PREP - Module 1.6

Variety of Research Areas

Psychology is an extremely broad field. In fact, there are 54 divisions of the American Psychological Association (APA). Click (https://www.apa.org/about/division) to see all the divisions. The fields range from school psychology to different aspects of mental health to understanding memory process to learning about relationships between people. If you assist with research as an undergraduate, you could find yourself learning more about the experiences of military veterans, why different advertising strategies are helpful, or how virtual reality can influence one’s motor coordination skills. There are so many topics to explore, the possibilities are endless!

Variety of Research Methods

There are also a number of different methods to collecting data. Some researchers may use a survey that can be completed from any location using an electronic device. Other researchers may need to observe people completing a task or interacting with others. Some research involves the collection of physiological measures such as using a brain scanning device or a device that tracks eye movement. Almost as numerous as the research topics are the methods used to collect the data. If you join a research project, you will learn more about the specific methods used for that project.

Recap

Psychological research is not a straight line, it’s a cycle of curiosity, discovery, and growth. Now that you've explored how research questions are formed and investigated, you’re beginning to see how psychology uses the scientific method to understand the world. Remember, you don’t need to have all the answers yet. What matters is your willingness to ask thoughtful questions and stay curious.