Overview
The Social Science Research Lab (SSRL) is a collaborative research group where undergraduate and graduate students learn and practice the skills of social science research in a team-based setting.
The collaborative approach developed by SSRL focuses on bringing multiple perspectives to the process of asking research questions, developing a research protocol, collecting/analyzing data, and communicating research findings.
Led by Dr. Blake Silver and Alyssa T. Cazier, SSRL represents a partnership between the Department of Sociology & Anthropology, the Honors College, and the Center for Social Science Research. While the lab focuses on social science research, students from any major are invited to join. SSRL has had members from sociology, creative writing, biology, computer science, government, economics, neuroscience, and criminology to name a few. The full lab membership meets once a month during the academic year, with additional ad-hoc meetings for smaller groups to work on focused elements of research projects.
Over the past eight years, SSRL has used collaborative approaches to social science research to support several projects on educational transitions. These projects have provided opportunities for students to present work at regional and national conferences for scholars and practitioners, including at the annual meetings of the:
- Eastern Sociological Society (ESS)
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region II & III,
- American Educational Studies Association (AESA),
- American College Personnel Association (ACPA),
- and Mid-South Sociological Association (MSSA),
Moreover, members of SSRL have published their research in several peer reviewed journals. Our recent publications can be found in:
- Qualitative Sociology,
- Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education,
- Journal of the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition,
- Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice,
- and Journal of College Student Development.
In addition to publishing their work, members of SSRL share their skills and experiences with a broad array of audiences. For instance, members have developed research workshops for Sociology Capstone students, the Honors College Peer Mentors, and several OSCAR URSP students. SSRL also shares its findings with practitioners and is currently working on a project related to Honors College students’ experiences navigating a university.
The SSRL brings in new members at the start of each research project. If you are interested in joining the SSRL, email acazier2@gmu.edu.