Legal Psychology Research Assistant
Job Description
This position will provide intensive, hands-on training in social science research. It will complement their academic program in that students in criminal justice and other social science majors receive training in research methods and statistics in the classroom; this position will allow them to take that classroom-based knowledge and translate it into research practice. In essence, by the end of the three years, the student has the opportunity to receive training equivalent to what a student would find in a 色情论坛 level graduate program (or the early years of a doctoral program). This experience will be invaluable to a student looking into graduate programs of any sort, but particularly social science programs. Not only will students have more experience and skills than the average undergraduate applicant to these programs, but they will have an experience that 1) will allow them to determine whether research is something they actually enjoy, and 2) will allow them access to one or more letter of reference from faculty members who can provide a detailed assessment of their capabilities and skill set, letters which are critically important when applying to competitive graduate programs.
Year 1
Responsibility/Function
The purpose of this position is to provide the student with hands-on experience in conducting social science research. Across the three years, the student will be exposed to all aspects of the research process, from developing research ideas, conducting literature reviews, study design, creation of study materials, obtaining Human Subjects Review Board approval, data collection, data entry, data analysis, and dissemination of research findings. The position will prepare (and make the student marketable) for graduate school in any social science program (e.g., criminal justice, psychology, sociology, political science, etc.) while simultaneously providing the student with a skill set that can be immediately applied to the job market upon graduation (in the form of research and data analysis skills). The qualified applicant will be majoring in a social science field; psychology/criminal justice or legal studies double-majors and/or psychology majors with an interest in the field of Legal/Forensic Psychology are especially encouraged to apply. A strong GPA (e.g., 3.5 or higher) is required.
In Year 1, the student will work with one or more individual faculty members on various ongoing or new research projects. The student will function as an entry-level research assistant in the first year. They will be introduced to the research process and will assist with basic research tasks (e.g., data entry, coding of data, etc.) as well as some general administrative tasks. This year will provide the student with a basic foundation of fundamental research skills.
Year 2
Responsibility/Function
In Year 2, the student will be an intermediate-level research assistant. The student will assume greater responsibility for more complex tasks, such as, for example, creating HSRB proposals, assisting with materials design, helping to train other research assistants within the lab, and possibly serving as a coordinator/supervisor in the laboratory of other research assistants. The student may work directly with the faculty member(s) on data analysis. The student will also be involved in the preparation of reports or presentations, as applicable, to the research and/or relevant operational community.
Year 3
Responsibility/Function
In Year 3, the goal will be for the student to conduct their own year-long independent research project.* In collaboration with their faculty mentor/supervisor, the student will generate an original research idea, generate a written proposal, obtain HSRB approval, create all study materials, coordinate data collection, analyze the data, and submit a final written report on the project. If the timing works, the student will be encouraged to present his or her work at the RWU Student Academic Showcase. In addition, the student will be encouraged to submit their work for presentation at a regional or national academic conference. As an alternative or in addition to his/her research project, the student may serve as a senior research assistant.
**This project may also serve as an Honor鈥檚 Project or undergraduate thesis with approval from the faculty mentor.
*Students are prohibited from driving during work-study employment with the limited exception of authorized work-study driver positions.