Learning Climate
What are each faculty member's research interests?
The research interests of the faculty members affiliated with the I/O program at CSU are wide-ranging. Dr. Zinta Byrne's research interests include the examination of organizational justice, how perceptions are formed and the behavioral and attitudinal consequences of fairness, and the effects of technology on fairness perceptions. Dr. Peter Chen's diverse research interests include occupational health and safety, job stress, workplace aggression, individual assessment, training and development, performance appraisal and feedback. Dr. Alyssa Gibbons' research interests include the assessment center method, particularly in relation to job performance and development, the consistency of job performance and other behavior, and the nature of safety culture and climate within complex industries. Dr. Stefanie Johnson is interested in leadership, emotions at work, and the interface between leadership and emotions at work. Her other interests include gender, work family balance, and hiring interviews. Dr. Kurt Kraiger's research interests lie within training, organizational climate, and cross-cultural psychology. Dr. Lorann Stallones' (Director of the Colorado Injury Control Research Center), research interests include agricultural health and safety and rural/urban differences in injury patterns. For more information on faculty's current research projects, visit the faculty web site.
Do I/O faculty conduct research and engage in projects with faculty in other psychology sections or in other departments?
Yes! Students are encouraged to work with other faculty members.
What is the typical relationship between faculty members and students?
Faculty and students in the I/O program possess a unique collegial relationship. Faculty members often engage in discussions beyond I/O psychology, as well as attend social events with students. A weekly seminar, consisting of the faculty and 2nd and 3rd year students discussing a recently published journal article, demonstrates the mutual respect between the faculty and students. In essence, the I/O faculty at CSU provides the invaluable opportunity of informal mentoring to graduate students, in addition to formal teaching and advising. Students have an advisor but work closely with all I/O faculty.
How are students assigned to advisors?
Students are initially assigned a temporary advisor, usually one of the I/O program directors. Within the first few weeks of the students' first semester, the faculty members make short, informal presentations of their current research interests. By the end of the first month of the semester, after the students have held discussions with all members of the IO faculty, the students indicate their preferences for an advisor. The final assignment of an advisor is a result of a mutual agreement between the faculty member and student.
Can a student pursue a different research interest than his/her advisor?
It is not required that students pursue the same research interests as their advisor; however, a similarity between the two interests is beneficial for the advisor to provide optimal guidance. It is up to the advisor whether he/she is capable of and interested in advising a research topic outside of his/her primary area; therefore, students wishing to pursue interests different from their primary advisor should discuss the nature of the matter with their advisor.
Can a student change his/her advisor in the process of graduate study?
Often the research interests of students will evolve as they receive their graduate training. As students' interests may be better aligned with different faculty, it is perfectly fine, and in many cases beneficial, for them to change advisors. Sometimes, students may complete their Master’s degree under one advisor and change advisors for their Ph.D.
Can students work with other faculty members besides their advisors?
It is common for graduate students to work on both research and consulting projects with faculty members other than their primary advisor.
Are faculty members willing to share authorship with students on publications and special projects?
Faculty members are extremely generous when offering opportunities to work on publications and special projects. They recognize the invaluable experience of both of these activities during graduate training as well as appreciate the assistance that motivated students can provide. Authorship of publications is determined by rules advocated by the American Psychological Association.