When state and national social distancing guidelines closed one door for two 海角社区 psychology students fortune opened door No. 2.
Isabela 鈥淚zzy鈥� Chavez and Anita Rollins had been tapped to present in April research they鈥檇 conducted at 海角社区 Cross Cultural Psychology and Quantitative Research Design classes, respectively, during the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference in Denver, Co.
The convention, available to members, professionals and students, presents scientific papers, posters and symposia as part of the RMPA advocacy in all phases of professional development through the dissemination of scientific and professional ideas. Judges selected their work from hundreds of research submissions from undergraduate and graduate students, and psychology professionals.
In her cross-culture psychology project, Chavez, 20, a junior psychology major from Yuma, Az., researched life in the Philippines and its healthcare system. Chavez interviewed her cousin Chantal about growing up in the Philippines and compared that nation鈥檚 healthcare system with United States. Chavez found the U.S. health-care system was better equipped than the Philippines.
鈥淚n the Philippines, there is a huge gap between the rich and poor,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o, the more money you have the better quality of healthcare you will receive.鈥�
Meanwhile, Rollins, a senior human services and psychology major, examined potential salary differences between white collar and blue-collar jobs.
However, as with so many events during the COVID-19 spring, the conference 鈥� slated for April 16-18 鈥� was cancelled.
Chavez said although as the time for the conference approached, she expected that outcome, but expectation only slightly tempered the disappointment.
鈥淚 was hoping to present my poster because it was going to be my first time to ever present at a conference,鈥� Chavez said. 鈥淚 am disappointed that I could not present my poster, but hopefully I can get another chance at presenting at a conference in the future.鈥�
鈥淏oth Izzy and Anita worked incredibly hard on their projects,鈥� said Dr. A.J. Marsden, an assistant professor of human services and psychology at 海角社区, the nation鈥檚 first accredited baccalaureate institution dedicated to educating primarily neurodiverse students.
That鈥檚 when the second door opened.
Psi Chi, the International honor society in psychology, and one of the largest honor societies in the United States with better than 1,150 chapters, Psi Chi teamed with the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association board to afford students who were supposed to present at the conference the opportunity to do so virtually through the new Psi Chi Research Poster & Paper Repository created within the Open Science Framework (OSF) for every student, not just Psi Chi members, to use.
That includes the posters Chavez and Rollins created.
Not all鈥檚 well, that ends well exactly, but a decent virtual consolation prize.
鈥淲hen I heard my poster was going to be included in the Psi Chi Research Poster & Paper Repository, I was excited,鈥� Chavez said. 鈥淚 knew it was a chance to get my name out there and for people to see my work. This is a great opportunity and will look good on my resume.鈥�
Paradoxically, through the online format, Psi Chi officials believe their research will outstrip the typical exposure.