Cognitive Science Research

at Northwestern University
Travis White-Schwoch
Northwestern University

So you're interested in research in cognitive science – great! We've prepared this brief guide
to give you tips and advice on why to do research, how to start, and, well, what you'll do. The
most important piece of advice we can give is this: don't get intimidated and don't get
discouraged. Everybody will go through bumps in the road to research, and that's okay. Our
hope is that this guide will help make the road a little smoother. Remember, though, that this
guide is not comprehensive. What we discuss here is oversimplified and overly generalized…
but we think it can help.

Why do research?
Research is a rewarding and challenging
endeavor. It immerses you in "real world"
science, free from the abstractions of
textbooks and lectures. We all know that
learning by doing is both fun and efficient.
Moreover, you get to both pursue your own
interests and discover new interests.
There are also some practical benefits:
 You get to know other undergraduates,
graduate students, and faculty members;
 It can set you up for an honors’ thesis;
 The University is eager to shovel you
grant money;
 You can build your CV by getting
experience in programming,
administration, statistics, and maybe even
a publication or two!

 You can get course credit;
 It is an illustration of the concepts and
principles you learn in your coursework;
 Cognitive science majors may be able to
count it as an advanced elective;
 It looks great on a transcript and makes
you desirable for graduate schools and
many jobs;
Prepared for the CogSci Club of Northwestern
University’s website, www.nucogsci.com. Please do
not cite or reproduce without written permission. This
document is ©Travis White-Schwoch, 2010 & 2011. I
thank Lauren Kahn, Steven Franconeri, Derek Tam, and
Andrew Deitch for helpful comments and feedback on
various drafts of this document.
Version of: April 17, 2011
nucogsci@gmail.com
What kind of research can I do?
Maybe you want to research language. Maybe
you want to interview people. Maybe you
want to build computer models. And maybe
you want to squish-up squid axons. Really,
you can do anything you want!
Well…really, anything that a professor (and
probably a graduate student) wants, but you’d
be surprised at the diversity of research
interests at Northwestern. (And, if you put in
your time, so to speak, you may get to work
on your own research).
A good place to start is by looking at faculty
members’ websites. A list of faculty member
who self-identify as cognitive scientists may
be found on the Cognitive Science Program’s
website (see a link in the Appendix) but you
2 © Travis White-Schwoch
should go beyond that to faculty pages in
departments like Psychology, Linguistics,
Learning Sciences, Electrical Engineering &
Computer Science, Communication Sciences
& Disorders, Neurobiology & Physiology,
Music Cognition… the list goes on! Read their
biographies, skim their publications, and pick
a few things that pique your fancy.
If after a quarter or two of work you find that
your interests have changed, don’t worry—
that’s supposed to happen! Talk to your
friends, talk to your professors, and talk to
your TA’s…you’re bound to find something.
You can also e-mail the CogSci Club! The
brown-nosing nerds that we are, we have a
pretty good sense of the types of research that
different faculty members do. So if you come
to us and say “All my life I’ve wanted to take
an EEG of somebody staring at floating dots
on a computer screen so that I can figure out
how they tell right from left,” we’ll know
where to point you1. Or if you say “All my life
I’ve wanted to create computer narratives of
3D stick figures who model personality sub-
systems,” we’ll have a good idea, too2. Or if
you say…well, you get the idea. Also, there’s
a good chance we’re friends with an
undergraduate or graduate student working in
any given lab – so if you’re still intimidated
(even after our insistence that you shouldn’t
be) we can put you in touch with a student too.
When should I start doing research?
Good question. The simple answer is: when
you’re ready. Some people start their
freshman year, and some wait longer. A lot of
it depends on the professor, the culture in their
lab, and the type of research they do. But
mostly, it depends on you. Talk to your
advisor and talk to your professors. Formal
independent study is a class unto itself, so
you’ll want to find a balance in your course
1
Steve Franconeri
2
Ian Horswill … c’mon, these are too easy
load. Although many people take it as a fifth
class, it’s probably best to do it as a fourth
class the first time around so that you can get
a sense of the time commitment you’ll need to
make without your classes suffering.
Some people will also start their research
more informally, just volunteering in a lab as
opposed to enrolling in research for credit. It’s
a great way to get your feet wet!
How do I start?
This is probably the hardest step, and certainly
it’s what trips people up the most. All the
time, we hear people say “I don’t know how
to get started,” or “I know who I want to work
with, but I don’t know what you have to do
beforehand.”
It’s surprisingly simple: e-mail. Once you find
a professor whose work interests you, just
shoot them a friendly e-mail. Explain who you
are and what interests you. Tell them what
experience you have (prior labs, Psych
201/205, etc.) and why you want to work with
them. Keep it brief, friendly, and cordial.
Now, wait. Don’t be surprised and don’t be
discouraged if you never hear back.
Sometimes it takes a while, and sometimes
you won’t get a response. That’s OK. It might
mean that the professor doesn’t have room in
their lab, so you have to move on. It might
mean that your e-mail came the night before
they are giving an exam to their hundred-
person-lecture and so just lost track of your
email. Most of the time, though, you probably
will get a response. Once you get a chance,
jump on it. You’ll probably meet with a
professor, post-doc, or graduate student so that
they can get to know you and them.
Remember: the most important thing is not to
get intimidated and not to get discouraged.
Believe it or not, it takes guts to e-mail a
3 © Travis White-Schwoch
professor out of nowhere and ask if there’s
space in their lab, and they’ll appreciate it.
Don’t be surprised if they simply do not have
the space for another student. If they don’t,
still be friendly and gracious because they
may reconsider in the future.
Also, get advice from your friends, but
recognize that everybody’s experience is
different. Some people will be able to
schedule meetings with sixteen different labs,
and some people will send sixteen e-mails and
get one meeting. Don’t worry—it isn’t a
reflection on you! Rather, it’s a reflection on
how fluid labs’ needs are, and how the only
way to get into a lab is to persevere.
Didn’t you say something about
money?
Yes! The University is eager to support
undergraduate research and offers grants and
fellowships. There are three units which offer
these: the Provost’s office (University-level),
the Dean’s office (college-level) and a
department/program (in this case, the
Cognitive Science Program). As you’ve
already guessed, the university-level grants
are open to just about anybody, the school-
level are open to just about anybody in the
school, and the department/program-level are
open to just about anybody in that
department/program.
These grants are competitive, but there’s lots
of money to go around, and many people
benefit from them. Some are meant for certain
demographics, and some are open to anybody.
Some are meant to cover costs of living
(mainly summer grants) and some are meant
specifically to support research costs. There’s
lots of good information online, at
http://www.northwestern.edu/undergrad-
research/.
Professors also have a lot of experience with
this sort of thing, and are eager to help you
with a proposal. Realize, though, that you
often have to have identified an advisor, and
so this is the sort of thing which often—but
not always—comes after spending a little bit
of time working in a lab.
Every Lab is Different
I can’t say this enough times. Every lab is
different. Every lab is different. Every lab is
different. Every lab is different. Every lab is
different. Every lab is different. Every lab is
different. Every lab is different. Every lab is
different. Every lab is different. Every lab is
different. Every lab is different. Every lab is
different.
And that’s a good thing!
Some labs have twenty-five RA’s. Some labs
have weekly two-hour meetings. Some labs
have students work completely independently.
Every lab is different.
When you meet with a professor, think about
this. Realize that the point of an independent
study isn’t to socialize, but for some people
this might be an important factor. Also realize
that because “Every lab is different,” there is
no standard for what a research assistant does
in terms of workload, with whom they work,
and what level of attention they get. Some
RA’s work directly under the professor, some
work primarily under a graduate student, and
some vacillate in between.
Take, as an example, CogSci Club Founding
Co-presidents (through June, 2011) Travis and
Lauren. They both got into a lab very early on
as cognitive science majors, and stuck in those
labs through graduation (they even wrote
honors theses!). Travis spent about two years
working directly with a graduate student, and
switched to work exclusively with the
4 © Travis White-Schwoch

professor for his

thesis. Lauren
spent her whole
time working
directly under
the same
professor,
eventually
completing a
thesis. And they
both loved it,
and got a ton out
of it (including
jobs)!
The Interview Meeting
This comic strip really says it all. After
emailing a professor, you’ll probably set-up a
meeting with them to discuss joining their lab.
The meeting might be with just them, it might
be with a graduate student, and it might be
with the entire lab.
First of all, remember: it’s not a job interview.
Nobody expects you to have a pre-defined set
of interests or research questions. If you do,
that’s great! But you should in no way, shape,
or form, feel pressured to go in with a research
agendum.
The best way to prepare is to peruse their
website and some publications. If the
publications listed on their website seem out
of date, do a Google Scholar search. You
should have some idea of what their lab does
—you don’t want to tell a professor who
studies dating that you’re interested in
schizophrenia drug discovery—but you also
don’t have to be an expert on their work.
Some Do’s and Don’ts
 Do be honest about why you want to work
in a lab, even if it’s “I’m just curious what
it’s like to do research.”
 Don’t dress like a slob (but you probably
don’t have to wear black tie).
 Do anticipate how much time the
meeting(s) will take.
 Don’t assume that the professor has a
position they can offer you that instant.
 Don’t assume that you’re going to be
published within a month of working in
the lab.
 Do be friendly, interested, and try your
best to come off as sane.
 Do ask about current projects in their lab.
 Do ask about time commitment and what
type of work you’d be doing.
 Don’t be a jackass.
 Do ask about whom you’d be working
with.
 Do feel free to ask if you can meet some
other RA’s.
And remember, the professor is meeting you
but you’re also meeting the professor. If you
just don’t like the people you meet, then don’t
feel that you have to work with them! Also,
you don’t have to inflate or lie about your
experience or aptitude. Professors recognize
that smart, motivated people reach out to them
about working in labs.
5 © Travis White-Schwoch
Some General Comments
Each professor is different, each graduate
student is different, and each lab is different.
(Remember: Every lab is different!) Our
general advice and tips can only take you so
far. Whether or not you’re a good fit for a lab
is dependent on that lab’s research and the
time you ask. If they’re between projects, or if
they’re working on the end stages of several
projects, there might not be a good place for
you. Some professors will require certain
coursework (see below), some will require
specific work some of the time, and some
won’t require any at all. The only way to
know is to ask.
Once you’re involved in a lab, be curious,
confident, and courageous. Ask lots of
questions, read up on the topics being
considered, and look to your colleagues for
advice. There is a definite hierarchy in each
lab, but it’s there for a reason; take advantage
of it to learn as much as you can about the
topics you’re researching and academic
research culture. Don’t be intimidated to ask
for help, to ask for more work, or to ask for
less work. And remember that we’re talking
about cognitive scientists, here—people who
are reasonably well adjusted, and quite
friendly.
Finally, recognize that the people whom you’ll
be working with have dedicated their lives to
their materials. Graduate students, post-docs,
and junior faculty have their careers riding, in
part, on the work they do. If people get
anxious, frustrated, or testy, try not to let it get
to you.
F.A.Q.
n.b.: Since much of undergraduate independent studies
are done through the Department of Psychology, we
will use course numbers from this department herein for
the sake of argument. We will also address some
specific questions about research in this department, but
much of this discussion may be expanded to other
programs.
I haven’t taken Psych 201 and/or Psych 205—
can I still do independent research?
Probably! Different professors will have
different expectations, but in our experience
most do not require these. It’s a good thing to
mention when you talk to a professor, but
don’t use this as an excuse not to get involved.
(It’s lame as all get out.)
What is the difference between all the
different independent study classes?
Good question. Generally speaking, there are
three “classes” of class: independent study for
one quarter; a two-quarter independent
project; and a two-quarter honors’ thesis. The
honors’ thesis is exactly what it sounds like: a
project some people choose to do during their
senior year as a culmination of their
undergraduate coursework. What you’re
probably interested in is one of the
independent study classes. These are for
undergraduate research assistants who are not
work-studies and will earn credit.
In Psychology, these classes are Psych 397-
1/2 and Psych 399. There is a lengthy
discussion of the differences on the
psychology department website, but Psych
397 is a two-quarter sequence typically
dedicated to a specific project. People rarely
go into these without first doing Psych 399,
which is a general independent study you can
take as many times as you like. Be sure to
check out this website for more detailed
information on these classes as well as
information on how to register:
http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/psych/und
6 © Travis White-Schwoch
ergraduate_studies/research_opportunities/res
earch_for_course_credit.html. (You should
note that, generally, the blessing of your
professor is sufficient, but there is
nevertheless paperwork.)
There are similar classes, with similar
distinctions, in all departments. But you
should explore these in-depth with your
professor, the department’s Director of
Undergraduate Studies, and the department’s
undergraduate program assistant for details.
Can I take Psych 397 or Psych 399 (or another
such class) as a fifth (overload) class?
Many people do. As we said above, it may be
a good idea to try it once as a fourth class. Be
sure to check your school’s requirements and
procedures on registering for an overload, and
leave plenty of time to do so. In WCAS, you
need to have a GPA of at least 3.0 from the
previous quarter (or your advisor’s written
permission), and take the class number and
permission number to the WCAS
Undergraduate Advising Office. A taking a diverse set of classes and to start
receptionist will check CAESAR and then
give you a slip to take to the registrar’s office
(in Rebecca Crown Center) and a receptionist
there will manually enroll you. All of this
must be during the first week classes (the
“add” period). Whew! Needless to say, it takes
time (and walking), so it’s best to do this
ASAP.
How do I register?
The Psychology Undergraduate Program
Assistant, Maria Candelario (m-
candelario@northwestern.edu) has a form you
must fill out and your professor must sign.
Bring it to her and she’ll give you a
permission number. Then read the little
diatribe in the preceding paragraph, if it’s an
overload.
What will I do as a research assistant?
That’s a question best answered by your
professor or graduate student. Most
undergraduates help by running subjects and
with data entry. Although this can sound
tedious (and can be) you’ll really learn a lot by
doing this. For example, if you’re helping a
graduate student run subjects, you’ll probably
learn about the study you’re running and the
rationales behind the design of the experiment
– particularly if you ask! And before you
know it you’ll find your mind wandering,
curious why they aren’t running a certain
condition or coming up with an idea for a new
study altogether.
Are there any written requirements or
assignments?
Again, ask your professor. Some will ask you
to write a paper on a topic similar to your lab
work, but it’s pretty painless
.
What if I don’t know what I’m interested in?
That’s okay! What’s important is to keep
doing research immediately. There a few
things you can do if you have no idea what
interests you. The easiest thing is just to ask a
professor or graduate student whom you know
and think is smart and nice. You’ll figure out
pretty quickly whether or not you like the
research you’re doing, and if you decide to go
in another direction, at least you’ll have had
good experience. You can also peruse lists of
labs needing a research assistant, and go into
one of those. If none of those work, we can
find an Ouija board.
Can I count Psych 399 (or similar) as a
cognitive science advanced elective?
Most of the time. If you’re a major or minor
and would like to count this as an advanced
elective, write to Professor Steve Franconeri
(franconeri@northwestern.edu), the Director
of Undergraduate Studies for details.
7 © Travis White-Schwoch
I heard that Professor X is a big jackass!
Not a question, but okay, frankly, I doubt it.
Granted, some people just don’t get along
with each other, but you won’t know how you
work with any given professor or graduate
student until you try. And what’s the worst
that could happen? After a quarter or two you
stop working in the lab? C’mon, that’s not so
bad. Rest assured that undergraduates move in
and out of labs all the time.
I finally got in a lab and was given a task but I
screwed it up!
Also not a question, but don’t worry—
everybody makes mistakes, especially the first
time they do something as bizarre and obtuse
as, say, code data. Be honest with your lab
colleagues and move past it, having learned
something.
8 © Travis White-Schwoch

Appendix: Some Links & Contacts

COGNITIVE SCIENCE PROGRAM

Website: http://cogsci.northwestern.edu
Program Administrator: Benjamin Dionysus cogsci@northwestern.edu
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Steve Franconeri franconeri@northwestern.edu
List of affiliated faculty: http://www.cogsci.northwestern.edu/people.html

COGSCI CLUB
Website: www.nucogsci.com
E-mail: nucogsci@gmail.com

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
Website: http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/psych/
Undergraduate Assistant: Maria Candelario m-candelario@northwestern.edu
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Karl Rosengren k-rosengren@northwestern.edu
Labs Needing a Research Assistant:
http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/psych/research/become_a_research_assistant/ (not inclusive)
List of faculty: http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/psych/people/

DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS
Website: http://www.linguistics.northwestern.edu/
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Stefan Kaufmann kaufmann@northwestern.edu
Department Administrator: Irene Sakk i-sakk@northwestern.edu
List of faculty: http://www.linguistics.northwestern.edu/people/faculty.html

DEPARTMENT OF LEARNING SCIENCES

Website: http://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/ls/
List of major research projects in the department: http://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/ls/projects/

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCE (“EECS”)

Website: http://www.eecs.northwestern.edu/
List of research groups: http://www.eecs.northwestern.edu/research/faculty_groups/
Undergraduate research stories: http://www.eecs.northwestern.edu/research/ugrad_research/
Undergraduate Director: Professor Alan Sahakian sahakian@eecs.northwestern.edu

MUSIC COGNITION AT NORTHWESTERN

Website: http://kodaly.music.northwestern.edu/index.html
Coordinator: Professor Richard Ashley r-ashley@northwestern.edu

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS

Website: http://www.communication.northwestern.edu/departments/csd/
List of faculty:
http://www.communication.northwestern.edu/departments/csd/faculty/directory.php
List of labs: http://www.communication.northwestern.edu/departments/csd/research/
(cont’d)
9 © Travis White-Schwoch

COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AT NORTHWESTERN

Website: http://cogns.northwestern.edu/
List of faculty, including research interests: http://cogns.northwestern.edu/faculty/
Director: Professor Ken Paller kap@northwestern.edu

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
Website: http://www.philosophy.northwestern.edu
Mind and Language Research:
http://www.philosophy.northwestern.edu/research/MindandLanguage.htm
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Rachel Zuckert r-zuckert@northwestern.edu

**Check program websites for up-to-date contact information.