SAFRAN LAB GUIDE
What are the responsibilities of an RA in Dr. Safran’s lab?
RA responsibilities include attending Monday morning lab meetings, meetings for two coding groups, fulfilling responsibilities related to these coding groups, and some administrative tasks including up to three transcriptions per semester. It is expected that RA’s commit 8-10 hours per week to the lab, and we ask for a two year commitment as it takes time to be trained in lab procedures and to become reliable in coding groups.
What is a coding group?
A coding group consists of a small group of individuals who work with clinical material (generally video data or transcriptions of psychotherapy sessions and clinical interviews), and observe and discuss the clinical material in an effort to make sense of it through the lens of a particular coding system. Coding group members are taught a coding system and work toward achieving inter-rater reliability over time. Data collected through coding groups is used mainly for dissertation research being conducted by senior students.
What kinds of clinical experiences do RA’s gain?
As coding group members, RA’s watch recorded therapy sessions. This provides a great opportunity for RA's interested in clinical work to observe psychotherapy sessions. In addition, as an RA in the Safran Lab, you will gain access to clinically valuable lectures and workshops provided by Dr. Safran and others in the community.
Who works in Dr. Safran’s lab?
Research assistants in Dr. Safran’s lab include graduate students from the New School, Adelphi, Yeshiva, and Long Island University, as well as other universities in NYC. Some lab members are working toward their PhD’s at other universities, or have already gotten their PhD’s elsewhere, and some lab members are interested in pursuing graduate studies in psychology in the future.
How many coding groups will I be in? Do I choose coding groups to be a member of or are they assigned to me?
You will be assigned to two coding groups. If you wish to join a third coding group, it may be possible to choose a group to join.
How long will it take for me to be trained in all of my lab responsibilities?
Being trained in your different lab responsibilities takes approximately 2-3 months. RA’s are trained in a number of different lab responsibilities, so it is important to realize that becoming acquainted with work in Dr. Safran’s lab will happen gradually.
What happens at the Monday 10am research meeting? Should I attend?
At Monday 10am research meetings, we discuss ongoing research and potential research projects as well as discussing psychotherapy research conducted elsewhere. These meetings are an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with the work we do as well as with research going on in the field. While attendance is not required, it is recommended that lab members attend.
Are there certain days that I need to be at the lab?
It depends on your coding groups. RA’s should be available on Monday mornings in order to attend the weekly research meeting at 10am. Otherwise, RA’s can come to the lab any day(s) that work in their schedule.
How do I become more involved in Dr. Safran’s lab?
In order to become more involved in Dr. Safran’s lab, it is important to put in your 8-10 hours per week. By being present at the lab, it becomes possible to get more involved in the work that we do. Also, it is a good idea to let your coding group leaders or any senior lab members know of your interest.
Can I complete my responsibilities from home?
Because of our strict confidentiality policies, all work must be completed at Dr. Safran’s lab. Most responsibilities should be completed in the lab space at the New School.
Where is the Safran Lab located?
We are located at the New School for Social Research:
80 5th Avenue
Room 620
New York, New York, 10003
Is there an application process to get involved at the lab?
The application process to get involved at the lab begins with an interview with a senior research assistant. See contact information.
Is it necessary to have previous experience in psychology in order to be a research assistant in Dr. Safran’s lab?
It is not necessary to have previous experience in psychology in order to be a research assistant in Dr. Safran’s lab. While some lab members have backgrounds in psychology, others come from a range of academic and professional backgrounds.
Who should I contact if I am interested in being a research assistant?
If you are interested in joining Dr. Safran's lab, please contact Kate Foley (folev843@newschool.edu) and Molly Duffy (duffym596@newschool.edu).
RA responsibilities include attending Monday morning lab meetings, meetings for two coding groups, fulfilling responsibilities related to these coding groups, and some administrative tasks including up to three transcriptions per semester. It is expected that RA’s commit 8-10 hours per week to the lab, and we ask for a two year commitment as it takes time to be trained in lab procedures and to become reliable in coding groups.
What is a coding group?
A coding group consists of a small group of individuals who work with clinical material (generally video data or transcriptions of psychotherapy sessions and clinical interviews), and observe and discuss the clinical material in an effort to make sense of it through the lens of a particular coding system. Coding group members are taught a coding system and work toward achieving inter-rater reliability over time. Data collected through coding groups is used mainly for dissertation research being conducted by senior students.
What kinds of clinical experiences do RA’s gain?
As coding group members, RA’s watch recorded therapy sessions. This provides a great opportunity for RA's interested in clinical work to observe psychotherapy sessions. In addition, as an RA in the Safran Lab, you will gain access to clinically valuable lectures and workshops provided by Dr. Safran and others in the community.
Who works in Dr. Safran’s lab?
Research assistants in Dr. Safran’s lab include graduate students from the New School, Adelphi, Yeshiva, and Long Island University, as well as other universities in NYC. Some lab members are working toward their PhD’s at other universities, or have already gotten their PhD’s elsewhere, and some lab members are interested in pursuing graduate studies in psychology in the future.
How many coding groups will I be in? Do I choose coding groups to be a member of or are they assigned to me?
You will be assigned to two coding groups. If you wish to join a third coding group, it may be possible to choose a group to join.
How long will it take for me to be trained in all of my lab responsibilities?
Being trained in your different lab responsibilities takes approximately 2-3 months. RA’s are trained in a number of different lab responsibilities, so it is important to realize that becoming acquainted with work in Dr. Safran’s lab will happen gradually.
What happens at the Monday 10am research meeting? Should I attend?
At Monday 10am research meetings, we discuss ongoing research and potential research projects as well as discussing psychotherapy research conducted elsewhere. These meetings are an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with the work we do as well as with research going on in the field. While attendance is not required, it is recommended that lab members attend.
Are there certain days that I need to be at the lab?
It depends on your coding groups. RA’s should be available on Monday mornings in order to attend the weekly research meeting at 10am. Otherwise, RA’s can come to the lab any day(s) that work in their schedule.
How do I become more involved in Dr. Safran’s lab?
In order to become more involved in Dr. Safran’s lab, it is important to put in your 8-10 hours per week. By being present at the lab, it becomes possible to get more involved in the work that we do. Also, it is a good idea to let your coding group leaders or any senior lab members know of your interest.
Can I complete my responsibilities from home?
Because of our strict confidentiality policies, all work must be completed at Dr. Safran’s lab. Most responsibilities should be completed in the lab space at the New School.
Where is the Safran Lab located?
We are located at the New School for Social Research:
80 5th Avenue
Room 620
New York, New York, 10003
Is there an application process to get involved at the lab?
The application process to get involved at the lab begins with an interview with a senior research assistant. See contact information.
Is it necessary to have previous experience in psychology in order to be a research assistant in Dr. Safran’s lab?
It is not necessary to have previous experience in psychology in order to be a research assistant in Dr. Safran’s lab. While some lab members have backgrounds in psychology, others come from a range of academic and professional backgrounds.
Who should I contact if I am interested in being a research assistant?
If you are interested in joining Dr. Safran's lab, please contact Kate Foley (folev843@newschool.edu) and Molly Duffy (duffym596@newschool.edu).
