the two research campuses - the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University.
The goal of AURA is to encourage undergraduates students to consider a career in Science, Engeneering, or Mathematics research. ND EPSCoR highly recommends the applicants contact and discuss their interest(s) with the professor(s) listed as mentors.
Senior Thesis Opportunities
Psychology students who meet the eligibility requirements may conduct a senior honors thesis.
For an overview of the thesis process and the eligibility requirements, follow the link below.
If you are interested in finding out more you are encouraged to speak with your advisor. http://www.und.edu/dept/honors/thesis.html
Other Research Opportuities
Psychology and Law Undergraduate Research Experience at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln
National Science Foundation Summer Research Institute in Experimental Psychology at the University of South Carolina
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