PSYC Student Handbook
Information and Resources for Westminster PSYC Students
Independent Research Thesis PSYC 430
A 400-level Seminar
Three options satisfy senior year requirements: A 400-level Seminar on a Specific Topic, Independent Research Thesis, or Community Placement Thesis. A Recorded Lecture explains options for the senior year and additional options for gaining hands-on experience for current psychology students. (Note: lecture audio starts as soon as you click on it.)
Most seniors will take one 400-level seminar that includes a significant paper assignment for which we use a shared rubric based on qualities of an assignment appropriate for senior year.
This is supervised empirical research leading to a journal quality paper. Students, in collaboration with a faculty supervisor, design a project, prepare an IRB as necessary, collect and analyze data, and write up a paper in a manner appropriate for a peer-reviewed journal. Examples of such research articles can be found in the Journal of Social Issues, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, and Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Students choosing this option are required to present a poster of their research during the second semester of their project.
This is a project completed in the community under the direct supervision of a Westminster faculty member. In addition to 135 hours of service completed at a community agency, the project results in a final theoretical paper integrating onsite experience with an extensive literature review. Students should consider this option if they are willing and able to complete a highly independent year-long thesis project based on the community placement experience.
Community Placement Thesis
PSYC 431
Senior Year
Various Seminars.
2014-15: Love & Attachment, Pediatrics, History/Systems of Psychology, Methods of Counseling, Behavioral Endocrinology, and one more To Be Announced.
Preparation for Individual Thesis Projects: Empirical Research or Community Placement
Considerable preparation is required of all students who would like to apply to conduct an empirical research project or who would like to do a community placement. Outlined below are the necessary steps that extend over two years: the exploratory year and the project year. In the year prior to conducting their final project, students weigh their preference for the type of project they wish to complete, identify faculty with whom they would like to work, and, in collaboration with faculty, brainstorm potential project ideas.
Timeline:
First semester of Junior Year, or 4 semesters prior to graduation-
Make appointments with individual professors to discuss potential project options. Professors will outline to students prospective projects, opportunities, and limitations. As you speak to each of the professors, take specific notes about each project type and the description of the potential projects. You will need this information to complete the Senior Project Application. Failure to meet to discuss potential topics with professors will greatly limit a student’s opportunities regarding the final project. You can find a list of faculty interests on the Psychology Department webpage: http://www.westminstercollege.edu/apps/faculty/?dept=PSYC
Second semester of Junior year, or 3 semesters prior to graduation-
By February (for students beginning Senior Project in Fall of following year) or October (for students beginning Senior Project in Spring of following year), complete the Senior Project Application. Include preferences for professor and type of project. An application is considered pending if the student has not declared psychology as their major, as well as, if they have not completed, or are completing research methods.
The Psychology Department makes final decisions about Senior Projects, and will notify students of acceptance by the end of the semester via email.
End of second semester of Junior year-
Meet or email with your Senior Project advisor to discuss the plan for the first semester of your senior project.
Proposal
Proposals are required for the empirical research and community placement senior project options. By the time you submit a proposal, you should have previously discussed potential project types and descriptions with potential faculty supervisors. Choose which of the projects you will be doing, and then meet with the professor you would like to work with on one of the different project ideas.
Proposal Outline:
A. Description of the project: The 2-3 page description should provide the faculty supervisor with a reminder of the project you have previously discussed.
B. Empirical Project: Include the theoretical foundation for the project, key variables, and a concise but thorough description of proposed methodology. You need to explain how your project is related to the research of your supervisor of choice.
C. Community Placement: Note: Meet with professor(s) with whom you would like to work on this project before meeting with any representative of any community organization. In your proposal, include the name of the organization where you would like to be placed, a contact name of the person at your proposed organization, a brief description about what you would be doing onsite at the organization, and an explanation of your interest in this community placement that includes a connection to a faculty supervisor’s area of study.
D. For either project, include an explanation of how this project will help you work toward your future goals.