The Behavioral Sciences Department encourages students to conduct original research in collaboration with faculty. Students may propose their own research projects or support the research of a faculty member in his or her area of academic interest. Research projects that are approved in advance by the Department and completed may count for academic credit.
Sociology and Behavioral Science
Sociology and Behavioral Science faculty invite students to collaborate on faculty initiated research projects and welcome student initiated collaborations as well. Faculty members have invited students to attend regional and national professional conference meetings, and collaborated on the presentation of research at conferences. The required Sociology/Behavioral Science two-course Research Methods sequence prepares students to conduct research, analyze data, and disseminate findings. In the context of this methods sequence, students have the opportunity to work with the Institute of Applied Social Research conducting local research in the York City and York County area.
Criminal Justice
Opportunities exist for students to work with individual faculty members on research-related projects. In the past, students have helped faculty members study determinants of fear of crime and satisfaction with police, evaluate date rape prevention programs, organize career days, conduct community surveys, and complete other projects. Some of these projects have resulted in publications or presentations. Students wishing to work on projects as they become available should express their interest to individual faculty members.
Psychology
Students in the Psychology Program must complete independent research. To accomplish this objective, student participants are necessary. Students in General Psychology and Introduction to Psychology may earn experiential learning credits by volunteering to participate in the studies. All studies are reviewed by the college's IRB (Internal Review Board) and deemed suitable and ethical for student participation. Opportunities for students to volunteer are posted on bulletin boards in the hallway of the Life Sciences Building between rooms 320 and 325.