Research Activities in Child and Family Studies

Students in Child and Family Studies have the opportunity to be involved in research learning activities.  Students can be involved by doing original research projects.  Students also have the opportunity to apply for funding through the office of undergraduate research to support their research project. 

Three separate student projects have won national awards for their research activities and dozens have presented their projects at academic conferences.   Students in 2003, 2004, and 2006  won the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Paper awarded by the National Council on Family Relations. 

From Left to Right: Jacob Priest, Misty Burnett, Rachel Thompson, & Anne Vogel

2006 National Council on Family Relations Winners of the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Paper

 

I have mentored many students who have presented their original research projects at national conferences, such as the National Council on Family Relations and National Conference on Undergraduate Research..  Students had the opportunity to present their work in Vancouver, B.C., Orlando, FL, Indianapolis, IN, Lexington, VA, Asheville, NC, as well as regional conferences held in-state or on the WSU campus. 

Students who presented their original research at the Weber State University Undergraduate Research Symposium, March  2006. 

 

Benefits of Undergraduate Research Involvement

bullet     Preparation for graduate school
bullet    Opportunity to travel and present research findings at conferences
bullet    Contributing to our knowledge and understanding of families and children
bullet    Excellent qualifications for graduate school or employment
bullet    Deeper learning and understanding

 

Undergraduate Research Projects by Child and Family Studies Students

Caulford, N. (2010).  The preferences and practices of couple formation in Guatemala City and San Pedro Guatemala.  Paper presented at the Weber State University Day at the Capitol, Salt Lake City, UT.

Mercado, J., Nash, E., Shekarfaroosh, C., & Stratton, L. (March, 2009).  Forgiveness in relation to marital satisfaction.  Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.

Stringham, M. (March, 2009).  Can’t buy me love: A test of Chapman’s love language theory.  Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.

Anderson, R., Beus, M., Petersen, B. (March, 2009).  She loves me, she loves me not. Paper presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Provo, UT.

Bevan, K. (April, 2009).  The impact of stress in dual student couples.  Paper presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Provo, UT.

Buswell, R., Hammer, K., Hansen, D., & Oborn, A. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor;  2008). High school extracurricular activities impact on postsecondary academic success.  Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.

Caldwell, S., Garn, J., Larsen, K., Metcalf, L., & Morrison, M. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; April 2008). Motivation for participating in the celebration of marriage and marital enrichment program effectiveness.  Paper presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference Ogden, UT.

Davis, J., Peery, R., & Scheer, K. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2008). the effects of parental divorce on young adults’ relationships and attitudes towards marriage. Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.

Parker, T. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; April 2008). Family dynamics, coping strategies, perceptions of ambiguity, and impacts on parents raising a child with Autism.  Paper presented at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, Salisbury, MD.

Burnett, M., Priest, J., Thompson, R., & Vogel, A. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2006).  Relationship breakups and attitudes of romance and mate selection. Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.  Also presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference.  Winner of the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Paper awarded by the National Council on Family Relations.

Hubler. D., & Schvaneveldt, P.L. (2006, March).  The preferences and practices of couple formation in La Paz and the Altiplano region of Bolivia.  Paper presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference. 

Mellor, C. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2006).  National Council on Family Relations Association of Affiliates Study. Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.

Lord, M. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2006). Marital patterns of polygamy.   Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.  Also presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference.

Kons, K.M., & Mau, M.T. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2006). Adolescent self-efficacy in India: Parental influences.  Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.  Also presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. 

Bright, J. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2005). Grandparents raising grandchildren: Affects on physical and mental health.  Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.  Also presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference.

Bryan, K., Chipman. V., & Kartchner, H. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2005). Parental Influence on Young Adult Career Goals.  Paper presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference. 

Burrows, E., Davis, J., Ellsworth, L., Mayfield, M., & Rogers, D. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2005).  Modernity and the intergenerational transmission of parenting styles. Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.  Also presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.  Winner of the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Paper awarded by the National Council on Family Relations.

Hess, B., Hubbard, H., & Moss, S. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2005).  Divorce and sibling relationships.  Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT. 

 Mellor, C., Mason, A., & Masinde, L. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2005).  Premarital education: Effect on marital satisfaction and use among married college students.  Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.  Also presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference.

Simon, J.D., Smith, C., & Vassas, J. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2005).  Military family life. Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.  Also presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference.

Bright, J., Carter, T., Mickens, K.R., Schultz, E.C., & Shaw, A.K. (Paul Schvaneveldt, Faculty Mentor; 2004). The effects of chronic/terminal illness on the family.  Paper presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and Celebration, Weber State University, Ogden, UT.  Also presented at the Utah Council on Family Relations Annual Conference and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.  Winner of the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Paper awarded by the National Council on Family Relations.