Careers in Research Psychology

Get a master's degree or PhD in psychology from a reputable university to become a research psychologist. Research psychologists enter an exciting field and are interested in probing for knowledge in both humans and animals. They design studies, create surveys and questionnaires to carry out their research, and prove or disprove their theories. This is done in conjunction with extensive research, hours of interviews, detailed observations and case studies that can take years. After careful analysis, researchers report their findings to the governing bodies of the psychological community for review. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook put out by Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2009, the average salary range was $50,000 to $100,000 a year for psychologists.

Alcohol and Drug Research Psychologist

• Consider the field of alcohol and drug research if you're interested in fetal alcohol syndrome, the long-term effects of cannabis on the central nervous system, heroin's effect on a pregnancy or the impact on individuals surrounded by alcohol/drug abuse.

Experimental Research Psychologist

• Enter this field if you enjoy conducting experiments in a lab and searching for cause and effect phenomena as it relates to human behavior, physiology, and psychology through tests, surveys, questionnaires, and observations.

Highway Safety Research Analyst

• Study math and statistics before choosing a career as a Highway Safety Research Analyst. You'll rely heavily on math to write and analyze quantitative reports. Among other things, the examination of human and road conditions before, during, and after vehicular accidents is part of the job description.

Medical School Research Psychologist

• Become a medical research psychologist if you're interested in academia, getting grants/fellowships, medicine, and lecturing. Have a love for mentoring students, writing reports, and sharing your findings with both the psychology and medical community.

Military Research Psychologist

• Develop concern for the armed forces and the effects of war on military personnel during enlistment, training, time on/off the battlefield, and during rest/recreation. You will conduct research on post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, aggression, and drug use on those in the service. Both enlisted personnel and civilians can apply for this position.

Nutrition Research Psychologist

• Choose nutrition research if you're interested in the psychological affects of mood and emotions on the eating habits of males and females. You'll explore, areas such as, bulimia, anorexia, over exercising as weight control, and malnutrition via questionnaires, surveys, and interviews.

Social Research Psychologist

• Pursue a career in social research to conduct field study using surveys, interviews, or through observation. You'll collect, study, and analyze either the findings of the head researcher or your own research in such areas as human resources, criminal activity, homelessness, poverty, or any issue that impacts the social milieu.