Second-Year Research Project

The second-year research project is a written report, in the style of a journal article, and an
oral report, in the style of a ten minute talk at a scientific meeting, of original research
carried out during the first two years of residence at Harvard. This work may be something
begun during the first year. This guide describes the components of the second year project
and the expected timeline and action items that need to be completed during the second
year. Successful completion of the second year project is a requirement to progress to
the dissertation stage of the doctoral program.

I. Establish committee. Students are advised by a committee of two faculty

members during their second year projects. This committee typically includes their primary
mentor and a second faculty member who the student invites to serve as their
“second reader”. Both faculty members are expected to be available as a resource to
the student throughout the year.
Action item: Students should invite a second reader to join your second year
project advising committee, following consultation with your primary mentor. Please note
that faculty members are not required to say yes. There are valid reasons a
particular faculty member might not be available for your committee (e.g., an impending
leave). If any student is having difficulty finding a second reader, please consult with
the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).
Timeline: Students should establish their committee in September-October of their second
year.

II. Prepare and submit written proposal. Students should prepare a written proposal for
their second year project. The proposal itself should cover the following topics:

 Introduction to general research topic

 Specific research question
 How the study is poised to contribute to the literature
 Design of experiment(s)
 Proposed data analyses
 Predicted results and theoretical interpretation
 References
When drafting their proposals, students should be explicit about the question(s) the study is
designed to answer, the proposed data analyses, and how the findings will bear on the
question at hand. Proposals should be understandable by a general psychology audience.
Action item: Students should write a proposal and disseminate it to their advising committee
and to the Graduate Program Coordinator. Students are welcome to seek feedback on
drafts of the proposal and engage in discussions with their mentor and/or second reader (or
others) as they are preparing the proposal.
Timeline: Students should submit the written proposal to their advising committee at least
two weeks before their scheduled second year project proposal meeting (see Item III).
III. Hold proposal committee meeting. Students should hold a proposal
committee meeting attended by their advising committee. This meeting is an opportunity
for students to receive feedback from their committee about the content, quality, and scope
of their project. The meeting is also intended for faculty to evaluate whether the project, as
proposed, is well-suited for a second year project or whether it needs to be revised. Faculty
will have read the written proposal before the meeting (having received it two weeks before
the meeting).
Often, students prepare a brief presentation featuring the highlights of their
proposed project and provide an update on the progress they have made thus far. Students
often bring discussion about specific questions or challenges associated with the project
for committee input. Committee members often bring questions they had when reading the
proposal for clarification or open discussion. Note that there is some variability
in expectations for this meeting’s length and format, so students should consult
their mentors on specific expectations.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee will judge whether the project is satisfactory
for the second year project requirement. If it is not judged satisfactory, the committee will
engage in discussion with the student about necessary revisions. For example, the advising
committee might raise the concern that the proposed research is unrealistically ambitious,
and may discuss with the student the need to simplify the project. The advising committee
and student are expected to discuss proposed revisions and come to a common
understanding of any changes required.
Action items: a. Schedule meeting. Students are responsible for scheduling the meeting and
providing confirmation of the meeting’s date, time, and location. Note that coordinating
faculty schedules can be challenging, and faculty often schedule meetings weeks in
advance. Therefore, students should work to schedule this meeting several weeks before
the target meeting date. Further, students might need to schedule the proposal committee
meeting for days or weeks before the final deadline.
b. Prepare for meeting. Students should speak with their mentors about the expected format
for their meeting, and prepare accordingly. Students are expected to answer questions
about their proposed project, report on its progress to date, any roadblocks, and comment
on a timeline for the project’s completion. Students should also expect to engage in
discussion with the committee, who will offer feedback on the project.
c. Paperwork. Students should bring the Second Year Project Completion Form to
the meeting and should collect their advising committee’s signatures indicating whether they
“sign off” on the proposal as-is or require revisions. This form should be returned to the
Graduate Program Coordinator by the meeting deadline (stated on the Timeline document).
Timeline: The meeting should take place by the deadline stated on the Timeline document.

IV. Submit written project report. Students should prepare a written report of the second
year project. The written report should include the background and logic reported previously
in the proposal, with the addition of the actual project’s methods, results, interpretation,
discussion, and conclusion. Students should ask their mentors about expected length and
detail to include in this report. Many students produce a product similar to a draft of a
manuscript that would be sent out for review at a scholarly journal. However, it is not
required that second year project written reports are published or in publishable form.
Action items: Students should submit the written report to their advising committees and to
the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Timeline: The committee should receive the written report by the deadline stated on
the Timeline document.

V. Complete departmental talk. Second year students present ten minute talks to
the department near the end of the Spring semester. Students each give a talk, often
using visual aids (slides), and field questions from the audience. The second year
project talks conclude with a reception celebrating the accomplishments of the G2 class.
Action items: Prepare for the talk.
Timeline: The talks occur on a set date stated on the Timeline document. Students should
reserve the entire day for the talk activities.

VI. Committee evaluation due. Following the submission of the written report
and attendance of the departmental talk, the faculty evaluate the student’s preparedness
to enter the dissertation state of the program. Faculty judge the work as “PhD Pass” or “MA
Pass”, or “Fail”. Students who have met the requirement at the expected level receive a
grade of “PhD Pass”. A student whose performance was not up to the level expected of
doctoral students, and who is expected to leave the program with a terminal master’s
degree, can be given the grade “MA Pass”. In some cases, students will be required by their
readers to make substantial modifications or do additional work. Such cases will be treated
on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the CHD. Finally, students could receive a
grade of “Fail” if they are not meeting, or poised to meet, expectations for doctoral students.
Action items: Grades will be collected by the Graduate Program Coordinator. No action is
needed from the student.
Timeline: The grades are due by a set date stated on the Timeline document.

Extensions. We expect students to meet the deadlines set by the CHD. However,
if unusual circumstances arise that would require an extension on the written submission,
students may petition to the CHD for an extension. Petitions should be submitted in writing
(by email to the Graduate Program Coordinator) by April 15 prior to the project deadlines.
The petition should include a summary of progress to date, a reason for the request, and a
detailed timeline for completion. It is not feasible to receive an extension on the oral
presentation, as they are planned several months in advance and held all on the same day.
Petitions are reviewed by the CHD and deadline extensions will be considered, at
the discretion of the CHD, into the summer months. All students must have their
Second Year Project requirement met by early August, which is when the CHD annually
reviews progress of all graduate students. If students fail to successfully complete the
Second Year Project by the end of their second year, they will be transitioned to
probationary status the next Fall, which could influence their Year 3 funding.