You have several options if you are considering a career in psychology but don’t want to be a therapist. Research psychologists, for example, are scientists. They’re specialists in human and animal behavior and function as part of a team of other professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, therapists, and social workers in the broader field of psychology. They may be employed in academia, by the government, or in the private sector.
What Is a Research Psychologist?
As the name suggests, a research psychologist is an expert in the human mind and behavior that primarily does research. Research psychologists usually work in places such as behavioral labs or universities, helping other scientists understand human behavior or advising students working toward their graduate degrees.
These psychologists create experiments, analyze data and studies, and write reports discussing the results of their research. They present their research in an academic setting and to mainstream organizations like the American Psychological Association and other stakeholders in mental health.
A research psychologist may also write grant requests and procure funding for their studies. This is true even if they work with colleges or universities.
Clinical vs. Research Psychologist
When you talk about psychology, what many think of is a clinical psychologist. They have patients, make diagnoses, develop therapies, and work in hospitals, private practices, and mental health facilities. They have patients and help them manage mental health conditions using a therapeutic approach such as psychotherapy. They work one on one for therapeutic purposes, not research.
Conversely, a research psychologist focuses on collecting and interpreting data. You won’t be referred to a research psychologist for treatment, but they may operate in the background. They do not diagnose or treat those with psychological disorders. Instead, they research those disorders and prove or disprove theories about the human mind.
As a research psychologist, you’ll need less clinical training. However, you’ll still need to complete the general coursework in psychology. In lieu of clinical experience, you’ll focus on research methods. In most states, research psychologists do not need to pursue licensure.
What Do Research Psychologists Do?
Researchers in psychology use scientific methods to investigate questions and test hypotheses to understand human thought and behavior better. Their research focuses on brain activity, genetics, cognition, behavior, and perception. It may cover the population’s individual, cultural, social, socioeconomic, and political segments. They may also be responsible for securing funding for university research projects. Some research psychologists work as consultants in the private sector. In this role, they may assist healthcare companies, private businesses, or the U.S. government with independent research pertinent to ongoing projects.
For example, it may be the responsibility of a research psychologist to:
- Conduct studies related to brain behavior and function
- Publish findings in medical journals
- Interpret data submitted by other researchers
- Identify emotional or behavioral patterns
- Provide input regarding human or animal behavior
In addition, research psychologists may attend conferences and academic settings to discuss their hypotheses and research results.
While research psychologists don’t see patients for counseling or therapy, they’re employed by many industries. As a research psychologist, you might find yourself working for NASA or General Motors. You could work in education, for the government, in the private sector, or in manufacturing. Many doors are open to those with the skills and credentials to perform psychological research.
Basic vs. Applied Research Psychology
A research psychologist may do basic or applied research. Applied research is scientific research that aims to solve practical problems. This type of research is critical in resolving everyday issues impacting life, work, health, and overall well-being. On the other hand, basic research targets a specific theory or disorder but doesn’t seek a solution. It only looks to obtain information regarding this phenomenon.
For instance, a study of the effect of room color on mood would be basic research – but effect of room color on SAT scores would be more applied research. The goal of applied research psychology is to create solutions. Basic psychological research seeks to gain knowledge.
Research Psychology Careers
So, what can you do as a research psychologist? The options are wide open. Many industries employ these professionals to help them better understand their workforce, correlate and interpret data, or find solutions for pressing issues. Consider the following career paths you might take:
Research Assistant
A psychology research assistant does both administrative and operational tasks. They may collate data, for example, or run tests. They work under a more advanced research psychologist.
The research assistant would be an entry-level role in this field. New graduates or students working toward a graduate degree do this work. It is an effective way for graduate students to get involved in these studies.
Research Manager
A research manager would be a psychologist that heads up a team. The team may consist of established research psychologists and students. Research managers may create proposals, consult research methods, manage budgets, and write research findings.
Research Analyst
Psychological research analysts manage data and ensure it is efficiently recorded and collected. To prepare reports, research analysts may conduct statistical analysis on various data sets compiled from studies. Research analysts frequently collaborate with principal investigators and other scientists to ensure that data is relevant to the study at hand.
Laboratory Manager
A laboratory manager would head up a lab that does research psychology. Their job would include hiring and firing staff for the lab, managing the lab spaces, and collecting data for analysis. A research manager heads up a specific study. A lab manager is in charge of the lab that conducts that study.
Clinical Research Associate
A clinical research associate is a marriage between clinical and research psychology. For instance, this professional might work on the clinical side of a focused study on substance abuse. They would work with the patients and report findings to the study team.
Clinical Trial Administrator
A clinical trial administrator handles the administrative tasks in a study if they involve humans or animals. This professional would manage the data, create protocols, and track the clinical processes associated with the study.
Research Scientist
A research scientist does the investigation for grant-funded studies. They oversee the financial distribution of funds, review the decisions from the study, and design experiments to support the hypotheses.
With the right analytical skills and understanding of current research methods, there may be no limit to how far you can go. And your workdays will be dynamic and ever-changing. You may spend part of your workday at a desk, keeping current on trending science, and the rest in a laboratory, conducting experiments or overseeing research staff. You may work on your own, as an independent consultant or in conjunction with other educated professionals on team projects, such as investigating cures for chronic diseases.
How to Become a Research Psychologist
A research psychologist requires analytical and technical skills developed through years of education, starting with a bachelor’s degree.
1. Bachelor’s Degree
The first step would be to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as psychology. This will teach you the fundamentals and give you a working understanding of how to conduct scientific research. It will also introduce you to the different aspects of psychology, such as behavioral, psychopathology, and cognitive.
2. Do Research
As an undergraduate, there will be opportunities to work as a junior research team member. It is a way to network with other research career professionals and get your foot in the door for later projects. Some psychology departments have an online or physical process for signing up to work on research. You may also let instructors and administration know you are interested in research psychology.
3. Work in the Field
After graduating with your bachelor’s degree, you want to find employment in the research field and get some experience. There are entry-level positions available to those with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, especially if you plan to continue your education. You might work as a research assistant or analyst.
4. Apply to Graduate School
After a few years of research, you can consider applying to a graduate school to earn your master’s degree in the field. Like any career path, the more education you obtain, the better and more abundant opportunities. This is necessary if your goal is to run your own project as a research psychologist.
5. Get Your Ph.D.
After getting your master’s degree, the next stage is applying to a Ph.D. program in research psychology. This will allow you to design your own projects or lead research. When researching graduate schools, look for one that focuses on research.
6. Complete a Fellowship
Once you have your Ph.D., you should do a post-doctoral fellowship. This will enhance your skills for individual research projects and improve your grant opportunities. It may also be a requirement to get state licensure in some areas.
Is Research Psychology Right for You?
Do you love studying psychology and the inner workings of the human mind? If so, psychology is an excellent field to pursue. If you enjoy learning more about the subject but can’t picture yourself working in a healthcare setting, then research psychology may be right for you. This is more of a behind-the-scenes position that allows you to make enormous contributions to science without working one-on-one with patients. And you certainly won’t be limited to the medical field. Many industries use research psychologists, including aerospace, zoology, technology, and marketing. Brands use psychology to sell products, and retail stores use psychology to design better layouts. Even your favorite website may have called upon the services of a research psychologist to help them choose colors to attract their intended audience.
Psychology is a fascinating science. Learning more about what prompts people to buy goods and services or how a particular variable will affect behavior is exciting. You’ll have advanced skills that most people don’t possess, including a keen understanding of behavior and emotions. As added perks, you may have better-than-average pay and benefits.
If you’re ready to pursue an advanced degree in research psychology, we invite you to consider Keiser University, with campuses all around Florida. Keiser University offers both the Master of Science in Psychology and the PhD in Psychology, allowing students with a bachelor’s degree to enroll and progress seamlessly throughout the two programs until they earn their graduate-level degree.
Students who enroll at Keiser University enjoy many benefits, including flexible morning, evening, and online coursework. We keep our classes small so students have optimal opportunity for hands-on learning. Most importantly, we’re fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which means the credits you earn at Keiser University are worth the effort they take to attain.
Contact us today to learn why more and more students are choosing the flexibility of Keiser University. You can learn online from the comfort of your own home – or visit any of our scenic campuses around the Fort Lauderdale/Miami/Orlando areas. At Keiser University, we help students thrive. We look forward to helping you, too.
