Research Opportunities
Undergraduate research opportunities in the College of Communications allow students to gain experience in their specified field of study while earning course credit. By working with faculty members in COMM 494, students will learn hands-on research skills such as coding, website/project management, website design, database searches, creative writing, analytical writing and more.
Opportunities are offered every semester and students may apply by contacting the faculty listed with the project that best fits their skills and needs. Faculty members are looking for exceptional students who have a desire to learn and grow in their communication field. Students who enroll in COMM 494 to assist faculty members with research are required to complete the university's Scholarship and Research Integrity requirements.
Advertising/Public Relations Related Research Opportunities
Sustainability Communication
Details
1-3 credits. The project will look at the way companies and nonprofits are communicating about the environment.
Expected Tasks
The student who works on this project should be familiar with sustainability/environmental topics and have a passion for environmental communication. Specific tasks will include coding and writing. Training will be provided.
Contact
Denise Bortree
814-865-1274
dsb177@psu.edu
Corporate Social Responsibility
Details
Research (1-3 credits); anticipated work load: 80 hrs each. Two native speakers of Korean needed.
Expected Tasks
Transcribe audio recordings of in-depth interviews in Korean and then translate them to English.
Necessary Skills
Interest in research, preferably public relations
Student Benefits
Earn experience in qualitative research. Join insructor in conducting Skype interviews.
Contact
George Anghelcev
814-865-3071
gua4@psu.edu
Environmental Communication
Details
Research (1-3 credits); anticipated work load: 60 hours total. One student needed.
Expected Tasks
Transcribe audio recordings of in-depth interviews examining people's thoughts and feelings about climate change
Necessary Skills
Interest in research, preferably environmental communication
Student Benefits
Earn experience in qualitative research
Contact
George Anghelcev
814-865-3071
gua4@psu.edu
Research on Teaching Advertising Project
Details
Research (1-3 credits); two students needed; anticipated work load: 80 hours each
Expected Tasks
Transcribe audio recordings of in-depth interviews
Necessary Skills
Interest in research, preferably advertising
Student Benefits
Earn experience in qualitative research; join instructor in conductng Skype interiews
Contact
George Anghelcev
814-865-3071
gua4@psu.edu
Social Media Project
Details
Creating social media presence to direct reporters to a book about jury service and to promote the book. One student needed to create a comprehensive social media campaign
Expected Tasks
Design and implement social media campaign
Necessary Skills
Excellent writing, knowledge of social media and public relations
Student Benefits
Small stipend plus possible commissions
Contact
Cindy Simmons
814-865-6851
cjs40@psu.edu
Film-Video and Media Studies Related Research Opportunities
Generation Gap in Social Media Use
Details
Working on the generation gap regarding social media use, including using mobile media devices such as iPad and smartphones. Specifically we like to see if there is a generation gap between the old and young regarding IT innovation, credibility of online information, online privacy and multitasking. You may also join our projects on how information flows may empower vegetable farmers and vendors. This project introduces the optimization of information flows in local vegetable supply chain as a strategic tool for agricultural development, especially vegetable production, in Chengdu, China. One or two students to join our team on this project.
Necessary Skills
Students must have an avid interest in information and communication technologies
Student Benefits
Opportunity to learn how social scientists work on research projects that have practical implications.
Contact
Bu Zhong
814-865-1023
bxz11@psu.edu
Mass Communications/Ubiquitous Computing Project
Details
Research in Ubiquitous Computing (1-3 credits). One student needed to assist with developing and conducting experimental study.
Expected Tasks
Study stimuli creation, empirical data collection, and finding discussion
Necessary Skills
Basic video-editing skills, interest in new technologies, prefer if the student has completed COMM 304/420/418
Student Benefits
Earn hands-on experience in experimental research and gain theoretical understanding of the psychological effects of advanced technology
Contact
S. Shyam Sundar
814-865-2173
sss12@psu.edu
Mass Communications Project - Augmented Reality in Health Communications
Details
Designing Research Studies (1-3 credits). One student required to explore psychological variables for a health communications study
Expected Tasks
Research tasks include exploring psychological variables for an international study. The study revolves around the concept of augmented reality in health communications
Necessary Skills
Interest in reading and understanding the psychological aspects of newer modalities of communication technology, such as augmented reality. Interest in designing studies that involve international health development goals
Student Benefits
Earn experience in case study research and develop sensitivity for media effects strategy
Contact
S. Shyam Sundar
814-865-2173
sss12@psu.edu
Mass Communications / New Media Studies (Human-Robot Interaction)
Details
Collecting empirical data, interviewing users (1-3 credits). Undergraduate students can help researchers to collect empirical data through experiments about the interaction with the robot
Expected Tasks
Participate in overall process of conducting experiments with subjects of senior citizens who live in State College
Necessary Skills
Interested in new media technology, especially interaction with the robot (no technical skills required).
Student Benefits
Exposure to the next generation of assistive technological tools in the form of a social robot and having a better understanding of human-robot interaction as well as experimental research
Contact
S. Shyam Sundar
814-865-2173
sss12@psu.edu
Content Analysis, Occupy Wall Street
Project
Assistant needed for basic content analysis regarding the coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement for journal publication.
Details
Simple content analysis of one year of coverage of the Occupy Wall Street (Occupy) movement in the Centre Daily Times in State College, Pa.
Expected Tasks
Organize Occupy clippings file, count text and photos, look for simple repetition.
Contact
Ronald V. Bettig
129 Carnegie Building
rvb3@psu.edu
Journalism Related Research Opportunities
Journalist Use of Public Records Project
Details
Research on accessing public records (credits negotiable). Two students needed early in the semester to research the way journalists use public records and other data available on the web.
Expected Tasks
Interview reporters about their online research and use of paper records. Develop how-to guides for accessing useful records.
Necessary Skills
Interest in reporting, ability to manage time, familiarity with online media, highly developed interviewing skills, ability to write clear step-by-step instructions for web and in-person document gathering.
Student Benefits
Become a better reporter by learning how to access public records and other data sets that contain information useful in news stories.
Contact
Cindy Simmons
814-865-6851
cjs40@psu.edu
Research Use of Juries in Japan
Details
Research (1-3 credits) . One student needed to research use of juries in Japan and Japanese legal system.
Expected Tasks
Research and write a report on the history of the jury in Japan, Japanese attitudes about juries and efforts to make greater use of juries in Japan. And the student must be available to do work the first two weeks of January.
Necessary Skills
Ability to conduct library and online research. Strongly prefer student fluent in Japanese.
Student Benefits
Learn about Japan's legal system.
Contact
Cindy Simmons
814-865-6851
cjs40@psu.edu
Telecommunications Related Research Opportunities
Currently no opportunities available.
Page last updated: May 21, 2013