Research Participant Pool

Introduction to Psychology (PSYC101) Students

All PSYC101 students must complete a research requirement. The Intro (I) Pool consists of students in Psyc 101 courses seeking to fulfill the research requirement via research participation. To find “I” study opportunities, visit the Research Participant Pool Website or download the free Sona Mobile app. See course materials for more information.

The General (G) Pool consists of students enrolled in psychology courses that offer extra credit for research participation. This includes most, but not all, psychology courses in a given semester.

We know not everyone needs extra credit, so please keep in mind that participation in these studies allows you to gain invaluable first-hand experience with psychological research. In some cases, it may give you ideas for a research project that you may pursue in upper division lab courses or in independent research. It also will give you tangible examples of some of the research techniques that you may be studying in your class.

To find “G” study opportunities visit the Research Participant Pool Website or download the free Sona Mobile app. See course materials for more information.

Current credit totals and credit status are available any point in the semester by logging in to the Research Participant Pool Website and viewing the “My Schedule and Credits” area.

The Research Participant Pool Manager plans to update credit totals each Monday throughout the semester. In some cases there may be an extended delay, but the system, by design, does not “miss” sending you study reminders or any of the record of your participation if you did indeed participate and correct codes are provided. Your research credit information will automatically be sent to your instructor at the end of the semester.

Students who are not in a class that offers extra credit for research participation but still want to participate in research can enter the Psychology Research Data Collection Raffle. For each study completed, one can choose to be entered in a raffle to win one of 22 $25 prizes.

Throughout the academic year, the research participant pool manager will send all-student emails to recruit participants for research opportunities. Most projects will be online studies; a link to the study will be included in the recruitment notice. Other projects may involve an in-person session; the recruitment notice will include instructions for study sign-up. One to two raffle entries will be earned per online survey and four or more raffle entries will be earned per standard lab study (final # is dependent on study length.)

 

Restrictions

• One must be 18 or older to participate in research studies or have a parental consent form on file with the Research Participant Pool Manager.
• Some studies have eligibility requirements (e.g., females only, males only, part of a military family, certain majors); please note and adhere to them.
• Students in eligible psychology classes may complete the announced studies for extra credit only if they sign up for a study time-slot using the Research Participant Pool Website.
• Those who are eligible to earn extra credit may not enter the raffle instead

Participant Rights

Rest assured that every study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

• One has the right to choose not to participate; you are volunteering
• One has the right to an explanation including questions of any study before agreeing to participate. If you decide to take part in the study, you will be asked to sign the informed consent form. Please take your time and read over this document carefully so that you understand the potential benefits and risks associated with participating in the study.
• Everything said or done during a research project is strictly confidential.  Information will be given only to the researchers who carry out the study or to those who make sure that the study is safe and carried out the way it was planned.
• If, for any reason, one suddenly decides that they would rather not participate in a research project, they can just notify the researcher and leave

Participant Responsibilities

• Please take participation in research seriously. Pay attention to instructions and put forth your best effort.
• If you are completing online studies, make sure that you do so in an environment that is not distracting and that you have the time and energy to undertake the task (i.e, be sure you can complete the survey in one sitting- not starting it going off to dinner and then finishing it afterwards, do not take surveys if you are under the influence or if you are extremely tired).
• After participating in a study, be sure to read the debriefing information carefully. Some will ask this of you explicitly, but in general do not discuss the content you completed with other students who could be potential participants.

All participants will be provided with feedback concerning the purposes and expectations of the studies in which they participate during a debriefing period. Participants are strongly encouraged to ask questions during this time. Often one gets as much out of the discussion following the experiment as during their actual study participation. Researchers will be more than happy to discuss any aspect of their study (some aspects might not be able to be divulged at the time the study is being conducted but you can request follow-up information when the study is completed). Basically, one will get as much out of the experience as they put into it.

Many advances in knowledge would not have been possible without individuals willing to participate. Participants can help scientists find out more about how the human body and mind work and help other people. By participating in research, students provide a very valuable service to the psychology department. Their contribution in this regard is highly valued and much appreciated.