The Ohio State University Department of Psychology

Research

A student works on a laptop while surrounded by books in a library

Research

Get involved in research as a psychology major

Work as a Research Assistant

Psychology undergraduates can work as Research Assistants in the department. To do so, students enroll in PSYCH 4998, an elective course involving hands-on work with professors, graduate students and other undergraduate students in a research laboratory. Students earn course credit for time spent in the lab. 

How to Enroll 

  1. Explore the faculty labs below and find one that matches your interests and background.
  2. Look for information on the website about how to apply to get involved in the lab. If there isn’t any information, contact the lab's faculty director and express your interest in being a Psychology 4998 research assistant. Be professional in your communication.
  3. Participate in an interview if invited to do so.
  4. Once you have been accepted a Psychology 4998 position, complete and submit the Course Enrollment Permission Form to the Psychology Advising Office, where an advisor will enroll you. Note that the form requires the signature of the lab's principal investigator (the faculty member). Forms are due by the second Friday of the term you are taking PSYCH 4998.

Additional Information

  • Prerequisites: Permission of the lab's faculty director is required. Some labs may have specific requirements.
  • Availability: Students can enroll in Psychology 4998 throughout the academic year and in the summer. Note that some labs only accept assistants for certain terms. 
  • Credit Hours: Students typically take 2 to 4 credit hours of PSYCH 4998 per semester. They can apply a maximum of 3 hours toward the psychology major. Additional hours may apply toward a student’s degree hours. 
  • Work Requirements: Students are expected to work approximately three hours per week in the lab for every credit hour earned. 


Frequently Asked Questions → 

Behavioral Neuroscience

Clinical Psychology


 

Cognitive Neuroscience

Cognitive Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Quantitative Psychology

Social Psychology

Complete a Thesis

Students who are enrolled in PSYCH 4998 can consult with their faculty research advisor about completing a thesis within the lab. A thesis project involves independent research conducted by the student and supervised by a Department of Psychology faculty member, usually the lab's director.
 

Learn more  → 

 


Undergraduate Research Colloquium

All psychology students who are involved in research projects are invited to present their research at an annual spring colloquium. The event is formatted as a poster session, which allows students to display and talk about their work with faculty, staff and peers.
 

Learn more →