Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a lab?
In the social sciences, a lab can refer to a physical space where you conduct research or simply a gathering of people that all work together to conduct research. For the SHAPE lab, we will conduct research in various spaces, so our lab is simply the group of people who are working together on our research.Â
Who can apply to join the SHAPE lab?
Any undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled at Auburn University. Although students in certain majors like communication, public and one health, psychology, and healthcare administration may be particularly interested in the SHAPE lab’s work, we are open to students from all majors so long as they demonstrate interest and relevance in what we are studying.Â
How do I apply to join the SHAPE lab?Â
If you are interested, you can reach out to Dr. Ledford via email to vledford@auburn.edu to learn if the SHAPE lab is a good fit for you. Send Dr. Ledford an email of interest along with your resume or CV.Â
What are the expectations for lab members?
Members are expected to attend regular lab meetings, contribute to ongoing research projects, and remain engaged in professional development activities. Time commitments vary depending on your role and active projects, but participation in the lab is a commitment, and lab members are expected to actively engage in lab projects and activities.Â
What do I get for participating in the lab? (Undergraduate students)Â
The first option is that if you join at the beginning of a semester, you can register for an independent study with Dr. Ledford and receive upper-level COMM course credit. The second option is that you become part of the lab and apply for an undergraduate research fellowship (URF) through Auburn with one of the SHAPE lab faculty as your mentor. This is a competitive, prestigious research fellowship where if accepted, you would work with SHAPE faculty mentors to conduct and publish a research project - even receiving funds through the university to do so. Finally, the third option is that you work in the SHAPE lab as a volunteer so that you can list your research experiences on your resume or CV. All SHAPE lab members who effectively participate will have the opportunity to collaborate on conference papers and presentations as well as publications when relevant.Â
What do I get for participating in the lab? (Graduate students)
The primary outcome for graduate students is research experience, conference papers, and publications — all important for the job market. In some circumstances, graduate students can also get advanced methodological training via independent study coursework with Dr. Ledford, but this will be discussed on an individual basis. All SHAPE lab members who effectively participate will have the opportunity to collaborate on conference papers and presentations as well as publications when relevant.
Why should I do research?
Research is a highly transferable skill for the job market, no matter which career you pursue. In the SHAPE lab, you can learn skills in project management, data collection procedures for social scientific methods like surveys and interviews, and data analysis methods. You will also advance your writing and communication skills and have the opportunity to attend conferences and publish research papers, which demonstrates your ability to work on a team to produce a high quality product.Â