research work in psychology

5 Research Careers With a Master’s in Psychology

Industry Advice Healthcare

Working directly with patients in clinical settings isn’t the only way to put a graduate degree in psychology to good use. Research careers in psychology shape the direction of therapeutic strategies and public policies surrounding mental health. To effectively leverage findings in human behavior, several industries need researchers who can observe patients and identify behavioral patterns that affect mental well-being and decision-making.

This has led to an increased demand for psychology professionals. In fact, job growth in psychology careers is expected to increase six percent between 2022 and 2032—which is double the average growth for all other occupations.

Even with this job growth, many students still might be wondering: Is a master’s degree in psychology worth it?

Is a Master’s Degree in Psychology Worth It?

A master’s degree in psychology is an excellent investment for those looking to advance their education. While a bachelor’s degree in psychology can offer an adequate foundation of psychological methods and theories, many students need a master’s degree program to help identify what career is right for them.

“Students need more exposure to a graduate-level curriculum to really refine their goals in a certain area of psychology with the help of faculty advisors to help them shape that,” says Christie Rizzo, Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences.

Whether students plan to become psychologists , counselors , or pursue alternative careers in psychology, they need a strong foundation in behavioral theories. A master’s program provides evidence-based training that can be applied to real situations.

Some advantages students can expect from a psychology master’s degree program include:

• Preparation for doctoral programs
• Flexibility in career paths
• Increased earning potential
• Research opportunities
• Skills development

Another key advantage is the access to expert mentorship. “It’s not just about the coursework,” Rizzo says. “It’s also the personalized advising that they get to help move them along.”

Experienced instructors can offer students broader knowledge of the professional options available, guide their interests, and provide opportunities to learn about developing research.

One possible job outcome these programs can highlight is careers in research. For example, a master’s degree program in applied psychology—the practical application of psychological principles and theories—can help students transfer skills from psychology to industries and job titles that are focused on research evaluation.

“Considering the different ways we’re taking psychology principles and applying them in the real world,” Rizzo says. “We need to know how to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation strategies. For that reason, the research component is incredibly important when studying applied psychology.”

If you’re interested in earning a master’s degree in applied psychology, here’s an overview of the industries hiring professionals with this educational background, as well as the top research careers in psychology that may be a good fit for you.

Top Industries in Psychology

Research careers in psychology can be rewarding for professionals who are passionate about the experimental and investigative aspects of studying behavior. Whether the goal is to work for nonprofits, public health agencies, or academic institutions, researchers are able to approach this discipline from many angles—ranging from observational studies to data analysis.

If you’re unsure of where your interests lie, here are some of the top industries hiring research-related psychology professionals.

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofits like prevention research centers are among the most common employers for people with psychology degrees. These nonprofit organizations study the risk factors for specific types of behavior or mental health challenges and develop strategies to address these issues on an individual and community level. Through proactive interventions, these organizations strive to reduce negative health outcomes as much as possible.

Local, State, and Federal Government

Government agencies also have research-related jobs in psychology at the local, state, and federal level. Similar to nonprofits, they serve public needs and evaluate communities that require the most support. Child welfare services, community organizations, housing assistance, and health advocacy programs are just a few examples of sectors in government that provide job opportunities for psychology graduates.

Public Health and Healthcare

Public health departments and private healthcare organizations employ psychology professionals to evaluate trends and demographic factors to understand how to create successful health policies. These research-focused careers also aid in the development of public outreach technology, using data and digital tools to determine the best ways to gather public health information and communicate important initiatives to the community.

Research professionals who leverage psychology principles frequently work in schools, colleges, and universities to explore emerging ideas in the field. They identify obstacles in the industry and challenges affecting specific populations, using evidence-based practices to design research studies. Academic environments also offer the opportunity to conduct individual research, instruct other professionals, and publish ground-breaking studies in their given field.

5 Research Careers in Psychology

These industries only provide a snapshot of the types of careers that are available to professionals with a master’s degree in psychology. Here’s an overview of the most common research careers that leverage psychology.

1. Data Analyst

Annual Average Salary: $78,516

Data analysts in psychology research fields oversee databases and assure the quality of data collection, management, and evaluation practices. They leverage psychology principles to interpret and predict user behavior by understanding cognitive biases and decision-making patterns. They also apply psychological frameworks to design effective data visualizations and user interfaces, optimizing data communication within an organization to promote better decision-making.

2. Director of Research

Annual Average Salary: $148,216

A director of research oversees the operations for an institution or psychology department. They coordinate research projects, secure funding, supervise staff, and decide how to allocate resources. They utilize psychology to design experiments and surveys that account for human behavior and cognitive biases, ensuring the validity and reliability of the collected data. In addition, it can guide the development of research methodologies, enhancing the understanding of human motivations and reactions in their studies.

3. Market Research Analyst

Annual Average Salary: $68,230

Market research analysts study consumer and community behavior to aid in the development of products and services. Whether they work in psychology or consumer industries, market research analysts investigate the choices, perspectives, barriers, and behavioral patterns of specific audiences. Using surveys, studies, trend assessments, and data reporting, analysts can identify strategies to improve community outreach and communication.

4. Prevention Specialist

Annual Average Salary: $59,748

Prevention specialists work in prevention centers conducting research on specific aspects of behavioral or psychological health. For example, they might study the most effective approaches to drug prevention or research the best interventions to support families in financial distress. Their research enables organizations to develop programs and policies that reduce risk factors and address emerging issues as early as possible.

5. Research Coordinator

Annual Average Salary: $68,567

Research coordinators oversee individual research projects, ensuring they comply with industry regulations and organizational objectives. Coordinators are project managers, and directly report to a research director. They are in charge of making sure a project runs smoothly by supervising the research team, budget, data, public outreach, and all other project activities.

Take the First Step Toward a Psychology Career in Research

For professionals who want options, earning a master’s degree in applied psychology is one of the most advantageous ways to build a flexible career. A graduate degree allows you to pursue a career focused on a variety of specialities research, counseling, or even clinical psychology. However, this program ensures you have the right skills to take on almost all these roles.

“When students come out of a counseling-focused master’s degree, they don’t have that level of skill,” Rizzo says. “This is because the focus of those programs is asking students ‘How can you be an effective counselor? And how much research knowledge do you need to understand the most effective treatments?’ But it does not touch on the broader set of research skills.”

Northeastern University’s MS in Applied Psychology is specifically designed to prepare graduates for research careers in psychology. Graduates learn to analyze trends and statistics to gain insights and communicate them to a wider industry.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this program, contact an admissions counselor to explore your options.

Subscribe below to receive future content from the Graduate Programs Blog.

About shaday stewart, related articles, 4 pressing global health problems we face today, global health careers: how can i make a difference.

Compliance Specialists: Who They Are and What They Earn

Did you know.

Advanced degree holders earn a salary an average 25% higher than bachelor's degree holders. (Economic Policy Institute, 2021)

Northeastern University Graduate Programs

Explore our 200+ industry-aligned graduate degree and certificate programs.

Most Popular:

Tips for taking online classes: 8 strategies for success, public health careers: what can you do with an mph, 7 international business careers that are in high demand, edd vs. phd in education: what’s the difference, 7 must-have skills for data analysts, in-demand biotechnology careers shaping our future, the benefits of online learning: 8 advantages of online degrees, how to write a statement of purpose for graduate school, the best of our graduate blog—right to your inbox.

Stay up to date on our latest posts and university events. Plus receive relevant career tips and grad school advice.

By providing us with your email, you agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Keep Reading:

Top Higher Education Conferences To Attend in 2024

Grad School or Work? How To Balance Both

Is a Master’s in Computer Science Worth the Investment?

Should I Go to Grad School: 4 Questions To Consider

Choosing to Focus on Research as a Psychologist

Sponsored school(s).

As one of the most popular undergraduate majors in the United States, psychology prepares students to gain entrance in a range of rewarding and exciting careers. Every year, students will cultivate an interest in pursuing an advanced course of study that solely concentrates on the research aspect of psychology. Educators and experts stress the importance of students preparing early for the application process, thoroughly researching their options, and becoming more active within the field.

See " So I majored in psychology ".

The Process of Psychology Research

The Scientific Method is a set of principles and procedures that researchers use to create questions, collect data, and arrive at conclusions . This approach allows researchers to accomplish their goals for their psychological studies, which is to describe, explain, predict, and in some cases, influence processes or behaviors of the mind. The ultimate goal of scientific research in psychology is to illustrate behaviors and give details on why they take place. Researchers also strive to predict (and sometimes, modify) human behavior.

Before people begin the process of research, they must select a topic of study. Researchers then conduct an exhaustive review of existing publications and information that relates to the subject. In the end, it becomes clearer as to which topic questions remain unanswered. A researcher may examine books and academic journals that date back decades to assess the most relevant topics of study. All background material helps a researcher formulate the first step in the psychology research process – the hypothesis.

The four steps of the research process are:

Step 1 – Formulate a Testable Hypothesis: A hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationship between two or more variables, or a specific occurrence or trend. Researchers go on to provide an explanation of their research, which either proves or disproves their theories.

Step 2 – Create a Study and Collect Data: There are two basic types of research methods to consider that fit the need to collect data for a study – descriptive research and experimental research.

Step 3 – Examine Data and Reach Conclusions: A researcher looks over the information they collect, and with the help of statistics, they summarize the data, analyze results and draw conclusions about their findings.

Step 4 – Report the Findings of the Study : Researchers lastly share their findings by creating a description of the study, and publish an article in an academic or professional journal.

Types of Psychology Research Methods

Psychology research takes place inside of laboratories, and often includes experiments, testing, and the analysis of statistical data. Psychology researchers may also work in the field (gathering data in hospitals, schools, workplaces, and even on city streets) with a goal to observe and study behavior in their most naturally-occurring settings.

Not every psychology researcher will use the same methods to study their topic of interest, and it all depends on his or her sources of information, data samples, and data collection techniques.

A researcher may collect qualitative data, quantitative data, or both.

Qualitative psychological data involves research findings that do not include statistical or other related procedures, while quantitative psychological data involves research findings that incorporate a mathematical model or statistical estimation.

Common approaches and data collection methods for psychology research include:

• Case Studies: A thorough analysis of a single person, small group, or event, such as studying a man with a rare, incurable brain disease.
• Content Analysis: A study of recorded human communications, such as books, laws and art. Examples include the analysis of the speeches of Kennedy and Nixon in televised debates, or the examination of graffiti of males and females in public bathrooms.
• Cross Sectional Study: Samples of a population sheds light on information relating to specific measures. An example is a researcher who questions whether sugar consumption affects a specific health concern.
• Field Experiments: Traveling to hunter-gatherer regions in South America to test out universal relationship behaviors is an example of research that studies subjects in his or her natural setting.
• Survey: Random sampling of a population using a question-format collects valuable information. Examples include public health, market research, and government surveys.

Education Requirements of a Psychology Researcher

A bachelor's degree in psychology allows people to work as research or administrative assistants for psychologists. Other job prospects include becoming a technician in a related field (such as market research) or assisting psychologists in mental health centers and correctional programs. After acquiring years of experience under the guidance of professional psychologists, many people make the decision to pursue graduate and doctoral studies in psychology.

While the doctoral degree is the standard for independent research or practice in psychology, the number of psychology students who pursue a terminal master's degree has increased sixfold since 1960 – master's degrees totaled at least 21,400 in 2008. A master's degree in psychology allows people to work as assistants under the supervision of doctoral-level psychologists. Master's degree holders with several years of business experience obtain jobs in consulting and marketing research, while others land jobs within the government, universities, or the private sector as researchers, data collectors, and analysts .

A doctorate's degree in psychology typically involves five to seven years of graduate study, which ends with a dissertation involving original research . The advanced degree opens many doors to opportunities involving research and teaching positions at universities, health care services, private industries, and with the government. Psychologists with a doctoral degree often choose to conduct their own research studies while accepting a career position in the meantime.

Individuals that obtain a higher level of psychology education and experience typically encounter a larger number of job offers and opportunities to conduct research over someone without an advanced degree, other credentials, and years of experience.

Ways to Gain Experience in Research Psychology

Students with an interest in pursuing the academia route of psychology benefit the most when they accumulate as much experience as possible. Those who start early gain a definite competitive edge.

"The most noticeable current trend is just how many undergraduates are getting involved in research," says Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D, the Department Chair of the Department of Psychology at Monmouth University. "Not only are more students getting involved, but more are doing so at a high level [such as] presenting at research conferences."

The most important thing that Mitchell Metzger says he tells students about research is to get involved early. "We have many of our students helping out in the lab with research projects as early as their sophomore year," says Metzger, a professor of Psychology at Ashland University (Ohio) and department chair since 2007. "When a student gets involved early in their undergraduate career, they really have the opportunity to build a variety of experiences by the time they graduate."

He says that while the students may start out in 'lower level' research roles such as data collection and data entry, they are undergoing valuable preparation for diving more deeply into the research process.

The countless opportunities that a student can gain psychology research experience and knowledge are:

• Help Out a Professor – Dr. Lewandowski suggests getting started as early in your academic career as possible. "Even if you have not had a research class yet, if a professor is willing to have you help out, you will not only get a head start, but will learn a lot that will make taking the class easier," he says. "The more experience you can get the better."
• Find a Mentor – Some of the best ways to gain experience in psychology is learning from those already in the field. "The amount of work may be daunting at first, but just like anything else, you adjust over time and find new ways to manage," says Kongit Farrell, who is a life and relationship coach with a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. "Just keep at it and work on finding a mentor to help."
• Attend or Present at a Psychology Conference – "We have a number of graduates with multiple conference presentations under their belts by the time they finish their bachelor's degree, which is a huge advantage for them as they apply to graduate schools," says Metzger. "Many graduate programs see undergraduate research experience as valuable, regardless of what the specific area of research might be that the student was involved in.  
• Write and Publish Articles and Papers – "It is becoming more necessary for undergraduates to have co-authored journal articles in order to get into Ph.D. programs after college," says Dr. Lewandowski.
• Become a Research Assistant – Obtaining a research assistant position is a valuable opportunity to gain experience, and forge professional connections that can help in the future. Universities, hospitals, and private organizations hire assistants to conduct research on psychology projects. Having previous experience working in labs or on academic research projects improves the chance of being accepted into advanced degree programs and research jobs after graduation.
• Join a Psychology Organization – There are psychology-related organizations and associations that cater to varying ethnicities, regions, nations, and fields of study. For example, the Association for Psychological Science has more than 20,000 members and is the largest general psychology organization that mainly concentrates on research.
• Read APA Magazines and Newsletter Articles – Reading APA magazine and newsletter articles about research tools and methods , as well as the Monitor on Psychology and gradPSYCH magazines keep students in tune with the latest in psychology research.
• Independent Research with Faculty Advisor – Taking advantage of independent research and study projects allows undergraduate students to work closely with professors who serve as advisors. The student and faculty usually share a mutual interest. These professors can also write strong letters of recommendation for future graduate study, which demonstrates a student's ability to work independently.

"A growing trend [in the field of research psychology] is the recognition of the value of undergraduate research for building critical thinking skills, analytical skills, and communication skills," says Lewandowski.

Graduate school programs aim to further strengthen these necessary qualities and skills of someone with an interest in pursuing a career in psychology research. This includes:

• Analytical skills help students perform psychological research by sharpening their ability to examine information and draw logical conclusions.
• Communication skills aid a psychologists' ability to listen to and speak with subjects.
• Observational skills help a psychologist study attitude and behavior by perfecting their ability to analyze the facial expressions, actions, interactions, and body positions of people.
• Patience allows researchers to deal with subjects who exhibit mental or behavioral disorders.
• People skills help researchers work well with their test subjects, interviewees, and other medical professionals.
• Problem-solving skills assist researchers in pinpointing treatments and solutions pertaining to mental and behavioral issues.

Before Applying to Graduate Schools for Psychology Research

Students with an interest in graduate-level psychology research tend to experience a more beneficial application process when they pinpoint a specific area of study before applying.

Conducting an ample amount of research also makes final school selections much easier to achieve, and helps iron out the details of future plans. It is important for students to apply to a program that accommodates their values, abilities and interests. Finding the right graduate program is one of the keys to succeeding in the psychology research field.

Dr. Lewandowski is a researcher who studies intimate relationships and the self. He says that this subject allows him to concentrate on topics that he is 'eternally curious about' regarding what makes some relationships successful while others fail, such as attraction, cheating, and break-ups.

"From my experience, students can learn the importance of staying true to your interests," says Lewandowski. "I love what I research, which has made it a lot easier to be successful.

Incorporating the primary interests of a student with the availability of specialty programs and personal criteria such as location, cost of tuition and time commitments, helps students narrow down their options for choosing the right psychology graduate school.

A good resource for researching psychology graduate programs of interest is the American Psychological Association, which publishes the Graduate Study in Psychology and Related Fields – a listing of  all graduate programs in North America by state and subject area . The Princeton Review also provides helpful information. Books on graduate programs are also available at the school library, career services office, and campus bookstores.

Some experts recommend applying to at least six graduate psychology schools, while others suggest applying to as many as 20 . However, application fees get expensive, so requesting applications only from the schools a student truly wishes to attend will help them stick to a budget. Therefore, spending quality time investigating available options not only makes the overall application process easier, but also saves money.

How to Apply to Graduate Schools for Psychology Research

Students who prepare early and get acquainted with the psychology graduate school application process face an easier road towards fulfilling their research career goals. Aside from filling out the proper forms, maintaining an acceptable GPA, and demonstrating research experience, there are four significant components relating to the typical application package – official undergraduate transcripts, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Schools generally expect applicants to fulfill the following:

1. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and other test scores – Most psychology graduate schools require GRE scores – a computer-based test that students take well before application deadlines. The GRE includes electronic testing that rates a student's Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing aptitude. Many graduate schools also request the results of the Psychology Subject Exam – a paper test that is held three times a year.

2. Maintain a strong undergraduate GPA – Advanced degree programs in psychology typically accept applicants who possess a median GPA of 3.7 with a GRE score more than 1100, and relevant research experience. For some master's programs in psychology, a GPA of 3.4 is fairly competitive. For doctoral programs, students fair well with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

3. Furnish exemplary letters of recommendation – Professors often tell students to discuss recommendations well in advance with faculty members in a face-to-face manner. Faculty members that a student takes at least two courses and performs at a high level (preferably a combination of no less than 'A' and 'B' grades) make the best choices. Academic interaction outside of class with the professors is a plus.

4. Write a personal statement (or statement of purpose) – A student's statement is his or her chance to add a personal touch to the application process. It sets students apart from one another, and gives the opportunity to share specific interests in the field, strengths, skills, career goals, and aspirations. A student often shares the reason why they are applying to a specific program. The selection committee uses a personal statement to assess a student's writing ability, as well as determine who the best fit for their program is.

5. Prepare a vita – Students wishing to enter a graduate or doctoral program for research psychology write a vita, which is basically an academic resume. Typical features include professional/academic honors and awards, honor Society memberships, Dean's List recognition, research concentration, presentations at professional conferences or workshops, publications, and memberships in professional organizations.

6. Demonstrate relevant research or work experience – Having research and experience in psychology significantly boosts the value of an application. Work and volunteer activities in psychology also highlight a student's enthusiasm and commitment to the field.

Psychology Research Grants and Scholarships

There are numerous research grants and scholarship opportunities available for students looking to fund their pursuit of obtaining an advanced degree in psychology. A few options include:

• APAGS/Psi Chi Junior Scientist Fellowship – promotes psychological science and the needs of students entering a research-oriented graduate program.
• Basic Psychological Science Research Grant – supports graduate students conducting psychological science research studies.

Challenges of Becoming a Psychology Researcher

Graduate programs in psychology prepare students for the oftentimes rigorous schedule of juggling numbers and sorting endless information – skills a student needs to work on as an undergrad. But first, students must find his or her niche, and solidify their position within the field.

Lewandowski says that students may face the challenge of finding a professor who does research in the exact topic of their interest. "However, the good news is that any research experience is good research experience, and the exact topic is less important," he adds. "Even if you know you want to go on to study treatments for anorexia, your undergraduate research does not need to have the same focus."

Sometimes, the challenge is not finding a professor within the same niche to study under, but instead, locating people who are open to new theories and approaches within the field.

"I focus on applying biological concepts to social science," says Farrell, who studies topics such as why women and men make the choices they do in relationships. "It's a relatively new approach and because of this, sometimes people have not been receptive to my ideas."

However, Farrell says that over time, more people grew to realize that her work was correct, but she mentions that "being a thought leader in any profession can be daunting."

"You just have to do good work, have faith in your vision, stick to your guns, and keep moving forward," adds Farrell. She also says that developing a supportive group of friends, mentors, and loved ones makes a great deal of difference.

Becoming a psychologist that concentrates on research is often a time-consuming journey.

"One of the main challenges for our students is prioritizing their time to fit research into their busy lives," notes Metzger. "Once a student buys in to the idea that these experiences will be valuable to them, they'll need to prioritize their time to do these experiences as they are often completed outside the context of a class they are taking [for example]…they do research in their spare time."

Metzger says that some of the students at Ashland University may only have a few hours each week to devote to research, while others have considerably more time in the schedules for such activities. "Regardless of how much time they have to engage in the research process," adds Metzger. "Any exposure will be better than no exposure."

Farrell is also a reminder to students to remain steadfast in the field.

"Be prepared for long hours, and a lot of numerical and data analysis work," says Farrell. "On the flip side, this work could lead you to a very rewarding and financially lucrative career stretching from

entertainment, to business to health to politics; the world can be your oyster!"

Job Prospects for Psychology Researchers

Upon graduation, psychology researchers typically find jobs either out in the field, inside a classroom, or in a laboratory. The majority of lab research takes place in universities, government agencies (such as the National Institute of Health), and private research organizations. Some graduates may find employment in management or administration after serving many years as an active researcher.

Psychology researchers may work independently, join a team, or participate in collective research on a national or global level. In 2010, psychologists held about 174,000 jobs : working self-employed (about 34 percent), in educational services (29 percent), and in healthcare settings (20 percent). Some non-profit organizations and many colleges will hire people with a bachelor's degree in psychology to conduct research. A few government organizations and some private businesses may do the same.

The APA tells students to pool their resources and experiences as they look for a psychology research position , including internships, participating in service learning events, and even volunteering at a school. Eric Landrum, PhD, author of "Finding Jobs with a Psychology Bachelor's Degree," says that networking is critical. Staying in contact with professors and faculty is also an asset since graduates still require references and letters of recommendation when applying for psychology jobs.

However, it is the graduate with an advanced degree in psychology and solid experience under his or her belt that qualifies for more job opportunities. There are also many job positions available that incorporate other areas of interest, such as:

• Alcohol and Drug Research: Example studies of interest include the impact of alcohol and drug abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, long-term effects of a drug on the central nervous system, or a drug's impact on a pregnancy.
• Experimental Research: Researchers that enjoy conducting experiments in a lab often explore the cause and effect of human behavior, physiology, and psychology. They rely heavily upon test results, surveys, questionnaires, and observations.
• Medical School Research: Speaks best to graduates with an interest in medicine, academia, obtaining grants/fellowships, and lecturing.
• Military Research: Researchers may study post-traumatic stress disorder, the effects of war on soldiers during enlistment, depression and aggression within the armed forces, and drug use after retirement.
• Nutrition Research: Questionnaires, surveys, and interviews help researchers study the eating habits of males and females, and sometimes involve issues, such as bulimia, anorexia, excessive weight control and malnutrition.
• Social Research: Surveys, interviews, and observation helps with the field study of social issues, such as criminal activity, homelessness, and poverty.

Trends in Psychology Research

As the American population evolves, the demand for clinical and research psychologists increases. Research psychologists fill the duties of identifying the services and solutions that benefit an aging population who is living longer, and facing an upsurge in mental and physical obstacles.

Farrell says she is seeing a switch from compartmentalization to integration within the field. "…psychology is no longer just about your findings," she says. "…but finding out ways to apply your findings to other disciplines.

Psychology researchers play roles such as assisting in the development of programs for special groups , such as veterans with war trauma, individuals with autism, patients with mental disorders, and people with job stress.

The opportunities for people with advanced degrees in psychology are expanding in number, as there is a greater need to move towards illness prevention rather than simply making a diagnosis and treatment plan. The majority of today's issues within society involve behavior problems that include chronic health conditions or disease, drug addiction, poor personal relationships, disregard for the environment, and violence. Research psychologists play a greater role in contributing solutions to these problems by using thoughtful methods of data collection and analysis that helps develop effective intervention strategies.

The increasing diversity throughout America places research psychologists in higher demand to develop and enhance existing treatments and approaches to meet the growing needs of people representing different races and ethnicities.

Just as a constantly evolving society affects psychology research, advancements in technology also play a role in the current trends sweeping the field, such as:

• The Internet: The Internet changes the face of data collection and the exchange of information. The advantages, such as having a greater access to research, helps improve the science of psychology. Research psychologists use prominent online databases, such as PsychInfo and ERIC, to aid the literature review process.

Psychologists also use email alerts to receive updates regarding the leading publications in the field. Other benefits include the sharing of cross-cultural psychology ideas, the ability to conduct online experiments, and the creation of archived data sets for secondary analysis.

Online research also has its downfalls that can detract from the validity and effectiveness of studies, including the potential for obtaining and spreading misinformation. One of the reasons the American Psychological Association's online journal Prevention & Treatment is a success hinges upon maintaining a high standard of scholarship. Not all resources follow suit, which causes a detrimental effect on the outcome of studies and data analysis.

Researchers who use the Internet as a tool for data collection must seek out reputable methods and sources of information, such as specially designed websites, highly rated, well-organized databases, and efficient software.

• Advancements in Equipment and Software: Advancements in equipment and software play a significant part in the research process of psychologists that go beyond the distribution of research findings and using typical methods of data collection. Take the growth of Imaging and Computer Modeling equipment for example – researchers benefit from obtaining high resolution pictures of the brain to make determinations regarding certain cognitive processes.

Other examples of advanced technology include the MRI, thermal imaging, real-time tracking software, computer-assisted therapies, and upgraded electronic data collection tools, such as video recorders and tablet apps.

Psychologists generally keep up with the latest trends in research psychology by following current news, attending conferences, networking with colleagues, and continuing to learn more about their field. For example, psychological researchers can gain training and hands-on experience in a variety of areas by taking part in APA Advanced Training Institutes (ATIs) , which exposes participants to emerging technologies and the most current research methodologies.

Research Psychology Programs

• Master's Programs
• Doctoral Programs
• Online Psychology Degrees
• Psychology Degree Path

Licensing & Certification Information

• Psychologist Licensing by State
• Counselor Licensing by State
• Social Worker Licensing by State
• Therapist Licensing by State

Become a Research Psychologist

If you like the idea of immersing yourself in the body of knowledge that has been accumulated in the field of psychology since its inception way back in antiquity, then working as a  research psychologist  in the field of experimental psychology is exactly the jobs you should be looking for.

People who specialize in research psychology and experimental psychology:

• study behavior and cognition in humans and animals
• develop experiments to test different aspects of how the mind works
• formulate theories based on the results of their tests

By advancing the scope and depth of knowledge within the field of psychology, research psychology and experimental psychology professionals provide practitioners of all types of psychology with more and better tools to understand the human mind and help people live healthier and more enjoyable lives.

Specialists in research psychology and experimental psychology are generally found in academic environments such as colleges and universities, where they have access to libraries of supporting scholarly material and opportunities to learn from other psychology scholars and to teach students training for their own careers.

Psychology is a growing field that covers many areas. There are many different types of psychology, but the one thing they all have in common is that they study human behavior, including what people think, how they react, and how they feel. Research psychologists play an important role in the world today because they focus their research on human behavior so that they can help people and help the psychologist that may be offering services to this individual.

What is a Research Psychologist?

A research psychologist studies everything pertaining to an individual’s human behavior, including how they act, think, feel, and learn. They study many topics that affect people, including the effects of alcoholism or drug abuse, causes of depression, how different people learn, and even the effectiveness of the prison system.

They may work in various settings, including private industries or academia. There are various employment options a research psychologist may choose, but they are all based on and involve research. Research psychologists also study the role genetics plays in behavior.

Candidates who have an interest in both animal and human behavior typically find this the ideal career choice. In addition to performing intensive research, these professionals also do detailed observations, complete case studies, give interviews, and spend a lot of time analyzing the results of their findings. They also provide other psychologists with their findings and observations.

Required skills

In addition to meeting the education and training requirements for becoming a research psychologist, the individual must also possess other skills.

• Research skills – The majority of the research psychologist’s workday deals with research so the candidate must have good research skills.
• Analytical skills – Once the research is completed, the research psychologist must analyze what it means, so they must have good analytical skills.
• Ability to teach – This is especially important if the research psychologist chooses a career in academia.
• Extensive knowledge of the human mind – This is necessary because so much of the job entails analyzing what makes people think, feel and act as they do.
• Knowledge of brain anatomy – This is also important because it helps the research psychologist better understand human behavior.
• Community skills – A research psychologist needs good communication and interpersonal skills because they spend a lot of time interviewing patients and reporting their findings to others.
• Objectivity – The research psychologist must have the ability to remain objective regardless of what he obtains through research and analysis.

Students pursuing a career as a research psychologist will complete a variety of courses through each degree level. General education courses are generally required for entry into a bachelor’s degree program. Courses in a bachelor’s degree psychology program may include:

• Common issues in psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Behavioral neuroscience
• Clinical psychology
• Organizational psychology
• Abnormal psychology
• Human cognition

When completing the graduate degree program, you’ll have courses like:

• Social Psychology
• Child Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Experimental Psychology

In addition to all the courses required, students will also learn research methods and will perform extensive research on various topics. They’ll also learn the importance of delivering findings and analysis to other psychologists.

Doctoral degree students will also have to pass a comprehensive examination and write a dissertation based on research the student has completed. This degree typically requires the student to complete a fellowship or internship so that he or she can obtain state licensure.

Online programs

Research psychologist programs are offered as online programs at many colleges and universities. The online programs are offered at the bachelor and graduate degree levels. However, the online psychology programs are most often at the master’s or doctoral degree level. At this point in the student’s academic career, he or she has a good understanding of psychology.

The online programs offer the student the opportunity to work and earn the degree at the same time. Most students will work in psychology settings, which can give them additional work experience, fulfill internship requirements, and enhance their resume for when they do graduate and seek work as research psychologists.

The online psychology programs may be 100 percent online or hybrid programs. Rather than come to class on campus every day, the student logs in to the school site and participates through virtual learning or a variety of learning tools such as DVDs, virtual classrooms, streaming media, and more. Online programs have become very popular because of the flexibility they offer students.

How to Become a Research Psychologist – Several Steps

1. earn a bachelor’s degree.

Becoming a research psychologist requires several years of study and training. There is a step-by-step process a candidate must complete to become a research psychologist. First, you must earn a bachelor’s degree. While the bachelor’s degree doesn’t necessarily need to be in psychology, it will be very beneficial if it is in psychology because the bachelor’s teaches students the fundamentals of psychology.

2. Start your research

Additionally, if the student chooses the bachelor’s degree in psychology, the student can complete advanced psychology courses while also choosing specific areas of research they wish to develop. Psychology-based student groups and honors societies for psychology students are available for students to join. These help the students gain even more knowledge on research and psychology.

3. Gain work experience

The years spent earning the bachelor’s degree can also be spent working in research and psychology. The more research experiences a student obtains, the better it will help that student when it’s time to pursue an advanced degree. Working at a university can help the student work with professors that may provide letters of recommendation when the student is out of college and seeking work in that field.

4. Earn a master’s degree

The next step towards becoming a research psychologist is earning a master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in research psychology. The concentration may also be in experimental psychology since experimental psychology and research psychology are so similar. While still an undergraduate student, you can become gathering your letters of recommendation, writing personal statements, and taking the GRE, which are all required for entry into the master’s degree program.

5. Earn a doctoral degree

To become a research psychologist, an individual should have a doctoral degree in some sort of psychology field, such as clinical, developmental, cognitive, personality, social or experimental. The National Science Foundation indicates that a student can earn a research psychologist Ph.D. degree in seven to eight years from the time he or she starts the master’s degree program.

Salary and Career Outlook

A regular psychologist who spends much of his work time doing research is generally considered a research psychologist. The career outlook for psychologists, in general, is very good according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They reported that psychologists could see job growth of six percent between 2021 and 2031.

Psychologists in the “all other” category, the group in which research psychologists are rated, are expected to see higher job growth. Psychologists with a doctoral degree, such as research psychologists, should have the best job opportunities and career growth. The BLS predicts that about 14,100 new jobs should be created for psychologists each year until 2031.

Psychologists earn annual wages ranging from $47,850 to $133,890 as of May 2021. Their average annual wage nationwide is $102,900. Their average hourly wage is about $50.86 according to the BLS. Research psychologists are often referred to as experimental psychologists, and they are among the highest paying jobs in psychology.

Salary.com reports that research psychologists in the U.S. earn an average of $101,409 as of May 2023. The actual wages earned by research psychologists can change from one wage reporting agency to another. These factors can also determine wage potential for research psychologists.

• Relevant work experience
• Certifications
• Type of employer
• Geographic location

Research psychologists work in a variety of settings. They often work in an academic setting but also perform fieldwork or work in laboratories. They can also find work in government settings, for private research facilities, in universities, or as part of a global or national team. Some research psychologists choose to work independently.

Graduates of doctoral degree programs in research psychology qualify for many different job titles.

• Environmental Psychologist
• Clinical Research Psychologist
• Staff Psychologist
• Medical Psychologist
• Principal Psychologist
• Psychologist
• Consultant Psychologist
• Personnel Research Psychologist
• Personnel Psychologist
• Operational Psychologist

Research psychology and experimental psychology jobs can be found in:

• Academic environments such as colleges and universities
• Private research institutions
• Non-profit foundations
• Government laboratories

These researchers and psychologists strive to understand mental or emotional phenomena or to cure or mitigate specific behavioral or cognitive disorders.

Q : Do research psychologists earn the same type of salary as clinical psychologists?

A : According to the American Psychological Association , research psychologist and clinical psychologist wages are quite similar. The only type of psychologists that earn higher wages are managerial psychologists.

Q : Are the online psychology programs as good as the on-campus programs?

A : As long as you choose an accredited college, you’ll be getting the same kind of education except it will be done at home. Look for schools that are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation .

Q : Can I work as a research psychologist with only a master’s degree?

A : Research psychologists should have a doctoral degree, especially if they wish to obtain licensure.

Q : When choosing a bachelor’s degree program, should it be a B.A. or B.S. ?

A : BA programs are very good programs, but a BS program is more geared toward a student who wants to perform research, which is what research psychologists spend most of their time doing.

Paying for College

• The Simplest Guide
• Psychology Scholarships
• Nursing Scholarships
• Human Resources Scholarships
• Student Loans
• CSI Scholarships
• 101 Resources for Student Mental Health
• HR Career Resources
• Data Science Resources
• Nursing Interviews
• Curriculum Designer Interview
• College Consultants
• Guide to Financial Planning
• Online Colleges that Offer Laptops
• Avoiding Microaggressions
• Foster Youth College Resources
• DACA College Students
• Student Recovery Resources
• BSN Careers
• Psychology Careers
• CSI Careers
• Data Science Careers
• Human Resources Careers

Online Degrees

• Best CSI Degree Programs
• Humanities Degree
• Online Degree Programs
• Best MFT Degree Programs
• Pre-Licensure BSN Programs
• Psychology Degrees
• RN to BSN Guide
• Masters Degrees for a Career Change
• Engineering Degrees
• Best Online MBA in Marketing
• Degrees for Remote Work
• Best Degrees for Entrepreneurs
• Best MBA for Product Management Degrees
• Easiest Business Degrees
• Degrees for Single Moms
• Accelerated Bachelors
• Forensic Scientist

Research Methods In Psychology

Saul McLeod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Learn about our Editorial Process

Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

Research methods in psychology are systematic procedures used to observe, describe, predict, and explain behavior and mental processes. They include experiments, surveys, case studies, and naturalistic observations, ensuring data collection is objective and reliable to understand and explain psychological phenomena.

Hypotheses are statements about the prediction of the results, that can be verified or disproved by some investigation.

There are four types of hypotheses :

• Null Hypotheses (H0 ) – these predict that no difference will be found in the results between the conditions. Typically these are written ‘There will be no difference…’
• Alternative Hypotheses (Ha or H1) – these predict that there will be a significant difference in the results between the two conditions. This is also known as the experimental hypothesis.
• One-tailed (directional) hypotheses – these state the specific direction the researcher expects the results to move in, e.g. higher, lower, more, less. In a correlation study, the predicted direction of the correlation can be either positive or negative.
• Two-tailed (non-directional) hypotheses – these state that a difference will be found between the conditions of the independent variable but does not state the direction of a difference or relationship. Typically these are always written ‘There will be a difference ….’

All research has an alternative hypothesis (either a one-tailed or two-tailed) and a corresponding null hypothesis.

Once the research is conducted and results are found, psychologists must accept one hypothesis and reject the other. 

So, if a difference is found, the Psychologist would accept the alternative hypothesis and reject the null.  The opposite applies if no difference is found.

Sampling techniques

Sampling is the process of selecting a representative group from the population under study.

A sample is the participants you select from a target population (the group you are interested in) to make generalizations about.

Representative means the extent to which a sample mirrors a researcher’s target population and reflects its characteristics.

Generalisability means the extent to which their findings can be applied to the larger population of which their sample was a part.

• Volunteer sample : where participants pick themselves through newspaper adverts, noticeboards or online.
• Opportunity sampling : also known as convenience sampling , uses people who are available at the time the study is carried out and willing to take part. It is based on convenience.
• Random sampling : when every person in the target population has an equal chance of being selected. An example of random sampling would be picking names out of a hat.
• Systematic sampling : when a system is used to select participants. Picking every Nth person from all possible participants. N = the number of people in the research population / the number of people needed for the sample.
• Stratified sampling : when you identify the subgroups and select participants in proportion to their occurrences.
• Snowball sampling : when researchers find a few participants, and then ask them to find participants themselves and so on.
• Quota sampling : when researchers will be told to ensure the sample fits certain quotas, for example they might be told to find 90 participants, with 30 of them being unemployed.

Experiments always have an independent and dependent variable .

• The independent variable is the one the experimenter manipulates (the thing that changes between the conditions the participants are placed into). It is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable.
• The dependent variable is the thing being measured, or the results of the experiment.

Operationalization of variables means making them measurable/quantifiable. We must use operationalization to ensure that variables are in a form that can be easily tested.

For instance, we can’t really measure ‘happiness’, but we can measure how many times a person smiles within a two-hour period. 

By operationalizing variables, we make it easy for someone else to replicate our research. Remember, this is important because we can check if our findings are reliable.

Extraneous variables are all variables which are not independent variable but could affect the results of the experiment.

It can be a natural characteristic of the participant, such as intelligence levels, gender, or age for example, or it could be a situational feature of the environment such as lighting or noise.

Demand characteristics are a type of extraneous variable that occurs if the participants work out the aims of the research study, they may begin to behave in a certain way.

For example, in Milgram’s research , critics argued that participants worked out that the shocks were not real and they administered them as they thought this was what was required of them. 

Extraneous variables must be controlled so that they do not affect (confound) the results.

Randomly allocating participants to their conditions or using a matched pairs experimental design can help to reduce participant variables. 

Situational variables are controlled by using standardized procedures, ensuring every participant in a given condition is treated in the same way

Experimental Design

Experimental design refers to how participants are allocated to each condition of the independent variable, such as a control or experimental group.

• Independent design ( between-groups design ): each participant is selected for only one group. With the independent design, the most common way of deciding which participants go into which group is by means of randomization. 
• Matched participants design : each participant is selected for only one group, but the participants in the two groups are matched for some relevant factor or factors (e.g. ability; sex; age).
• Repeated measures design ( within groups) : each participant appears in both groups, so that there are exactly the same participants in each group.
• The main problem with the repeated measures design is that there may well be order effects. Their experiences during the experiment may change the participants in various ways.
• They may perform better when they appear in the second group because they have gained useful information about the experiment or about the task. On the other hand, they may perform less well on the second occasion because of tiredness or boredom.
• Counterbalancing is the best way of preventing order effects from disrupting the findings of an experiment, and involves ensuring that each condition is equally likely to be used first and second by the participants.

If we wish to compare two groups with respect to a given independent variable, it is essential to make sure that the two groups do not differ in any other important way. 

Experimental Methods

All experimental methods involve an iv (independent variable) and dv (dependent variable)..

The researcher decides where the experiment will take place, at what time, with which participants, in what circumstances,  using a standardized procedure.

• Field experiments are conducted in the everyday (natural) environment of the participants. The experimenter still manipulates the IV, but in a real-life setting. It may be possible to control extraneous variables, though such control is more difficult than in a lab experiment.
• Natural experiments are when a naturally occurring IV is investigated that isn’t deliberately manipulated, it exists anyway. Participants are not randomly allocated, and the natural event may only occur rarely.

Case studies are in-depth investigations of a person, group, event, or community. It uses information from a range of sources, such as from the person concerned and also from their family and friends.

Many techniques may be used such as interviews, psychological tests, observations and experiments. Case studies are generally longitudinal: in other words, they follow the individual or group over an extended period of time. 

Case studies are widely used in psychology and among the best-known ones carried out were by Sigmund Freud . He conducted very detailed investigations into the private lives of his patients in an attempt to both understand and help them overcome their illnesses.

Case studies provide rich qualitative data and have high levels of ecological validity. However, it is difficult to generalize from individual cases as each one has unique characteristics.

Correlational Studies

Correlation means association; it is a measure of the extent to which two variables are related. One of the variables can be regarded as the predictor variable with the other one as the outcome variable.

Correlational studies typically involve obtaining two different measures from a group of participants, and then assessing the degree of association between the measures. 

The predictor variable can be seen as occurring before the outcome variable in some sense. It is called the predictor variable, because it forms the basis for predicting the value of the outcome variable.

Relationships between variables can be displayed on a graph or as a numerical score called a correlation coefficient.

• If an increase in one variable tends to be associated with an increase in the other, then this is known as a positive correlation .
• If an increase in one variable tends to be associated with a decrease in the other, then this is known as a negative correlation .
• A zero correlation occurs when there is no relationship between variables.

After looking at the scattergraph, if we want to be sure that a significant relationship does exist between the two variables, a statistical test of correlation can be conducted, such as Spearman’s rho.

The test will give us a score, called a correlation coefficient . This is a value between 0 and 1, and the closer to 1 the score is, the stronger the relationship between the variables. This value can be both positive e.g. 0.63, or negative -0.63.

A correlation between variables, however, does not automatically mean that the change in one variable is the cause of the change in the values of the other variable. A correlation only shows if there is a relationship between variables.

Correlation does not always prove causation, as a third variable may be involved. 

Interview Methods

Interviews are commonly divided into two types: structured and unstructured.

A fixed, predetermined set of questions is put to every participant in the same order and in the same way. 

Responses are recorded on a questionnaire, and the researcher presets the order and wording of questions, and sometimes the range of alternative answers.

The interviewer stays within their role and maintains social distance from the interviewee.

There are no set questions, and the participant can raise whatever topics he/she feels are relevant and ask them in their own way. Questions are posed about participants’ answers to the subject

Unstructured interviews are most useful in qualitative research to analyze attitudes and values.

Though they rarely provide a valid basis for generalization, their main advantage is that they enable the researcher to probe social actors’ subjective point of view. 

Questionnaire Method

Questionnaires can be thought of as a kind of written interview. They can be carried out face to face, by telephone, or post.

The choice of questions is important because of the need to avoid bias or ambiguity in the questions, ‘leading’ the respondent or causing offense.

• Open questions are designed to encourage a full, meaningful answer using the subject’s own knowledge and feelings. They provide insights into feelings, opinions, and understanding. Example: “How do you feel about that situation?”
• Closed questions can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” or specific information, limiting the depth of response. They are useful for gathering specific facts or confirming details. Example: “Do you feel anxious in crowds?”

Its other practical advantages are that it is cheaper than face-to-face interviews and can be used to contact many respondents scattered over a wide area relatively quickly.

Observations

There are different types of observation methods :

• Covert observation is where the researcher doesn’t tell the participants they are being observed until after the study is complete. There could be ethical problems or deception and consent with this particular observation method.
• Overt observation is where a researcher tells the participants they are being observed and what they are being observed for.
• Controlled : behavior is observed under controlled laboratory conditions (e.g., Bandura’s Bobo doll study).
• Natural : Here, spontaneous behavior is recorded in a natural setting.
• Participant : Here, the observer has direct contact with the group of people they are observing. The researcher becomes a member of the group they are researching.  
• Non-participant (aka “fly on the wall): The researcher does not have direct contact with the people being observed. The observation of participants’ behavior is from a distance

Pilot Study

A pilot  study is a small scale preliminary study conducted in order to evaluate the feasibility of the key s teps in a future, full-scale project.

A pilot study is an initial run-through of the procedures to be used in an investigation; it involves selecting a few people and trying out the study on them. It is possible to save time, and in some cases, money, by identifying any flaws in the procedures designed by the researcher.

A pilot study can help the researcher spot any ambiguities (i.e. unusual things) or confusion in the information given to participants or problems with the task devised.

Sometimes the task is too hard, and the researcher may get a floor effect, because none of the participants can score at all or can complete the task – all performances are low.

The opposite effect is a ceiling effect, when the task is so easy that all achieve virtually full marks or top performances and are “hitting the ceiling”.

Research Design

In cross-sectional research , a researcher compares multiple segments of the population at the same time

Sometimes, we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time.

In cohort studies , the participants must share a common factor or characteristic such as age, demographic, or occupation. A cohort study is a type of longitudinal study in which researchers monitor and observe a chosen population over an extended period.

Triangulation means using more than one research method to improve the study’s validity.

Reliability

Reliability is a measure of consistency, if a particular measurement is repeated and the same result is obtained then it is described as being reliable.

• Test-retest reliability :  assessing the same person on two different occasions which shows the extent to which the test produces the same answers.
• Inter-observer reliability : the extent to which there is an agreement between two or more observers.

Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis is a statistical procedure used to combine and synthesize findings from multiple independent studies to estimate the average effect size for a particular research question.

Meta-analysis goes beyond traditional narrative reviews by using statistical methods to integrate the results of several studies, leading to a more objective appraisal of the evidence.

This is done by looking through various databases, and then decisions are made about what studies are to be included/excluded.

• Strengths : Increases the conclusions’ validity as they’re based on a wider range.
• Weaknesses : Research designs in studies can vary, so they are not truly comparable.

Peer Review

A researcher submits an article to a journal. The choice of the journal may be determined by the journal’s audience or prestige.

The journal selects two or more appropriate experts (psychologists working in a similar field) to peer review the article without payment. The peer reviewers assess: the methods and designs used, originality of the findings, the validity of the original research findings and its content, structure and language.

Feedback from the reviewer determines whether the article is accepted. The article may be: Accepted as it is, accepted with revisions, sent back to the author to revise and re-submit or rejected without the possibility of submission.

The editor makes the final decision whether to accept or reject the research report based on the reviewers comments/ recommendations.

Peer review is important because it prevent faulty data from entering the public domain, it provides a way of checking the validity of findings and the quality of the methodology and is used to assess the research rating of university departments.

Peer reviews may be an ideal, whereas in practice there are lots of problems. For example, it slows publication down and may prevent unusual, new work being published. Some reviewers might use it as an opportunity to prevent competing researchers from publishing work.

Some people doubt whether peer review can really prevent the publication of fraudulent research.

The advent of the internet means that a lot of research and academic comment is being published without official peer reviews than before, though systems are evolving on the internet where everyone really has a chance to offer their opinions and police the quality of research.

Types of Data

• Quantitative data is numerical data e.g. reaction time or number of mistakes. It represents how much or how long, how many there are of something. A tally of behavioral categories and closed questions in a questionnaire collect quantitative data.
• Qualitative data is virtually any type of information that can be observed and recorded that is not numerical in nature and can be in the form of written or verbal communication. Open questions in questionnaires and accounts from observational studies collect qualitative data.
• Primary data is first-hand data collected for the purpose of the investigation.
• Secondary data is information that has been collected by someone other than the person who is conducting the research e.g. taken from journals, books or articles.

Validity means how well a piece of research actually measures what it sets out to, or how well it reflects the reality it claims to represent.

Validity is whether the observed effect is genuine and represents what is actually out there in the world.

• Concurrent validity is the extent to which a psychological measure relates to an existing similar measure and obtains close results. For example, a new intelligence test compared to an established test.
• Face validity : does the test measure what it’s supposed to measure ‘on the face of it’. This is done by ‘eyeballing’ the measuring or by passing it to an expert to check.
• Ecological validit y is the extent to which findings from a research study can be generalized to other settings / real life.
• Temporal validity is the extent to which findings from a research study can be generalized to other historical times.

Features of Science

• Paradigm – A set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within a scientific discipline.
• Paradigm shift – The result of the scientific revolution: a significant change in the dominant unifying theory within a scientific discipline.
• Objectivity – When all sources of personal bias are minimised so not to distort or influence the research process.
• Empirical method – Scientific approaches that are based on the gathering of evidence through direct observation and experience.
• Replicability – The extent to which scientific procedures and findings can be repeated by other researchers.
• Falsifiability – The principle that a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it admits the possibility of being proved untrue.

Statistical Testing

A significant result is one where there is a low probability that chance factors were responsible for any observed difference, correlation, or association in the variables tested.

If our test is significant, we can reject our null hypothesis and accept our alternative hypothesis.

If our test is not significant, we can accept our null hypothesis and reject our alternative hypothesis. A null hypothesis is a statement of no effect.

In Psychology, we use p < 0.05 (as it strikes a balance between making a type I and II error) but p < 0.01 is used in tests that could cause harm like introducing a new drug.

A type I error is when the null hypothesis is rejected when it should have been accepted (happens when a lenient significance level is used, an error of optimism).

A type II error is when the null hypothesis is accepted when it should have been rejected (happens when a stringent significance level is used, an error of pessimism).

Ethical Issues

• Informed consent is when participants are able to make an informed judgment about whether to take part. It causes them to guess the aims of the study and change their behavior.
• To deal with it, we can gain presumptive consent or ask them to formally indicate their agreement to participate but it may invalidate the purpose of the study and it is not guaranteed that the participants would understand.
• Deception should only be used when it is approved by an ethics committee, as it involves deliberately misleading or withholding information. Participants should be fully debriefed after the study but debriefing can’t turn the clock back.
• All participants should be informed at the beginning that they have the right to withdraw if they ever feel distressed or uncomfortable.
• It causes bias as the ones that stayed are obedient and some may not withdraw as they may have been given incentives or feel like they’re spoiling the study. Researchers can offer the right to withdraw data after participation.
• Participants should all have protection from harm . The researcher should avoid risks greater than those experienced in everyday life and they should stop the study if any harm is suspected. However, the harm may not be apparent at the time of the study.
• Confidentiality concerns the communication of personal information. The researchers should not record any names but use numbers or false names though it may not be possible as it is sometimes possible to work out who the researchers were.

80 fascinating psychology research questions for your next project

Last updated

15 February 2024

Reviewed by

Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L

Short on time? Get an AI generated summary of this article instead

Psychology research is essential for furthering our understanding of human behavior and improving the diagnosis and treatment of psychological conditions.

When psychologists know more about how different social and cultural factors influence how humans act, think, and feel, they can recommend improvements to practices in areas such as education, sport, healthcare, and law enforcement.

Below, you will find 80 research question examples across 16 branches of psychology. First, though, let’s look at some tips to help you select a suitable research topic.

• How to choose a good psychology research topic

Psychology has many branches that break down further into topics. Choosing a topic for your psychology research paper can be daunting because there are so many to choose from. It’s an important choice, as the topic you select will open up a range of questions to explore.

The tips below can help you find a psychology research topic that suits your skills and interests.

Tip #1: Select a topic that interests you

Passion and interest should fuel every research project. A topic that fascinates you will most likely interest others as well. Think about the questions you and others might have and decide on the issues that matter most. Draw on your own interests, but also keep your research topical and relevant to others.

Don’t limit yourself to a topic that you already know about. Instead, choose one that will make you want to know more and dig deeper. This will keep you motivated and excited about your research.

Tip #2: Choose a topic with a manageable scope

If your topic is too broad, you can get overwhelmed by the amount of information available and have trouble maintaining focus. On the other hand, you may find it difficult to find enough information if you choose a topic that is too narrow.

To determine if the topic is too broad or too narrow, start researching as early as possible. If you find there’s an overwhelming amount of research material, you’ll probably need to narrow the topic down. For example, instead of researching the general population, it might be easier to focus on a specific age group. Ask yourself what area of the general topic interests you most and focus on that.

If your scope is too narrow, try to generalize or focus on a larger related topic. Expand your search criteria or select additional databases for information. Consider if the topic is too new to have much information published on it as well.

Tip #3: Select a topic that will produce useful and relevant insights

Doing some preliminary research will reveal any existing research on the topic. If there is existing research, will you be able to produce new insights? You might need to focus on a different area or see if the existing research has limitations that you can overcome.

Bear in mind that finding new information from which to draw fresh insights may be impossible if your topic has been over-researched.

You’ll also need to consider whether your topic is relevant to current trends and needs. For example, researching psychology topics related to social media use may be highly relevant today.

• 80 psychology research topics and questions

Psychology is a broad subject with many branches and potential areas of study. Here are some of them:

Developmental

Personality

Experimental

Organizational

Educational

Neuropsychology

Controversial topics

Below we offer some suggestions on research topics and questions that can get you started. Keep in mind that these are not all-inclusive but should be personalized to fit the theme of your paper.

Social psychology research topics and questions

Social psychology has roots as far back as the 18th century. In simple terms, it’s the study of how behavior is influenced by the presence and behavior of others. It is the science of finding out who we are, who we think we are, and how our perceptions affect ourselves and others. It looks at personalities, relationships, and group behavior.

Here are some potential research questions and paper titles for this topic:

How does social media use impact perceptions of body image in male adolescents?

2. Is childhood bullying a risk factor for social anxiety in adults?

Is homophobia in individuals caused by genetic or environmental factors?

What is the most important psychological predictor of a person’s willingness to donate to charity?

Does a person’s height impact how other people perceive them? If so, how?

Cognitive psychology research questions

Cognitive psychology is the branch that focuses on the interactions of thinking, emotion, creativity, and problem-solving. It also explores the reasons humans think the way they do.

This topic involves exploring how people think by measuring intelligence, thoughts, and cognition. 

Here are some research question ideas:

6. Is there a link between chronic stress and memory function?

7. Can certain kinds of music trigger memories in people with memory loss?

8. Do remote meetings impact the efficacy of team decision-making?

9. Do word games and puzzles slow cognitive decline in adults over the age of 80?

10. Does watching television impact a child’s reading ability?

Developmental psychology research questions

Developmental psychology is the study of how humans grow and change over their lifespan. It usually focuses on the social, emotional, and physical development of babies and children, though it can apply to people of all ages. Developmental psychology is important for understanding how we learn, mature, and adapt to changes.

Here are some questions that might inspire your research:

11. Does grief accelerate the aging process?

12. How do parent–child attachment patterns influence the development of emotion regulation in teenagers?

13. Does bilingualism affect cognitive decline in adults over the age of 70?

14. How does the transition to adulthood impact decision-making abilities

15. How does early exposure to music impact mental health and well-being in school-aged children?

Personality psychology research questions

Personality psychology studies personalities, how they develop, their structures, and the processes that define them. It looks at intelligence, disposition, moral beliefs, thoughts, and reactions.

The goal of this branch of psychology is to scientifically interpret the way personality patterns manifest into an individual’s behaviors. Here are some example research questions:

16. Nature vs. nurture: Which impacts personality development the most?

17. The role of genetics on personality: Does an adopted child take on their biological parents’ personality traits?

18. How do personality traits influence leadership styles and effectiveness in organizational settings?

19. Is there a relationship between an individual’s personality and mental health?

20. Can a chronic illness affect your personality?

Abnormal psychology research questions

As the name suggests, abnormal psychology is a branch that focuses on abnormal behavior and psychopathology (the scientific study of mental illness or disorders).

Abnormal behavior can be challenging to define. Who decides what is “normal”? As such, psychologists in this area focus on the level of distress that certain behaviors may cause, although this typically involves studying mental health conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and phobias.

Here are some questions to consider:

21. How does technology impact the development of social anxiety disorder?

22. What are the factors behind the rising incidence of eating disorders in adolescents?

23. Are mindfulness-based interventions effective in the treatment of PTSD?

24. Is there a connection between depression and gambling addiction?

25. Can physical trauma cause psychopathy?

Clinical psychology research questions

Clinical psychology deals with assessing and treating mental illness or abnormal or psychiatric behaviors. It differs from abnormal psychology in that it focuses more on treatments and clinical aspects, while abnormal psychology is more behavioral focused.

This is a specialty area that provides care and treatment for complex mental health conditions. This can include treatment, not only for individuals but for couples, families, and other groups. Clinical psychology also supports communities, conducts research, and offers training to promote mental health. This category is very broad, so there are lots of topics to explore.

Below are some example research questions to consider:

26. Do criminals require more specific therapies or interventions?

27. How effective are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating mental health disorders?

28. Are there any disadvantages to humanistic therapy?

29. Can group therapy be more beneficial than one-on-one therapy sessions?

30. What are the factors to consider when selecting the right treatment plan for patients with anxiety?

Experimental psychology research questions

Experimental psychology deals with studies that can prove or disprove a hypothesis. Psychologists in this field use scientific methods to collect data on basic psychological processes such as memory, cognition, and learning. They use this data to test the whys and hows of behavior and how outside factors influence its creation.

Areas of interest in this branch relate to perception, memory, emotion, and sensation. The below are example questions that could inspire your own research:

31. Do male or female parents/carers have a more calming influence on children?

32. Will your preference for a genre of music increase the more you listen to it?

33. What are the psychological effects of posting on social media vs. not posting?

34. How is productivity affected by social connection?

35. Is cheating contagious?

Organizational psychology research questions

Organizational psychology studies human behavior in the workplace. It is most frequently used to evaluate an employee, group, or a company’s organizational dynamics. Researchers aim to isolate issues and identify solutions.

This area of study can be beneficial to both employees and employers since the goal is to improve the overall work environment and experience. Researchers apply psychological principles and findings to recommend improvements in performance, communication, job satisfaction, and safety. 

Some potential research questions include the following:

36. How do different leadership styles affect employee morale?

37. Do longer lunch breaks boost employee productivity?

38. Is gender an antecedent to workplace stress?

39. What is the most effective way to promote work–life balance among employees?

40. How do different organizational structures impact the effectiveness of communication, decision-making, and productivity?

Forensic psychology research questions

Some questions to consider exploring in this branch of psychology are:

41. How does incarceration affect mental health?

42. Is childhood trauma a driver for criminal behavior during adulthood?

43. Are people with mental health conditions more likely to be victims of crimes?

44. What are the drivers of false memories, and how do they impact the justice system?

45. Is the media responsible for copycat crimes?

Educational psychology research questions

Educational psychology studies children in an educational setting. It covers topics like teaching methods, aptitude assessment, self-motivation, technology, and parental involvement.

Research in this field of psychology is vital for understanding and optimizing learning processes. It informs educators about cognitive development, learning styles, and effective teaching strategies.

Here are some example research questions:

46. Are different teaching styles more beneficial for children at different times of the day?

47. Can listening to classical music regularly increase a student’s test scores?

48. Is there a connection between sugar consumption and knowledge retention in students?

49. Does sleep duration and quality impact academic performance?

50. Does daily meditation at school influence students’ academic performance and mental health?

Sports psychology research question examples

Sport psychology aims to optimize physical performance and well-being in athletes by using cognitive and behavioral practices and interventions. Some methods include counseling, training, and clinical interventions.

Research in this area is important because it can improve team and individual performance, resilience, motivation, confidence, and overall well-being

Here are some research question ideas for you to consider:

51. How can a famous coach affect a team’s performance?

52. How can athletes control negative emotions in violent or high-contact sports?

53. How does using social media impact an athlete’s performance and well-being?

54. Can psychological interventions help with injury rehabilitation?

55. How can mindfulness practices boost sports performance?

Cultural psychology research question examples

The premise of this branch of psychology is that mind and culture are inseparable. In other words, people are shaped by their cultures, and their cultures are shaped by them. This can be a complex interaction.

Cultural psychology is vital as it explores how cultural context shapes individuals’ thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions. It provides insights into diverse perspectives, promoting cross-cultural understanding and reducing biases.

Here are some ideas that you might consider researching:

56. Are there cultural differences in how people perceive and deal with pain?

57. Are different cultures at increased risk of developing mental health conditions?

58. Are there cultural differences in coping strategies for stress?

59. Do our different cultures shape our personalities?

60. How does multi-generational culture influence family values and structure?

Health psychology research question examples

Health psychology is a crucial field of study. Understanding how psychological factors influence health behaviors, adherence to medical treatments, and overall wellness enables health experts to develop effective interventions and preventive measures, ultimately improving health outcomes.

Health psychology also aids in managing stress, promoting healthy behaviors, and optimizing mental health, fostering a holistic approach to well-being.

Here are five ideas to inspire research in this field:

61. How can health psychology interventions improve lifestyle behaviors to prevent cardiovascular diseases?

62. What role do social norms play in vaping among adolescents?

63. What role do personality traits play in the development and management of chronic pain conditions?

64. How do cultural beliefs and attitudes influence health-seeking behaviors in diverse populations?

65. What are the psychological factors influencing the adherence to preventive health behaviors, such as vaccination and regular screenings?

Neuropsychology research paper question examples

Neuropsychology research explores how a person’s cognition and behavior are related to their brain and nervous system. Researchers aim to advance the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and cognitive effects of neurological disorders.

Researchers may work with children facing learning or developmental challenges, or with adults with declining cognitive abilities. They may also focus on injuries or illnesses of the brain, such as traumatic brain injuries, to determine the effect on cognitive and behavioral functions.

Neuropsychology informs diagnosis and treatment strategies for conditions such as dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and psychiatric disorders. Understanding the neural basis of behavior enhances our ability to optimize cognitive functioning, rehabilitate people with brain injuries, and improve patient care.

Here are some example research questions to consider:

66. How do neurotransmitter imbalances in specific brain regions contribute to mood disorders such as depression?

67. How can a traumatic brain injury affect memory?

68. What neural processes underlie attention deficits in people with ADHD?

69. Do medications affect the brain differently after a traumatic brain injury?

70. What are the behavioral effects of prolonged brain swelling?

Psychology of religion research question examples

The psychology of religion is a field that studies the interplay between belief systems, spirituality, and mental well-being. It explores the application of the psychological methods and interpretive frameworks of religious traditions and how they relate to both religious and non-religious people.

Psychology of religion research contributes to a holistic understanding of human experiences. It fosters cultural competence and guides therapeutic approaches that respect diverse spiritual beliefs.

Here are some example research questions in this field:

71. What impact does a religious upbringing have on a child’s self-esteem?

72. How do religious beliefs shape decision-making and perceptions of morality?

73. What is the impact of religious indoctrination?

74. Is there correlation between religious and mindfulness practices?

75. How does religious affiliation impact attitudes towards mental health treatment and help-seeking behaviors?

Controversial topics in psychology research question examples

Some psychology topics don’t fit into any of the subcategories above, but they may still be worthwhile topics to consider. These topics are the ones that spark interest, conversation, debate, and disagreement. They are often inspired by current issues and assess the validity of older research.

Consider some of these research question examples:

76. How does the rise in on-screen violence impact behavior in adolescents.

77. Should access to social media platforms be restricted in children under the age of 12 to improve mental health?

78. Are prescription mental health medications over-prescribed in older adults? If so, what are the effects of this?

79. Cognitive biases in AI: what are the implications for decision-making?

80. What are the psychological and ethical implications of using virtual reality in exposure therapy for treating trauma-related conditions?

• Inspiration for your next psychology research project

You can choose from a diverse range of research questions that intersect and overlap across various specialties.

From cognitive psychology to clinical studies, each inquiry contributes to a deeper understanding of the human mind and behavior. Importantly, the relevance of these questions transcends individual disciplines, as many findings offer insights applicable across multiple areas of study.

As health trends evolve and societal needs shift, new topics emerge, fueling continual exploration and discovery. Diving into this ever-changing and expanding area of study enables you to navigate the complexities of the human experience and pave the way for innovative solutions to the challenges of tomorrow.

Should you be using a customer insights hub?

Do you want to discover previous research faster?

Do you share your research findings with others?

Do you analyze research data?

Start for free today, add your research, and get to key insights faster

Editor’s picks

Last updated: 18 April 2023

Last updated: 27 February 2023

Last updated: 22 August 2024

Last updated: 5 February 2023

Last updated: 16 August 2024

Last updated: 9 March 2023

Last updated: 30 April 2024

Last updated: 12 December 2023

Last updated: 11 March 2024

Last updated: 4 July 2024

Last updated: 6 March 2024

Last updated: 5 March 2024

Last updated: 13 May 2024

Latest articles

Related topics, .css-je19u9{-webkit-align-items:flex-end;-webkit-box-align:flex-end;-ms-flex-align:flex-end;align-items:flex-end;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;row-gap:0;text-align:center;max-width:671px;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}}@media (max-width: 799px){.css-je19u9{max-width:400px;}.css-je19u9>span{white-space:pre;}} decide what to .css-1kiodld{max-height:56px;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}@media (max-width: 1079px){.css-1kiodld{display:none;}} build next, decide what to build next, log in or sign up.

Get started for free

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• Published: 22 August 2024

From the lab to a career in education research

• Teresa Schubert 1  

Nature Reviews Psychology ( 2024 ) Cite this article

46 Accesses

6 Altmetric

Metrics details

• Scientific community

Nature Reviews Psychology is interviewing individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology who pursued non-academic careers. We spoke with Dominic Gibson about his journey from a post-doctoral fellow to a senior researcher.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles

55,14 € per year

only 4,60 € per issue

Buy this article

• Purchase on SpringerLink
• Instant access to full article PDF

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Nature Reviews Psychology https://www.nature.com/nrpsychol/

Teresa Schubert

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Teresa Schubert .

Ethics declarations

Competing interests.

T.S. is employed by Springer Nature, the publisher of Nature Reviews Psychology .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article.

Schubert, T. From the lab to a career in education research. Nat Rev Psychol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-024-00356-3

Download citation

Published : 22 August 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-024-00356-3

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

• Bipolar Disorder
• Therapy Center
• When To See a Therapist
• Types of Therapy
• Best Online Therapy
• Best Couples Therapy
• Managing Stress
• Sleep and Dreaming
• Understanding Emotions
• Self-Improvement
• Healthy Relationships
• Student Resources
• Personality Types
• Sweepstakes
• Guided Meditations
• Verywell Mind Insights
• 2024 Verywell Mind 25
• Mental Health in the Classroom
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Review Board
• Crisis Support

80+ Jobs in Psychology to Consider

Careers and Roles for Psychology Majors

Psychology Jobs in Therapy and Research

Applied psychology jobs, psychology jobs in the workplace, psychology jobs in healthcare, psychology jobs in education.

• More Options
• Finding the Right Career

The field of psychology offers numerous career paths both traditional (i.e., clinical and counseling) and specialized (i.e., aviation, traffic, workplace, etc.). Look through this partial list of psychology careers to narrow down your options to those that interest you most. Some of these career options are purely psychology; others are less related but still rely on the knowledge and skills acquired while earning a psychology degree .

As of 2019 , the demand for psychologists is expected to grow by 14% through the year 2026.

Art Therapist

Art therapists utilize the expressive and creative arts to help clients cope with psychological distress and to enhance emotional well-being. People who work in this field are trained in both psychotherapy and art. By using art, clients can communicate feelings, express creativity, explore different aspects, of personality, and cope with stress.

Art therapy is often used in a variety of situations, including:

• Adults suffering from chronic or severe stress
• Children with disabilities
• People who have suffered brain injuries
• People who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychologists  assess, diagnose, and treat clients struggling with psychological disorders. These professionals typically work in hospital settings, mental health clinics, or private practices.

Although clinical psychology is the single largest employment area within the field of psychology, there are still plenty of jobs available for qualified professionals. In order to become a clinical psychologist, you must have a doctoral-level degree in clinical psychology and most states require a minimum of a one-year internship.

Counselors help people with a wide variety of problems, including marriage, family, emotional, and substance use issues. While requirements vary, almost all states require at least a master's degree in order to become a licensed counselor. Typical work settings include schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, and mental health clinics.

Finding Your Niche

The best job for you is the one that you truly love, of course, whether it involves providing therapy, conducting research , or solving real-world problems. Before you decide on a career, think carefully about your goals, interests, and desired work setting.

Geropsychologist

As the population of older adults continues to grow, the demand for professionals to attend to their mental health needs also increases. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by the year 2030, 21% of the population will be age 65 or older.

"Geropsychologists do everything from keeping older adults mentally and physically healthy and vibrant to working with those who are frail and have cognitive impairments," explains Deborah DiGilio, director of APA's Office on Aging . Geropsychologists can work in a wide range of areas, from providing mental health services to aging adults to designing products that make life easier for the elderly.

Experimental Psychologist

Do you love creating psychology experiments?  Experimental psychologists  use scientific methods and design research studies that explore many different topics within psychology. Social behavior , cognitive processes, personality, and human development are just a few of the topics that experimental psychologists might investigate.

People working in this field often specialize in a particular area such as cognitive psychology, educational psychology, or personality psychology. They may also be employed in a variety of settings ranging from universities, government agencies, research centers, and nonprofit organizations.

Consumer Psychologist

As retailers become more concerned with attracting new customers, the need for psychologists to understand consumer behavior in order to develop effective marketing campaigns has grown.  Consumer psychologists  not only study why people purchase goods and services, but they also analyze how family, friends, culture, and media messages affect buying behavior.

Some tasks that a consumer psychologist might perform include:

• Working with consumer focus groups to determine how appealing a particular product might be
• Developing advertising and marketing campaigns to appeal to a target audience
• Conducting theoretical research on shopping and buying behavior

Forensic or Criminal Psychologist

Forensic psychologists  apply psychology to the fields of criminal investigation and law. This has rapidly become one of the hottest psychology careers thanks to numerous portrayals in popular movies, television programs, and books.

While the field may not be as glamorous as it is depicted in the media, forensic psychology is still an exciting career choice with a lot of potential for growth. These psychologists often work with other experts to scrutinize insurance claims, perform child custody evaluations, and investigate suspected child abuse.

If you are interested in this area of psychology, you might want to also consider the related field of criminal psychology.  Criminal psychologists  perform a variety of duties such as developing profiles of criminals, assessing convicted criminals to determine their risk of re-offending, and helping law enforcement catch online predators.

Engineering Psychologist

Engineering psychologists  use psychology to investigate how people interact with machines and other technology. These professionals use their understanding of the human mind and behavior to help design and improve technology, consumer products, work settings, and living environments.

For example, an engineering psychologist might work as part of a team to redesign a product to make it more efficient and easier to use in a work situation. Those working in academic settings report the lowest earnings, while those working in the private sector report higher salaries .

Sports Psychologists

Sports psychologists  focus on the psychological aspects of sports and athletics, including topics such as motivation, performance, and injury. The two major areas within sports psychology are centered on helping to improve athletic performance or using sports to improve mental and physical health.

Sports psychologists work in a wide variety of settings including universities, hospitals, athletic centers, private consulting practices, and research facilities.

Traffic Psychologist

Traffic psychology is an emerging field that involves applying psychological principles to understanding driver behavior. Some areas in this field include:

• Designing vehicles that are safer and more ergonomic
• Researching how people use transportation
• Searching for ways to improve traffic safety and prevent auto accidents
• Studying the relationship between driver behavior and traffic accidents

Traffic psychology often involves a multidisciplinary approach, combining fields such as social psychology, behavioral psychology, and cognitive psychology.

For example, traffic psychologists might assess how perception and cognition influence performance during a driving task. They might also look at how individual personality affects a driver's  emotions ,  attitudes , and risk-taking behavior while driving.

Career Counselor

Thanks to the rapidly changing job market, many people are searching for a new job in their chosen field or even changing careers entirely.  Career counselors  help individuals make career decisions and utilize tools including personality assessments, interest inventories, and other evaluation measures.

They often start by looking at a client's interests, job history, education, and skills in order to determine which careers are a good match. They also help clients work on building skills, practicing interviews, improving resumes, and locating job openings. Assisting clients who are dealing with job loss or employment-related stress is also common.

Aviation Psychologist

Aviation psychology is a relatively little-known subspecialty area of  human factors psychology that involves the study of pilots, air traffic controllers, and other flight crew members. People who work in this field perform a number of different duties, which may include:

• Assessing cabin safety
• Conducting research on aviation safety
• Designing flight decks
• Evaluating prospective employees
• Investigating aviation accidents
• Selecting and training pilots
• Training flight crews in communication strategies and ways to assist passengers with in-flight anxiety

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Industrial-organizational psychologists (also called I/O or I-O psychologists) focus on workplace behavior, often using psychological principles to increase worker productivity and select employees that are best suited for particular jobs. There are several different specialty areas within industrial-organizational psychology .

For example, some I/O psychologists train and assess employees, while others evaluate job candidates. While there are some job opportunities at the master's degree level, those with a doctoral-level degree in industrial-organizational psychology are in greater demand and command significantly higher salaries.

One sub-specialty area of the field involves working in human resources management to screen and hire job applicants. These professionals are often involved in designing and administering employment screening tests and selecting job candidates that are the best fit for particular positions within a company.

Genetic Counselor

Genetic counselors help provide information about genetic disorders to couples and families. These professionals typically have graduate training in both genetics and counseling, and many have undergraduate degrees in areas such as psychology, social work, biology, nursing, and public health.

Genetic counselors often work with a team of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and geneticists to offer support, guidance, and assistance to families who have a family member with a genetic disorder or who may be at risk of passing down an inherited disorder to their offspring.

Health Psychologist

Health psychologists  study how psychological, biological, and social factors influence health. Two important areas of health psychology include helping people avoid illness and promoting healthy behaviors. Educating people about the causes of illness and teaching healthier habits are just two things that a health psychologist might do on a regular basis.

These professionals often work in settings such as hospitals, universities, health care centers, and government agencies. Some of the job duties they may perform include helping people to lose weight, stop smoking, eat healthily, and decrease stress.

School Psychologist

School psychologists  work in educational settings to help children deal with emotional, academic, and social problems. Thanks to increased interest in the mental health of children and federal education legislation, school psychology has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing fields.

Special Education Teacher

While slightly outside of a traditional psychology career, the field of special education offers a great deal of opportunity for those who enjoy helping children. Special education teachers work with students with a variety of disabilities.

In order to become a special education teacher, you must have at least a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher training program in special education. Because of the increased enrollments in special education programs and a shortage of qualified teachers, demand is strong and expected to grow.

More Career Options in Psychology

Did one of the careers highlighted above catch your eye? Or are you still looking for something that matches your interests and goals? The specific career you pursue will depend largely on your educational background. Some entry-level jobs are open to those with an undergraduate degree in psychology, while others require advanced or graduate-level study.

The following are just a few of the many psychology-related job titles that you might want to explore. Some are directly in the field of psychology, while others require additional training in another field or specialty area.

In either case, having a solid understanding of the human mind and behavior can be beneficial in any of these careers:

• Academic advisor
• Advanced practice psychiatric nurse
• Advertising agent
• Animal researcher
• Animal trainer
• Case worker
• Child psychologist
• Childcare worker
• Cognitive psychologist
• College admissions counselor
• College admissions officer
• College recruiter
• Community counselor
• Comparative psychologist
• Correctional treatment specialist
• Counseling psychologist
• Criminal investigator
• Crisis counselor
• Customer service agent
• Developmental psychologist
• Education administrator
• Educational psychologist
• Elementary school teacher
• Employment interviewer
• Employment recruiter
• Environmental psychologist
• Family and marriage therapist
• Financial aid counselor
• Grief counselor
• Human factors psychologist
• Human resources manager
• Human resources specialist
• Library assistant
• Literary agent
• Market researcher
• Mental health coordinator
• Military psychologist
• Music therapist
• Neurologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Occupational therapist
• Police officer
• Probation officer
• Psychiatric aide
• Psychiatric social worker
• Psychiatric technician
• Psychiatrist
• Psychosocial rehabilitation worker
• Public opinion surveyor
• Public relations specialist
• Recreational therapist
• Rehabilitation counselor
• Research assistant
• School counselor
• Science writer
• Secondary school teacher
• Social psychologist
• Social services specialist
• Social worker
• Statistician
• Substance abuse counselor
• Technical writer
• University psychology professor
• Vocational rehabilitation counselor
• Youth counselor

Before You Choose a Career in Psychology

As you can see, employment opportunities in psychology are diverse. Some careers require only a bachelor's degree in psychology, while others require more advanced degrees such as a master's or doctorate degree.

Spend some time researching different options and learning more about what's required to enter into those fields. Ask yourself if you have the commitment and drive needed to pursue the necessary educational training.

As you examine the variety of psychology careers that are available, think about some of the following questions.

• How well does the career fit your personality?
• What kind of training and education are needed to enter the field?
• Are the average salaries in a given field satisfactory?
• What kinds of things do people in that particular career path do on a daily basis?
• Does the career sound interesting, challenging, and rewarding?

Finding the right career in psychology takes some careful planning. It is important to start thinking about what you might want to do early on. This way you can start planning your educational map in order to achieve your vocational goals.

The Takeaway

The job options listed here are just a few of the many different career paths available in psychology. Remember that no list of predicted "hot jobs" can ever highlight all of the many options that are available in psychology. The important thing is to pick a career that is right for you, your interests, and your long-term goals.

Martin L, Oepen R, Bauer K, et al. Creative arts interventions for stress management and prevention: A systematic review . Behav Sci (Basel) . 2018;8(2). doi:10.3390/bs8020028

Schouten KA, Van hooren S, Knipscheer JW, Kleber RJ, Hutschemaekers GJM. Trauma-focused art therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot study . J Trauma Dissociation . 2019;20(1):114-130. doi:10.1080/15299732.2018.1502712

American Psychological Association. Pursuing a Career in Clinical or Counseling Psychology .

U.S. Census Bureau. Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S. Population: 2014 to 2060 .

Hackett P, Schwarzenbach J, Jürgens U. Consumer Psychology: A Study Guide to Qualitative Research Methods . Opladen; Berlin; Toronto: Verlag Barbara Budrich. 2016. doi:10.2307/j.ctvddzsrf

American Psychological Association. All About Human Factors and Engineering .

Rossier, J. (2015). Personality Assessment and Career Interventions . In P. J. Hartung, M. L. Savickas, & W. B. Walsh (Eds.),  APA handbooks in psychology®. APA handbook of career intervention, Vol. 1. Foundations  (p. 327–350). American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/14438-018

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook .

Hartman, K & Stewart, T. Investing in Your College Education: Learning Strategies With Reading s. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning; 2010.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

• Psychology Programs

31 Awesome Careers With a Psychology Degree [2024 Updated]

Careers in psychology.

If you are wondering what careers are possible with a psychology degree, the short answer is that there are many. One of the benefits of having a psychology degree is that it prepares you for many different types of careers in many different fields of work. That’s due in part to the wide variety of knowledge and skills that one acquires while studying psychology.

It’s also due to the fact that so many different jobs depend on an understanding of human behavior on some level. Whether it’s working as a counseling psychologist, a forensic psychologist, a college professor, or something in between, a degree in psychology is a good way to prepare for many different fields of work.

Below is a list of 31 psychology careers you might pursue with a background in psychology.

Aviation Psychologist

Aviation psychologists combine their studies of human behavior and aviation to provide services to airports, airlines, and government agencies that make flying safer. This might include working for an airline to conduct behavioral assessments on pilots or devising stress tests for government agencies like the FAA, or aiding in the design of airports to facilitate improved travel.

As of June 2023, according to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an aviation psychologist is $93,038 per year .

Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselor

With a master’s degree in psychology , one can pursue a career as a behavioral disorder and mental health counselor . Counselors in this field treat people that have any number of mental health difficulties, from eating disorders and behavioral disorders (i.e., attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) to mood disorders (i.e., depression) and personality disorders (i.e., schizoaffective disorder).

Though the needs of each client might vary widely, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors approach treatment by evaluating their client’s needs, developing goals for treatment, and helping clients develop the skills they need to function better, among other things.

As of May 2023, workers in this field earn an average yearly wage of $80,698 .

Career Counselor

Career Counselors are professionals who are trained to assist people identify an area of the workforce or particular job that will be fulfilling to them based on their interests, goals, and abilities. Career Counselors work with individuals who are at a variety of life stages. They may be ready to enter a higher education program, seeking to change careers at midlife, or planning for a future job change to meet new goals.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for career counselors, as of May 2022, is $64,200 per year.

Case Manager

A career as a case manager can begin with as little as a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology . Workers in this field act as liaisons that coordinate services for people that cannot do so themselves, like children or the elderly. For example, a case manager might help an elderly client fill out paperwork for Medicaid and find financial assistance to pay for rent.

As of May 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the median annual salary for case managers is $74,240 .

Child Life Specialist

The primary role of a child life specialist is to prepare children and their families for major medical events like chronic illness or hospitalization. For example, they might teach pediatric patients coping strategies that help them deal with the stress of being severely ill. Child life specialists typically work in a hospital setting as a member of a larger medical team.

In general, child life specialists make between $46,000 and $71,000 per year, with the median falling at about $58,000, reported as of early 2023.

Child Protection Specialist

An entry-level position for people with a bachelor’s degree in psychology is a child protection specialist. These workers investigate reports of child neglect or abuse, usually on behalf of a state agency like Child Protective Services. In this role, child protection specialists interview families, assess the level of danger for the child, help families build skills to break the cycle of neglect, and work with law enforcement to remove children from abusive homes.

As of May 2023, PayScale reported that workers in this field earn an average of $53,842 per year.

Community Service Manager

A common line of work for individuals with a background in psychology is as a community service manager. In this position, workers coordinate with different stakeholders to improve the well being of different community members. For example, if homelessness is identified as a problem, a community service manager might spearhead the development of a program that helps homeless people find work or mental health care.

As of May 2022, the median yearly wage for this career is $74,200 .

Correctional Treatment Specialist

A correctional treatment specialist is responsible for evaluating people on probation or parole , with the specific goal of developing a rehabilitation plan aimed and helping the probationer or parolee to avoid further run-ins with the law. For example, they would play an important part in developing job training programs in prisons so individuals have skills that will help them gain employment upon their release.

According to a 2022 report by the Bureau of Labor statistics, correctional treatment specialists earn $64,920 per year , on average.

Counseling Psychologist

Counseling psychologists typically work in private practice or in an institutional setting where they provide counseling services to clients with mental health needs. This often takes the form of individual therapy to treat a host of mental disorders, from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder.

Through the counseling process, psychologists help their clients recognize the issues that are impacting their ability to function, identify strengths they can rely on to improve their life situation, and develop resources to cope with the difficulties that arise from having a mental health issue.

ZipRecruiter notes that counseling psychologists, as of May 2023, make on average $86,012 per year.

Developmental Psychologist

Typically, developmental psychologists are employed in the research sector, where they evaluate the processes involved in human development across the lifespan. In addition to exploring how things like behavior and personality develop in the childhood and adolescent years, psychologists that work in this field also examine topics related to adulthood like the development of relationships, aging, and death.

Some developmental psychologists work in a clinical capacity as well. For example, they might provide counseling services to developmentally disabled children or consult with other professionals to develop programs that help older adults stave off mental decline.

As of June 2023, developmental psychologists make an average of $81,360 per year.

Educational Counselor

An educational counselor is a highly trained psychological professional who provides a number of services to children, teachers and parents in a school setting to help students achieve academic and social success usually in an academic setting. An educational counselor spends most of their time providing direct services to the student.

While these services can vary quite a bit depending on the setting and a student’s needs, generally an educational counselor will provide services along three continuums: academic, social/developmental and career.

The median salary for educational counselors, as of May 2022, is $64,200 per year.

Family Therapist

A family therapist is a trained and credentialed psychotherapist with a masters or doctoral degree, plus a minimum of two years’ of clinically supervised experience. They are licensed to diagnose and treat mental health and substance abuse problems. Studies have shown that family therapists are often very helpful in the treatment of depression.

One of the core perspectives of a family therapist is based upon systems theory: no one individual operates in isolation; family members are interdependent and one person’s actions and behaviors influence those of another person within the family system.

Therefore, if one person changes, this change affects the other people within the system and the dynamics of their inter-personal relationships change accordingly. “Family” is defined as those people with whom a client has strong connections and feels supported by; they are not necessarily bound together by blood. A family therapist will treat individuals, couples or families.

According to ZipRecruiter, as of May 2023, the average salary for marriage and family therapist is $82.926 per year.

Forensic Psychologist

Typically, forensic psychologists have a master’s degree or doctorate in psychology with a specialization in forensics. This training allows workers in this field to assess individuals that are part of the legal system. This typically involves tasks like evaluating defendants to determine fitness for trial, consulting with law enforcement agencies on the potential characteristics and motivations of a criminal that’s being pursued.

Forensic psychologists also serve as an expert witness in court proceedings in which their testimony paints a picture of the defendant’s mental state or capacity.

According to Indeed, as of May 2023, forensic psychologists earn a median yearly wage of $104,907 .

Grief Counselor

Grief counselors specialize in counseling people that have experienced a loss, be that a spouse, a child, or another loved one. Typically, grief counseling is done in a one-on-one setting, though group therapy is common as well. The purpose of grief counseling is to help the bereaved work through their pain and emotions and return to normalcy.

According to Glassdoor, as of June 2023, the median annual wages for a grief counselor stood at $70,889 .

Guidance Counselor

A guidance counselor usually works in a high school to provide testing and support services for students to prepare for their post-secondary lives. For example, a guidance counselor might help a college-bound student to determine which college to apply to or help students that wish to join the military to fill out the proper paperwork or arrange a meeting with a local recruiter.

Guidance counselors earned an average of $64,200 per year as of May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Health Educator

The primary role of a health educator is to teach specific populations about health-related issues that impact them. For example, a health educator might work with teens to teach them about safe sex. Likewise, they might develop educational materials for people suffering from obesity about how to improve their diet.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2022 that the annual yearly salary for health educators was $66,710.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Though psychology is the study of human behavior on the individual level, industrial-organizational psychologists focus on human behavior within the context of organizations, most often, the workplace.

Industrial-organizational psychologists most often work in areas related to human performance, career development, organizational development, and similar topics, and use their knowledge to address workplace issues like improving employee morale, developing employee training and recruitment programs, and restructuring organizations to improve their efficacy.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that based on 2022 salary data industrial-organizational psychologists can expect to earn around $144,610 per year, on average.

Laboratory Assistant

Workers with a bachelor’s-level education in psychology may find many work opportunities as a laboratory assistant. Psychology research is a popular field for workers with more advanced education and experience, and they need assistants to help them conduct research into a variety of psychological topics.

Laboratory assistants might be responsible for anything from interviewing potential subjects for an experiment, managing the tasks related to the experiment itself, collecting and analyzing data, and writing reports on the findings of the research.

The median income for laboratory assistants, as of May 2023, is $51,913 , though the pay range extends from a low of $34,000 per year up to $70,000 per year.

Market Research Analyst

Businesses don’t just devise a new product and put it to market. Instead, the development of a product (or service) requires a lot of behind-the-scenes work from many different stakeholders. One important person in that process is the market research analyst .

These workers collect data to determine everything from what consumers want to buy, the specific age ranges of consumers that would be interested in a product, to how much a company should charge for a product or service. Market research analysts often collect and analyze data on a company’s competitors and the consumer marketplace as a whole as well.

The median salary for market research analysts, as of May 2022, is $78,880 per year.

Police Officer

In their duties to protect citizens and property, many police officers have to rely on psychological principles to not only understand the behavior of criminals but to communicate effectively with criminals and victims alike. As such, a background in psychology can be highly useful, particularly in high-stress situations like responding to emergency calls and interviewing suspects.

Likewise, the meticulous nature of collecting evidence and writing detailed reports are made easier with the research and reporting emphasis in undergraduate psychology studies. The median salary for police officers, as of May 2022, is $99,410 per year .

Probation Officer

The role of a probation officer is to oversee the rehabilitation of individuals that have been convicted of a crime.

The rehabilitation process involves many aspects that are closely related to psychology, including arranging basic social services like job training, providing educational opportunities for skill building like improved decision-making, and coordinating with other specialists like psychologists to ensure the client receives the support that’s needed to stay on the right side of the law.

As of May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, probation officers earn an average yearly wage of $64,920 .

Psychologist

Licensed psychologists must have a doctorate in psychology or a related field. This background in human behavior can be used for different types of careers as a psychologist. Some psychologists work directly with clients, providing therapeutic services to people with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders. This might be done in the context of individual therapy, couples therapy, or even group therapy.

Other psychologists focus on research and developing a better understanding of human behavior by conducting experiments, collecting data, interpreting data, and reporting their findings.

The wages psychologists earn is highly dependent upon their specific field of work and their level of education. However, the average yearly salary for all psychology occupations is $106,420 .

Psychiatric Technician

Working as a psychiatric technician usually requires just a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Typical job duties revolve around providing care for patients that have developmental disabilities, behavioral disorders or psychiatric illnesses.

Psychiatric technicians often monitor patients’ vital signs, provide assistance with activities of daily living (i.e., bathing, dressing, etc.), administer medication, and oversee therapeutic and recreational activities for patients. However, the duties performed by psychiatric technicians can vary widely, especially if they work in a specialized area like in a psychiatric ward in a hospital or an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2022, workers in this field make an average of just under $40,760 per year.

Psychometrist

Psychometrists are responsible for designing psychological assessments, administering them to clients, scoring them, and analyzing the data.

Primarily, psychometrists function to assist others in the field of psychology by providing them with evidence-based data on individual clients. This might be done by administering and scoring an intelligence test or an IQ test, which can be used to help develop a patient profile or treatment plan.

Likewise, information garnered from psychological assessments can be used to determine a person’s fitness for a particular job, such as a police officer or member of the military. Psychometrists are master’s level workers, with many holding a doctorate.

As of April 2023 the yearly pay range for workers in this field is anywhere from $31,000 to $62,000 .

Psychology Professor

Many people with a master’s degree or doctorate in psychology work in the education field as a psychology professor, most often after completing a career in another area of psychology.

For example, a clinical psychologist that practiced for 20 years can use their education and work experience to transition into teaching college students that wish to pursue a career in clinical psychology .

Likewise, someone with experience in experimental psychology can find employment teaching and conducting research at a college or university, again, drawing on their education, skills, and work experience to teach the next generation of psychologists.

According to the American Psychological Association, tenured psychology professors earn an average of $94,218 per year .

Rehabilitation Counselor

Rehabilitation counselors are tasked with assisting people that have developmental disabilities, emotional disabilities, or physical or mental disabilities to live as independently as possible. In that context, rehabilitation counselors provide counseling to individuals and groups that help clients build skills required to adjust to their disability.

Likewise, workers in this field are responsible for evaluating each client’s abilities, developing appropriate treatment plans, and making arrangements for clients to receive needed services, like occupational therapy, speech therapy, and job training.

As of May 2022, with a master’s degree in psychology, workers in this field earn an average annual wage of $40,020 .

Sports Psychologist

Sports psychologists are trained professionals who work with professional athletes, helping them to improve and maintain various aspects of their life and athletic performance. They usually work one to one with athletes in a variety of sporting fields, but may also be involved with specific teams or sports.

Sports Psychologists focus on providing therapy, physical training, and consulting with athletes who want to improve their performance. However, they also work with athletes off the field, assisting them with rehabilitation or helping them to transition out of athletics.

Some sports psychologists also specialize in research, studying new ways to help athletes achieve success. According to the American Psychological Association’s (APA), the salary for sports psychologists can vary significantly. Most professionals can expect to earn between $60,000 and $80,000 a year, with some annual salaries reaching $100,000.

Social and Human Services Assistant

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is good preparation for a career as a social and human services assistant . These workers provide critical services such that their clients have the resources they need to live healthy, comfortable lives.

Social and human services assistants often meet with clients to assess their needs, develop a treatment plan for their clients, and research services that might provide their clients needed assistance, like Medicaid or rent subsidies. Often, workers in this field must coordinate with other professionals, like social workers, to ensure the spectrum of the clients’ needs are met.

As of May 2022, social and human services assistants make, on average, $41,600 per year .

Social and Community Service Manager

The duties of a social and community service manager entail oversight of programs that provide social services and community services to the public.

Community service managers can draw on their studies in a psychology degree program to better serve their community through effective communication, robust research and writing skills, and the ability to analyze and interpret data to draw evidence-based conclusions.

Workers in this career field often conduct outreach activities to raise community awareness of critical problems or programs to address those problems, write grants to procure funding for community programs, and advocate for groups that are underserved as well. Workers in this field can expect to make $74,240 per year , on average.

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance abuse counselors typically need a master’s degree in psychology or a related field. This career draws on an understanding of human behavior, how substances like alcohol and drugs influence behavior, and effective methods to treat substance abuse in various populations.

Substance abuse counselors not only evaluate their clients’ current mental and physical state, but they also work with their client to explore their addiction, reasons why it might have begun, and the ramifications of their addiction on their social, mental, emotional, and physical health.

A significant part of this job is developing a treatment plan and working with the client to help them achieve the treatment goals.

According to Indeed, as of May 2023, substance abuse counselors earn a median annual wage of $57,210 .

Because there are heavy requirements for research and writing in most psychology undergraduate and graduate programs, they are ideally suited for preparation as a writer .

In this line of work, there are virtually unlimited possibilities, with some writers working for themselves and self-publishing books, eBooks, and so forth, while other writers work for publications creating content for a specific audience, like writing self-help articles on psychology-related topics. With such a variety of possible employment in this field, there is also a wide variety of salaries.

On average, writers earn $91,500 per year , though the pay range extends from a low of well under $40,000 per year to well over $150,000 per year.

Related Reading

• 12 Pros and Cons of Being a Social Psychologist
• 12 Pros and Cons of Being a Military Psychologist
• 8 Pros and Cons of Being a Forensic Psychologist
• Psychology PhD Programs That Don’t Require GRE
• NO GRE Online Masters in Mental Health Counseling
• Associate Psychology Degrees
• Bachelor's Psychology Degrees
• Master's Psychology Degrees
• PhD Psychology Degrees
• Online ABA Degrees
• Applied Psychology Degrees
• Business Psychology Degrees
• Behavioral Psychology Degrees
• CBT Therapist Degrees
• Child Psychology Degrees
• Child Therapist Degrees
• Child Life Specialst Degrees
• Criminal Psychology Degrees
• Counseling Psychology Degrees
• Developmental Psychology Degrees
• Educational Psychology Degrees
• Industrial Psychology Degrees
• Psychiatry Degrees
• Psychotherapy Degrees
• School Counseling Degrees
• Sports Psychology Degrees
• Trauma Psychology Degrees
• See More Programs
• Clinical Psychology Programs
• Cognitive Psychology Programs
• Forensic Psychology Programs
• Health Psychology Programs
• Mental Counseling Programs
• Social Psychology Programs
• Neuropsychologist Programs
• ABA Therapist Career
• Clinical Psychologist Career
• Cognitive Psychologist Career
• Counseling Psychologist Career
• Forensic Psychologist Career
• School Psychologist Career
• Social Psychologist Career

Research Associate - Psychology

Apply now Job no: 527007 Work type: full time Location: Sydney, NSW Categories: Post Doctoral Research Associate

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The School of Psychology at UNSW is the leading Psychology school in Australia. It is located in the Faculty of Science and is recognised nationally and internationally for its excellence in research and teaching.  It offers world class undergraduate psychology degrees, as well as postgraduate professional Masters training in Clinical and Forensic Psychology, an online Graduate Diploma program, and a PhD research program with over 120 students. 40 academic staff conduct experimental research in many areas of Psychology, including behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, perception, learning, memory and cognition, as well as health, social, developmental, clinical and forensic psychology. UNSW Psychology is the only School in the southern hemisphere ranked in the top 30 by discipline in the THES, QS and ARWU rankings. The School has well equipped research and teaching facilities and attracts outstanding staff and students from Australia and overseas. UNSW is located 5 km from the centre of Sydney and is close to other research centres, teaching hospitals, transport, shopping, and beaches.

For further information about the school please visit www.psychology.unsw.edu.au

The Research Associate is expected to contribute towards the research effort of UNSW and to develop their research expertise through the pursuit of defined projects relevant to their particular field of research.

The Research Associate will play a key role in conducting research within a three-year project titled “Building overall cognitive capability through attentional control”. The UNSW branch of this project will investigate the cognitive processes underlying adaptive attentional control for optimal task performance and will involve experiments which combine behavioural tasks with eye-tracking and electroencephalography (EEG), coupled with computational modelling of brain and behaviour.

About the role

• LEVEL A ($110k – $117k)  plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 2 years
• Full time (35 hours)

The role of Research Associate reports directly to Professor Mike Le Pelley and works closely with and indirectly reports to Professor Ben Newell and Dr Kelly Garner. This role has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:  

• Contribute as a team member in collaborative research with a focus to enhance the quality of research outcomes in the discipline area.
• Conduct research (as per the norms of the discipline) and enable research teams to create scholarly output that is recognised by peers.
• Undertake specific research projects under the guidance of a research leader and contribute to development of research activities.
• Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels and outlets.
• Undertake discipline-appropriate research activities, e.g. surveys, literature reviews, data gathering and/or recording of results using appropriate research methods.
• Participate in and present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
• Assist with the supervision of research students in the research area where required.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant (Selection Criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A PhD in psychology, cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high quality academic research and conduct independent research with limited supervision, particularly in cognitive psychology and ideally in the areas of visual attention, decision making, and learning.
• Demonstrated capability with programming languages, including programming experiments and analysis pipelines.
• Demonstrated experience in handling of large datasets and multivariate analysis or machine learning techniques.
• Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.
• Demonstrated experience in eye-tracking, electroencephalography (EEG), and/or computational modelling of brain/behaviour.
• Knowledge of open-science practices such as pre-registration, collaborative coding, and data-sharing.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact with a diverse range of stakeholders and students.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact: Mike Le Pelley or Kelly Garner E: [email protected] or [email protected]

Applications close: September 9 th , 2024

Find out more about working at UNSW at  www.unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Position Description

Advertised: 26 Aug 2024 AUS Eastern Standard Time Applications close: 09 Sep 2024 AUS Eastern Standard Time

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend

We will email you new jobs that match this search.

Great, we can send you jobs like this, if this is your first time signing up, please check your inbox to confirm your subscription.

The email address was invalid, please check for errors.

You must agree to the privacy statement

Search results

Expression of interest

Current opportunities.

Powered by PageUp

Refine Search

• Post Doctoral Research Associate 1
• Sydney, NSW 1
• full time 1

Faculty / Division

This page has been archived and is no longer being updated regularly.

Research careers with a bachelor’s degree in psychology

When I was earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology, classmates, professors, family members and guidance counselors would tell me that I needed a graduate degree if I wanted to get a job using my degree. At first, I believed them and planned for graduate school at some point in the future. But, before going to graduate school, I worked for four years in academic research. Below, I’ll describe some different research careers that someone with a bachelor’s degree in psychology could pursue and, most importantly given the difficulty some college graduates encounter finding jobs, what you need to do to prepare for each career.

Research assistant

The research assistant is the entry level research job for someone with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. This is where I started my career in academic research. These jobs can also be called a program assistant, research support specialist or research technician. Research assistants do the daily work that moves research projects forward. They interview people, go to participants’ homes to give surveys or collect behavioral observations in the laboratory or public places. Once they get the data, research assistants enter and store the data. Research assistants prepare Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications and conduct literature searches to inform the next step of the research.

To prepare for this job, look for opportunities to work on research projects at your school, particularly those that offer the chance to recruit people, interview participants and prepare IRB applications. Most schools provide course credit for these experiences and even require them so maximize this opportunity. Even if the work does not provide all the experience needed, there may be chances to expand your role once you are established. Anything that helps you cultivate your people skills will also be useful. Second, make sure you understand research methods. A research assistant has to be able to follow directions well and research methods courses teach the importance of consistent data collection and following study protocols precisely. While these skills can be transferred to other jobs, knowing how these skills work in research studies is what will prepare you for the research assistant jobs.

Research analyst

Another option for psychology majors is the data analyst, data manager or research analyst career. Sometimes these jobs are called research assistants but involve work with data. These jobs involve managing data including making sure it is collected and entered correctly. Data analysts run statistical analyses to answer hypotheses and prepare reports. This work requires working with stakeholders from the principle investigator of the study to community partners and determining how to make the data and analyses meet their needs.

To prepare for this job, an interest in computer science or statistics would be very helpful. Taking more statistics, computer science, health informatics or database management classes would give you the additional skills and knowledge for these jobs. Make sure to get experience with statistical software such as the Statistics Program for the Social Sciences or the Statistical Analysis Software. Typically, you will need some amount of experience so look for internships at your school or in industry where you can actually practice the skills learned in the classroom. Working as a research assistant after graduation is another option for gaining experience but look for jobs with opportunities to eventually analyze data.

Research coordinator

Research coordinators oversee the operations of a study, supervising research assistants and data analysts, ensuring timelines are met and deliverables such as reports and presentations are completed. They also make sure study procedures meet federal and state regulatory guidelines. Some may work at IRBs, managing and triaging applications. These positions are also called research managers or project managers. 

If you are interested in becoming a research coordinator, seek out opportunities to lead a research project while in college. A senior thesis is a good example. You will also need several years of experience as a research assistant or data analyst and try to seek out opportunities to lead projects where you have to supervise others or direct their work. Good management skills are a must for these positions.

Finding research jobs

Most of these research positions can be found at universities, community colleges and large non-profits so make sure to check their job listings including in nonpsychology departments and network with people you know at an institution. Government agencies are often looking for research analysts or data managers and be sure to check federal, state and local (county, city) governments. Private industry usually employs research assistants and data analysts. You may initially have to do contract or part-time work before finding a permanent, full-time position. Regardless of which path or industry you choose, good preparation while in school is crucial.

Abel, J.R., Deitz, R., & Su, Y. (2014). Are recent college graduates finding good jobs? Current Issues in Economics and Finance, 20 (1), 1-8.

O*Net OnLine (n.d.). Retrieved Nov. 19, 2016 from http://www.onetonline.org/ .

About the author

Why Leaders Disregard Data in Return-to-Office Decisions

New research shows biased thinking affecting leadership in return to office..

Posted August 26, 2024 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

• RTO mandates often stem from control dynamics, showing no proven link to improved financial performance.
• Forced RTO policies lead to declining employee satisfaction and higher attrition, contradicting their intent.
• Flexible work drives better financial growth and engagement, outperforming companies with strict RTO mandates.

It seems like every day a new headline flashes across our screens: Another company is rolling back the clock on employee flexibility, calling workers back to the office for three, four, or even five days a week, as Boeing announced. Company leaders justify these decisions with the mantra of boosting productivity and enhancing company bottom lines. This trend has long piqued my curiosity as a hybrid work expert. That’s because we’ve seen increasing evidence that highlights the myriad benefits of workplace flexibility, not just in enhancing productivity but also in bolstering employee engagement and catalyzing company growth.

However, recent research from a professor of business administration at the University of Pittsburgh, Mark Ma, and his graduate student, Yuye Ding, uncovers the real reasons that so many leaders disregard all the data in their return-to-office (RTO) decisions. This study uncovers a startling reality: RTO decisions stem less from concrete evidence or a belief in enhancing firm value and more from managerial control dynamics and using employees as scapegoats for unsatisfactory firm performance.

Behind the Facade of RTO Decisions

The investigation focused on Standard and Poor’s (S&P) 500 firms with RTO mandates, offering a detailed analysis of the determinants and consequences of these policies. The study examined three potential reasons for RTO mandates.

The first hypothesis scrutinized in Dr. Ma's study addresses the most frequently cited justification for RTO mandates by executives: the belief that these mandates are crucial for enhancing employee productivity, improving overall firm performance, and, ultimately, increasing firm value. However, the study's findings present a stark contradiction to this widely held narrative. Conventional wisdom would suggest that CEOs with substantial stock ownership would naturally favor any policy, such as RTO mandates, that they believe would enhance the value of their firms. Yet, the researchers uncovered no significant correlation between the level of stock ownership by CEOs and the likelihood of implementing RTO mandates. This lack of correlation is particularly striking, as it suggests that the decision to mandate RTO is not predominantly influenced by a belief in its financial benefits, at least not in the way executives often claim.

Second, the study explores an alternative, more Machiavellian explanation for the persistence of RTO mandates, suggesting that managers might employ them as a strategic tool to divert blame for poor firm performance. This perspective posits that RTO mandates are less about enhancing productivity or firm value and more about providing a convenient scapegoat for organizational shortcomings.

Interestingly, the study uncovers a notable correlation between RTO mandates and poor stock performance among S&P 500 companies. When a company's stock performance is faltering, managers might feel pressured to demonstrate decisive action. Instituting an RTO mandate offers a tangible measure, signaling to shareholders and the market that management is taking steps to rectify the situation. By shifting the narrative toward employees' supposed lack of productivity in remote settings, managers deflect attention from other potential causes of poor performance, such as strategic missteps or managerial inefficiencies.

This blame-shifting hypothesis gains further credibility when considering the behavior of firms with higher institutional ownership. Institutional investors, such as mutual funds, pension funds, and insurance companies, are generally more sophisticated and informed than individual investors. The study finds that companies with a higher proportion of such informed investors are less likely to implement RTO mandates. This trend suggests that when a company's shareholder base is more likely to see through superficial measures, managers are less inclined to use RTO mandates as a smokescreen for poor performance.

The third and perhaps most intriguing hypothesis explored in the study delves into the psychology of leadership within organizations. It suggests that RTO mandates may serve as a mechanism for managers, particularly those inclined toward authoritative control, to reassert their dominance over employees. A significant pattern emerged: Companies led by what the researchers call power-seeking CEOs—males who command notably higher salaries compared to the next highest-paid executive at the company—are more likely to enforce top-down RTO mandates. This disparity in compensation, according to scholars, often indicates a consolidated power structure within the organization, where the CEO wields substantial influence over company decisions. This finding strongly suggests that RTO mandates often stem from a desire for control and power rather than from calculated strategies aimed at improving firm performance. It demonstrates the need for investors to rein in the worst impulses of power-seeking CEOs.

Impact of RTO Decisions on Employees and Shareholders

One of the most telling findings of the study relates to employee satisfaction. Using a wealth of data from Glassdoor, the study rigorously assessed how RTO mandates influence employees' perceptions and experiences in their workplaces. The stark results align with previous research, finding a significant decline in overall job satisfaction, work-life balance, and views on senior management following the implementation of RTO mandates.

These findings bear particular significance in the context of the often-cited rationale for RTO mandates: that bringing employees back to the office fosters better collaboration , enhances company culture , and, by extension, improves overall job satisfaction and work-life balance. However, the study's data contradict this claim, indicating that employees feel less satisfied with their jobs, have a worse work-life balance, and hold a less favorable view of senior management in the wake of RTO mandates.

Another critical area explored in the study is the effect of RTO mandates on firm performance and market value. This analysis directly confronts one of the primary justifications for RTO mandates posited by managers, namely the belief that such policies lead to improved company performance and, consequently, increase shareholder value.

Contrary to these managerial claims, the study finds no significant improvement in the financial performance or market value of firms following the enforcement of RTO mandates. This finding challenges the core argument often used to justify the shift back to office-centric work models. The lack of observable financial benefits from RTO mandates undermines the argument for their efficacy as a strategy for boosting firm performance.

Dr. Ma’s study provides a research-driven perspective explaining why they do so and offers an evidence-informed tool to counter their power-seeking, blame-shifting behaviors. Fortunately, plenty of more moral corporate leaders committed to ethical behavior are willing to counter such misconduct, along with investors who have financial incentives to not tolerate such shenanigans, if they have tools to assess the reality of the situation.

A version of this post also appears on disasteravoidanceexperts.com.

Gates, D. (2023, December 13). Boeing shifts policy, wants all employees back in the office full time . Seattle Times.

De Smet, A., Mugayar-Baldocchi, M., Reich, A., Schaninger, B. (2023, September 11). Some employees are destroying value. Others are building it. Do you know the difference?. McKinsey.

Djordjevic, J. (2023, December 7). New report finds employees perform their best when working virtually—and senior leaders agree. Medium.

Ding, Yuye and Ma, Mark (Shuai), Return-to-Office Mandates (December 25, 2023). SSRN. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4675401

Gleb Tsipursky. Imposing harsh return-to-office mandates on employees was like taking candy from a baby. But CEOs will have to answer to their own bosses—investors. Forbes. December 8, 2023.

Gleb Tsipursky, Ph.D. , is on the editorial board of the journal Behavior and Social Issues. He is in private practice.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Self Tests NEW
• Therapy Center
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

Sticking up for yourself is no easy task. But there are concrete skills you can use to hone your assertiveness and advocate for yourself.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience