Research Experiences for Undergraduates Student (Summer 2022)

Throughout the summer I worked alongside Rachel K. Myers, PhD, and Hillary M. Kapa, MPH, on various projects. I was able to gain valuable hands-on experience with both qualitative and quantitative data. Although I worked on multiple projects this summer, one of the main ones was the “Formative Evaluation of the CHOP Violence Intervention Program (VIP)."

While working with the VIP team, I learned about qualitative coding, thematic analysis, and logic models. Team meetings allowed me to gain insight into various perspectives and change my way of thinking. Specifically, I had to remain unbiased and objective. A similar project that I worked on was “Beyond the Bars.” This was a qualitative project that gave me more experience with open coding and codebook refinement. My quantitative experience came from working on the Stress-Less Initiative©, where I became familiar with REDCap. This software allowed me to work with databases, surveys, and data entry.

Overall, this program provided me with many new skills and the opportunity to become familiar with various software. I enjoyed being able to work with a team to compare our work and ask questions. The REU program exposed me to multiple professionals in various fields.

This fall I am entering my senior year at Eastern University where I am double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice. The projects that I worked on this summer have allowed me to think about my studies in a new way. I am very lucky that this program provided me with my first exposure to research and that I was able to work under so many talented individuals. I look forward to continuing to pursue research so that I can eventually get my doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology.