Undergraduate students took the stage to present research papers and posters during the 9th Annual Troy University Psychology Conference held over the weekend.

Research topics ranging from “Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies and Academic Performance of College Students,” by Ashley Wilson, to topics on the “Spiritual Background: Effects on Political Affiliation,” by Kala Dickens, piqued interest in students as they gathered to listen to their peers.

Dr. Mary Anne Hooten, associate professor of Psychology at Troy University, said the conference is an opportunity for faculty and students from a variety of academic disciplines to come and present their research.

“Students and faculty are always looking for opportunities to share with others the knowledge they have learned and the things they have figured out through their research,” Hooten said. “This is just a way to bring everybody together.”

According to Hooten, other universities were represented during Friday’s conference, such as UAB, Alabama State University, South Alabama, and the various Troy University campuses.

“It’s gotten bigger every year,” Hooten said.

Ashley Wilson, senior psychology major at Troy, said she was excited to present her research.

“I’m presenting my own personal research,” Wilson said. “This is for our Experimental Psychology class, but I have been considering doing this research for a while.”

Wilson said her research on obsessive compulsive tendencies came to her because of a deep interest in the nature of obsessive compulsive disorders and whether those “quarks” would help or harm college students in their academic studies.

“I actually got the opportunity to conduct the research and opted to do the presentation today,” Wilson said.

Wilson said she felt giving the presentation would be a good experience for her.

“Last year, I saw how passionate the students were presenting their research last year and I thought I would really like to do that,” Wilson said. “It’s nerve-racking, but it means a lot to me to be able to stand up there and talk about something that I know about and am interested in and I hope others are interested in as well.”