Research Lab Participation
LDRV 399/499
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Contribute to scientific exploration and discovery while cultivating your research acumen
Rather than specifying your own learning objectives and defining a project from top to bottom, you might prefer to participate in a research lab. Investing your effort and enthusiasm in research projects already underway is a great approach to furthering your professional development. This Independent Course Experience option will benefit you, the professional researchers you work with, and perpetuation of scientific progress.
We recommend this if your Future Goals include any of the following:
Applying to Graduate Schools
Increasing your depth of knowledge in a specific field of interest
Enhancing your business resume to reflect immersive experience in a relevant topic area
Caveat: Research Lab Participation falls within the LDRV 399/499 Independent Study course description. Lab participation can either be a standalone project or included as a facet of a larger Independent Study project.
Core Requirements
Approval from Faculty & Your Advisor
Course is completed with a full-time faculty member as Mentor/Supervisor.
Live Synchronized Sessions (Set individually with the supervising professor.)
45 hours of work per unit of credit, per semester. (1-3 unit options are available.)
All required elements are submitted via D2L
Course Goals
Course Goals
Note: These apply to all students, regardless of project. Individual projects may have additional goals.
Learn about human subjects and ethics in practical psychological research.
Improve critical reading of scholarly research articles on mentoring and leadership.
Learn how to code and analyze data (type depends on the project).
Develop an understanding of how to apply scholarly articles to real-world concerns.
Develop related skills in virtual teamwork and using technology to facilitate collaboration, particularly learn to work together to provide feedback to one another and make progress on research goals.
Course Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives will vary depending on the student's specific Lab Participation experience. However, at the end of the course, those who fully participate will likely be able to do several of the following:
Demonstrate knowledge of various research methodologies, including experimental design, data collection techniques, data analysis & interpretation
Critically evaluate and synthesize information to inform research
Effectively communicate research objectives, methodologies, results, and conclusions in a clear and concise manner
Work collaboratively within a research team and with colleagues in a research setting
Plan, set deadlines, and maintain progress on research objectives and timelines
Demonstrate enhanced understanding of responsible research conduct, protection of human subjects, and appropriate use of research data and resources
Undergraduate Research @ UArizona
Undergraduate Research @ UArizona
There are a great number of unique undergraduate research opportunities available within the University of Arizona, across nearly all areas of study. A good place to begin searching for research lab opportunities is through visiting the Undergraduate Research & Inquiry Collaborative. Another method is to visit Academic Department & College websites and explore the information in their Research tabs to find out what research they are actively engaged in.
Be sure to check out the AWARDSS program, an amazing opportunity for those graduating soon and planning to apply to Graduate School.
Self-Directed Lab Options
Self-Directed Lab Options
Organizational Leadership students who have worked with Dr. Perkl in the past have pursued and produced some of the following:
Literature Reviews
Case Studies
Executive Summaries (persuasive memo with an evidence basis to be presented to a company's leadership to convince them to fund/support a particular course of action/initiative)
Presentations
Preparation of Graduate Application Writing Samples
Previous lab students have gone on to receive Master's Degress in I-O Psychology mainly, two of whom have also founded their own consulting companies in the years following.
Unique Options
There are a great number of unique undergraduate research opportunities available within the University of Arizona, across nearly all areas of study. A good place to begin searching for research lab opportunities is through visiting the Undergraduate Research & Inquiry Collaborative. Another method is to visit Academic Department & College websites and explore the information in their Research tabs to find out what research they are actively engaged in.
Be sure to check out the AWARDSS program, an amazing opportunity for those graduating soon and planning to apply to Graduate School.
Benefits & Challenges
Research Skills Development:
Benefit: Provides hands-on experience in conducting research, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Challenge: The experience may be limited to a specific research project or area of study, potentially reducing exposure to other fields.
Collaboration Opportunities:
Benefit: Allows students to work closely with researchers and fellow students, fostering teamwork and collaboration skills.
Challenge: Research lab experiences can be time-consuming, requiring dedicated hours for data collection, analysis, and experimentation.
Academic and Career Advancement:
Benefit: Enhances academic credentials and can strengthen applications for further education or research-focused careers.
Challenge: The quality of the experience can vary based on the project, lab environment, and the mentorship received.
Application Requirements
You must apply to take this course. After application and acceptance into the course, you will work directly with a supervising professor.
Refer to the steps in Drafting Your Proposal for details on how to apply.
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