For Students
We are actively recruiting student research assistants to work in the Children's Learning Lab.
Students should be psychology majors and have successfully completed Statistical Methods (PSYC 2241). Preference is given to students who have also completed a developmental course, e.g., Child Development (PSYC 3323) or Lifespan (PSYC 3322), and interested in pursuing a graduate degree. Because the lab works with the community, dependability is a must.
Research assistants will be involved in every phase of the research process. It鈥檚 paramount that each phase you are involved in be handled both honestly and ethically. Your responsibilities will include:
- Complete CITI online training course before testing participants
- Do extensive online research for stimuli creation
- Use your artistic and creative skills to physically create the stimuli
- Help to create protocols/data sheets
- Test both child and adult participants
- Create SPSS files, code and enter data
- Help to analyze the data
- Take part in preparations at local and national professional conferences
In addition, it will be necessary to:
- Participate in rigorous training sessions for testing children
- Attend bi-weekly lab meetings
- Be prepared for lab meetings, e.g., do the journal/chapter readings, have suggestions/feedback on current and future research questions
- Have set weekly lab hours
- To leave available a few mornings each week if interested in testing children at schools
In addition to the specific skills gained from the hands-on work in the lab, you鈥檒l:
- Develop critical thinking skills in relation to developmental issues, generate new ideas, and to consider alternate explanations when evaluating information
- Increase online thinking skills, actively take part in scientific discussions
- Present research at local and national conferences
- Scientific writing skills
This lab is productive and diverse with interests that span multiple issues of cognitive development. While the lab focuses on certain topics, I strongly encourage students who are established in the lab to follow their own interests and bring me research questions they are interested in answering. This could lead to potential collaboration on writing a manuscript for publication.
In addition to the host of these new skills, I hope you make new friends and have a great deal of fun throughout the whole process!
Lab positions tend to be open at the start of the fall semester. If interested in applying, please email helana.girgis@stockton.edu. Your email should include a resume with major GPA, list of psychology classes taken, and a cover letter. The cover letter should include why you are interested in working with the CLL, what your long term professional goals are, how this research experience will help you achieve them and a general outline of your availability during the school week.
