Research Fit

[aokanlawon]

Hey All,

I had a quick question for anyone able to give an input. I was wondering how close you research has to be with that of you POI. I am really second guessing on some schools as I am trying to send out emails to my potential POIs. If anyone can explain more about connecting your research with that of you POI, that would be helpful too. I would love any recommendations for schools if anyone is able to offer some 

My research focus: 

-How effective are western-based treatment/interventions in treating trauma/PTSD in non-western victims or perpetrator.

-Trauma and resilience across cultures

-- How cultural influences affect perception of trauma and treatment expectations

 

 

Thank you

Edited August 25, 2018 by aokanlawon

[ResilientDreams]

Hello!

I'm in developmental psych, so it may be a little bit different, but I think generally you want to look for a potential advisor who is interested in the same research "theme" as you. So like for me I'm interested broadly in children's cognitive development, so I look for professors that study that and read about the other work that's being done in their lab and ask myself if I think I can see my specific research interests fitting in there. It doesn't have to be a perfect fit, it just has to make sense somehow in relation to the work they already do. Then I send an email and talk about what I like about their work and how I think it relates to what I've done/am interested in. I would think a similar approach would work for you.  

Edited August 25, 2018 by ResilientDreams

[aokanlawon]

ResilientDreams Thanks for your reply.

I was also wondering in your email to your potential POIs, what type of questions about their research did you ask them? Also did you include a CV or any other supplement materials when you sent them an email?

[ResilientDreams]

4 hours ago, aokanlawon said:

ResilientDreams Thanks for your reply.

I was also wondering in your email to your potential POIs, what type of questions about their research did you ask them? Also did you include a CV or any other supplement materials when you sent them an email?

I actually didn't always ask a question. If I had a specific question I asked it, otherwise I just said "I would love to hear more about the work going on at your lab and the graduate program at [university]." I included my CV and I think that was a good decision. 

[philopsych]

Just a story to share. I don't if it can be generalized, but I'm just demonstrating that it can happen. I contacted a POI who does has a lab for topic z for people with symptom x. I want to do work on topic z for people with illness y (where symptom x is a symptom of illness y). They sent me a nice email saying that while what I want to research is interesting, it's not closely related enough to their lab. Honestly, those topics seemed pretty closely related to me, but I think this exchange demonstrates that different professors require different levels of relatedness between your and their interests.

[aokanlawon]

philopsych Thanks for the feedback!

I was thinking the same thing, but I guess that's why it's important to contact the POI before applying.