Directed Research in Child Psychology:
CPsy 4994 & CPsy 4994V (Honors Thesis)

There are two sections of directed research for undergraduates: CPsy 4994 and CPsy 4994H.

Students assist University professors with their research. To learn more about faculty research programs available and how to contact the lab coordinators, go to Faculty Research Projects. Students may also find more research information in the Child Psychology Advising office in 275 Peik Hall.

CPsy 4994, 1-4 credits 

Directed Research in Child Psychology (for non-majors, majors & honor students)

This is an independent research course scheduled by arrangement with a faculty member, which typically involves assisting with ongoing research projects.  Students’ responsibilities might include:

• coding/tabulating data
• making telephone calls to schedule and confirm appointments
• sitting with siblings during research experiments
• performing library research
• helping with or running research participant interviews
• participating in research meetings
• and/or otherwise assisting in planning and carrying out studies

Students’ tasks and experiences can vary greatly depending on the particular project or researcher with whom they are working.  It is necessary for the student and faculty member to sign a contract to clarify expectations and mutual responsibilities.  The number of credits should reflect the amount of time invested by the student.

One credit equals 3 hours of time in the lab. The faculty member or lab coordinator should take responsibility for ensuring that the planned research experience is educationally appropriate for the student.

CPsy 4994V, 1-6 credits

Honors Thesis Research/Writing (Honors students or majors conducting an empirical research project in lieu of a senior project)

This is an independent research course scheduled by arrangement with a faculty member or lab coordinator during which honors students (or those opting to do an “alternative,” empirical senior project) plan and carry out their honors thesis research. Typically, this involves a student spending some amount of time becoming familiar with the literature and methods of a particular research problem, and then planning and carrying out a research project in the context of a faculty member’s ongoing research program.  The faculty member and/or graduate students (supervised by the faculty member) usually are responsible for advising and assisting the student at all phases of the research project including the writing of the thesis. 

The number of credits should reflect the amount of time invested by the student in the thesis project.  One credit equals 3 hours of research time. It is not appropriate for students registered for credits to spend part of their time engaged in the kinds of activities described under 4994 (non-Honors) except as those activities are directly related to their thesis projects.

Frequently, students register first for 4994 with a faculty member, and subsequently for 4994V credits when they are ready to begin their thesis research and writing under the supervision of the same faculty member.  The 4994V registration should reflect honors students’ engagement specifically in their thesis research, whereas 4994 registration reflects more general research experiences as described above.