School of Psychology

Research Participants

Participation in psychology experiments is an integral part of the psychology major.  Not only do you develop a better understanding of the research process and the source for many of the concepts you learn about in your psychology classes but you become a part of the future theories and concepts in the field.  Although participation is voluntary and instructors will allow alternative credit opportunities, your participation in experiments will be an experience you keep with you beyond your undergraduate education.

Introduction to Psychology students, you are required to accumulate 10 Research/Experiential Activities credits and have the option of accumulating up to 15 credits (each credit beyond 10 would be added as extra credit to your grade).  Each laboratory study is calculated as 1 credit for attending (this does not apply to online studies) plus 1 credit per 30 minutes (or portion thereof) of time spent in the study location - e.g., a 45 minute study would be worth 3 credits. 

For a list of current research opportunities, click here.  Sign-up sheets are also posted on a bulletin board in the lobby of the School of Psychology building.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

For any experiment, you have the right to refuse to participate or to cease participating at any time with no penalty to you.  You also have the right to be informed, prior to the experiment beginning, what will occur and what will be expected of you.

To obtain credit for your participation, the experimenter will give you an experiment receipt at the end of your session and it is your responsibility to take the receipt to your professor in order to receive class credit.  If you lose a study receipt, contact the experimenter.

If you sign-up for a study, you must attend.  Failure to attend your session, or to contact the experimenter at least 2 hours prior to the start time to cancel, will result in a deduction of 3 credits.  If you show up for a study and the experimenter is absent, you must wait 10 minutes before leaving and then contact the experimenter - you will still receive your credit for participation.  The experimenter also has the option to cancel the scheduled session up to 2 hours before the start time.