Psychology

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Honors Project Course Information

PSYC:498—Honors Research in Psychology (1–3 credits, may be repeated to a maximum of 6 credits)
Prerequisites: Psychology major and approval of honors advisor

Individual research with a faculty advisor leading to the completion of a research project satisfying departmental and university requirements.

Overview

The honors research program is designed to allow exceptional undergraduate students in the Psychology Department and Honors College the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member and doctoral students in conducting a research project. Participation in the honors program is intended to provide an individualized and in-depth perspective on the process of research, while promoting a set of research skills that can prepare students well for graduate level work.

Students considering the honors research program in Psychology should have an interest in and a commitment to research, a strong academic record, and a solid background in Psychology. The number of students that can be accepted into the honors research program is limited. Typically, students accepted into the research program have an outstanding academic record, with cumulative grade point averages generally above 3.5 (overall GPA).

When a student would like to complete an honors project in psychology they need to consult with the advisors in the department Academic and Resource Center. An application will then be submitted to Dr. Charles Waehler who coordinates the department honors program. Included in this application are course grades, a description of the student’s research interests and experience, and a brief summary of career goals. Concurrent with these actions the student can consult with various faculty members to explore possible honor’s sponsors for their project.

General Guidelines

• You must receive a grade of "B" or higher on your Honors Research Project to graduate as an Honors Scholar. If you do not achieve this grade you may still meet the requirements to graduate as an undergraduate student in your major. Please contact your Honors Advisor for more information.
• When there are multiple students involved in an Honors Research Project, each student should be included as authors on the final report, even if they are not part of the Williams Honors College. Every student should receive the proper recognition for thier contributions.
• Every committee must be composed of a Sponsor and two Readers. More information on these roles is available here.
• Students expecting to work on an honors project involving the use of human subjects should be aware that such projects may need to be evaluated by the University of Akron Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB reviews all proposals for research involving human participants to insure appropriate ethical and safety standards are observed. Depending on the nature of the proposed research, IRB review and approval may be required prior to moving forward with your study. In the same way, any research involving live animals will require review by the University of Akron Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC). Please communicate with your project sponsor regarding the need for IRB or ACUC consideration as it relates to your specific project. Information concerning research applications and review procedures can be obtained via the University of Akron Office of Research Administration (ORA).