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Who should do an honors project?

Typically students are encouraged to pursue research experience through a Tutorial or Directed Inquiry, Research Practicum, or volunteer positions in research labs. A psychology honors project may be an option for gaining more advanced research experience on an independent research project for students of exceptional academic accomplishment who: 1) have previous research experience, and 2) are competitive for and seriously considering applying to graduate school in psychology or related fields.

A psychology honors project involves a rigorous program of research, with a great deal of independent work on the part of the student as well as a close collaborative relationship with a faculty sponsor. Because of the high level of involvement and commitment of the faculty sponsor, students are required to meet with the sponsor to discuss the option of conducting an honors project. In most cases, the honors project is seen as an extension of research in which a student is already engaged.

The honors project in Psychology will prepare students for a graduate-level experience, and as a result, the process of completing an honors project will closely resemble that of completing a Master’s thesis.  The honors project is reserved for students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to research in the Department. It is not designed to provide students with research experience; rather, it is intended for students who are already experienced in research to complete a graduate-level project. Students who are seeking research experience should consider research practicum or volunteer positions in departmental research labs.

To ensure that the student is fully prepared to undertake an honors project, a student must meet several eligibility requirements in addition to obtaining approval from a faculty sponsor. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee final approval and acceptance of the student’s honors project.  

 

Eligibility Requirements:

1. A cumulative and major GPA of at least 3.5 at the time of application for Honors work and upon graduation from the College.
2. Prior research experience either with a faculty member in the psychology department (as a member of a research team), as part of an advanced methods course, or in a research laboratory in another department or at another institution.
3. Commitment from one faculty member in the Department to serve as sponsor.
   1. The student must find a faculty member willing to sponsor a project prior to registering for coursework and submitting the honors proposal. This commitment is typically made before second semester of junior year
4. Adequate time and flexibility in the academic schedule to allow for data collection and completion of the project (see specific project requirements for junior and senior year below).
   1. Includes Junior Seminar (Psychology 399) for one or two credits during the Spring Semester of the student’s Junior year to initiate the honors proposal process.  
   2. Includes two academic semesters in the senior year, during which the student will be enrolled in Psychology 495-6 for eight credits, four  of which will be taken in the semester the student is enrolled in Senior Seminar (Psychology 485)
5. Before deciding to propose an honors project, the student must read the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Honors Program and Honors Research document and the Guidelines for the Preparation of the Archival Copy of the Honors Paper document.  These documents can be found in the Honors Research folder in the Cares folder on the FacStaff Community server.

 

Junior Year

In preparation for completing an honors project, students must complete several critical tasks during their junior year and must meet the eligibility requirements listed above prior to the start of their senior year.

Tasks:

1. The student will complete Junior Seminar (Psyc 399) for one or two credits during the Spring Semester.  This course will initiate the honors proposal and will facilitate completion of the tasks listed below.  Enrollment in this course will require approval of the student’s honors sponsor.
2. The student and sponsor should meet to accomplish four tasks.

1. Create a tentative timeline for the project (including, but not limited to, the dates by which the student will obtain IRB approval to conduct the study, date(s) that the student will send drafts of the proposal to the committee members, the anticipated dates when data collection will begin and end, anticipated date when analyses will be complete, and when a final draft of the student’s project will be submitted to committee members for review).  
2. Identify the research question to be addressed in the honors project and the tentative method that will be employed for addressing the research question.
3. Develop a reading list that will provide the necessary background for the project and will potentially serve as a foundation for the Introduction of the project.
4. Form an honors project committee consisting of: a) the primary sponsor, b) another faculty member of the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Psychology Department selected in coordination with the primary sponsor, c) one ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ faculty member outside of the Psychology Department selected in coordination with the primary sponsor, and d) one additional faculty member of the Psychology Department selected by the department chairperson.  

3. Each student is responsible for submitting a letter of intent to the Chair of the Psychology Department to notify her/him of the anticipated honors project proposal.  This letter of intent must be approved by the faculty sponsor.  (DUE DATE: April 15) and should include:
   1. The proposed research question
   2. A tentative method for addressing the research question
   3. The names of the two faculty members who have agreed to serve on your committee selected by the student and sponsor.
   4. The student’s curriculum vitae
   5. The proposed project timeline

 

Summer Tasks (to be completed between Junior and Senior years):

1. Review the articles included in the reading list.
2. Refine the research question to be addressed in the honors project.
3. Refine the methods to be used in the honors project.
4. Draft the honors project propo