Prospective Students Interested in Graduate Study
Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Elavsky directly and review materials available to prospective students through the Penn State Kinesiology website.
Students Interested in Gaining Research Experience
The Aging & Psychology Lab (APL) provides a variety of research experiences to undergraduate students. Research opportunities and involvement varies depending on semester and status of ongoing projects. Please review the general information below and contact Dr. Elavsky for information relevant to the semester you are interested in joining. In your email please include your resume and the following information:
- Name
- Year in school and projected graduation date
- Number of credits and semesters (summer, fall, or spring) you are thinking of committing to
- Any relevant special skills/certifications (e.g., First Aid/CPR, IRB/blood borne pathogen/chemical waste training, web design skills, etc.)
What does the APL need?
We are looking for committed, enthusiastic, and reliable undergraduate students with flexible schedules who are interested in gaining diverse research experiences in the psychology of physical activity and aging.
Students willing to commit to working in the lab for more than one semester will be given preference.
What are the credit requirements?
Students may sign up for independent study credits (Kines 296, Kines 496) or for practicum/internship credits (Kines 395, Kines 495). One credit is equivalent to 40 hours of work. Thus, a student registered for 3 credits should expect to spend an average of 8 hours per week working in the lab across a 15-week semester.
What does APL research experience involve?
Undergraduate research assistants in the APL gain a variety of research experiences. The content of experiences vary based on ongoing projects and lab needs but in general can involve any of the following:
- study design and protocol preparation
- participant recruitment, screening, and scheduling
- data collection, entry, checking, and analysis
- experience with different types of psychological (interview, survey) and physiological (fitness, body composition, activity) assessment techniques
- conducting literature searches online
- transcribing and analyzing interviews
- analyzing urinary and blood samples
How can APL research experience help me in my future career?
Research experiences such as these may be particularly valuable for students who aim to go to graduate school, medical school, PT, or any other health-related field. Often times, these types of experiences help distinguish you from other qualified students during the admission process. Additionally, working closely with a faculty member may provide an opportunity to obtain a personalized letter of reference for graduate school or job applications.
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