Do I have to do research?

No, research opportunities exist for those who are interested.  Now, that is not to say that doing research does not have its benefits.  Whether you are pursuing a degree right out of undergrad or going to graduate school, research can be important.  It provides a venue, outside of the classroom, for professors to observe you and get to know you possibly leading to stronger letters of recommendation from them.  It helps students learn many valuable lessons which are important no matter your career path (i.e., time management, oral and written communication skills, etc.).

How do I get involved with research?

The best way to get involved in research is to contact a professor in the psychology department and express your interest in getting involved. The TRIADS lab generally has 5-7 slots available each year. Most years, we have a waiting list of people trying to get into the lab, however make sure you talk with Dr. Bonds-Raacke or Dr. Raacke about getting involved.

What does the lab do?

The TRIADS lab has a number of activities that are beneficial to those looking to get into a graduate school. Throughout the year we have several projects being conducted that are various stages of the research process. Some of the projects are far along (i.e., ready to be written for publication) while others are in their early stage (conceptualization). In addition to conducting research, the lab goes to several conferences a year to present work and to make connections with others outside of UNCP. These conferences occur throughout the US and can be local (PURC), regional (SEPA) and national (APS).