UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1060

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Yinuo Zhang
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): yz23a@fsu.edu
Position Title: Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name: Thomas Ledermann
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email: tledermann@fsu.edu
FSU College (if applicable): Education, Health, and Human Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Department of Human Development & Family Science
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Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Improving Sexual Decision-Making Competency: A Digital Approach
Project Keywords: Adolescent Development, Sexual Decision-Making, Digital Game-Based Intervention
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all majors.

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: {Empty}
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 5
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: During business hours
Overall Research Project Description:
This project tests the effect of a one-hour serious game intervention designed to help young people make more thoughtful choices about sexual behaviors. Players will learn and practice decision-making skills in a relational context in the game. In the study, participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group and will complete entry, exit, and one-month follow-up surveys to assess changes in their decision-making competency, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual attitudes. The study also examines how peers and parents influence sexual decision-making. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior and delivered through an interactive format, the project aims to explore how decision-making skills, self-efficacy, and subjective norms (e.g., parental autonomy granting, peer norms) are associated with sexual attitudes.

Research Tasks:
Intervention development support (literature review, Pilot testing); Survey and study materials preparation; Participants recruitment & communication; Data collection; Data analysis

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Required: 
Comfortable communicating professionally and respectfully with participants
Good time management for keeping up with participant follow-ups and team meetings
Enjoys working collaboratively and contributing to a team environment
Confident using Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Recommended: 
Some familiarity with research design and basic methodology
Experience in finding and summarizing research articles (literature reviews)
Comfortable using or learning online survey platforms like Qualtrics


Mentoring Philosophy:
As a mentor, my primary goal is to provide guidance and support for my mentee in learning basic research practices, exploring their academic interests, and considering future academic or career directions. In the process, I aim to cultivate a welcoming and engaging environment where students feel comfortable learning, asking questions, and enjoying the research journey. 
In order to most effectively accomplish this goal, I take a student-centered approach. I communicate openly with my mentee about their interests and preferred tasks, make myself available for regular check-ins, create space for them to ask questions and share their insights, and provide timely feedback and guidance on their research tasks. 
I expect my mentees to take an active role in their own learning by approaching the assistantship with curiosity, professionalism, and a willingness to learn. While I am here to support and guide them, I hope they are more invested in their own growth than I am. This includes being prepared for meetings, following through on planned activities, being productive, and seeking help when needed. 
Ultimately, I strive for my mentoring relationships to be collaborative, mutually respectful, and enjoyable, where the mentee drives their own development and contributes thoughtfully to the research process.

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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Wednesday, Sept. 3 & Thursday, Sept. 4 from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.
Video for the presentation: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGxYrYKiek/HVBxsZ5Jcn6xzocgn9YDXg/view?utm_content=DAGxYrYKiek&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=recording_view


Roundtable Info:
- Day: Wednesday, September 3
  Start Time: 12:00
  End Time: 12:30
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/95150152630?pwd=coGrQMQltUZl3ZyDaPPE0dQIrDN73b.1
- Day: Thursday, September 4
  Start Time: 12:00
  End Time: 12:30
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/95150152630?pwd=coGrQMQltUZl3ZyDaPPE0dQIrDN73b.1

UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation: Yes

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series?: No
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Year: 2025
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=mhzm9bgRCxm7mIKjrRuqemJfnN2t8iEeirGz7PctYkQ