The PSYC 100 Research Experience: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the research experience?

The Psychology Department at Bridgewater State University has made firsthand exposure to psychology research a part of your experience in Introductory Psychology.  You will gain research experience either by writing short research article reviews or by volunteering to be a participant in research studies.  It is our hope that these activities will help you develop an appreciation for how psychologists conduct their research.

How exactly do I fulfill this requirement?

These may be fulfilled by volunteering in a research study through the Psychology Department or writing a research article review given to you by the Research Lab Coordinator.  You may also do a combination of the two.

All students, whether completing the experience by participation in a study and/or research article review, must register using our Research Participation System at https://bridgewaterstate.sona-systems.com.

If  you choose to participate in the various studies being conducted in the Psychology Lab, then you will sign up for any that seem of interest to you. The Research Participation System website will allow you to view the current studies being conducted, along with the schedule for volunteers.  Days and times will typically vary week to week.  Some subjects are 30 minutes long, which equal 1/2 a unit; other subjects are one hour long, which equals 1 unit.

If you choose to complete an article review, please keep in mind that the Research Article Review equals one unit.  So, two articles will complete the requirement if you would rather not participate in a study.

What do I have to do as a study?  Is it going to hurt?

There is absolutely no physical harm to the subject. Most of the research being conducted is through surveys and computer programs. You also have full control of which studies you participate in and you may quit the study at any time before and during the actual study.

The American Psychological Association (APA) and the United States Office of Health and Human Services have published ethical principles and guidelines that establish a code of conduct for conducting research.  The Psychology Department at Bridgewater State University takes those guidelines very seriously.

Do I have to participate in the research experience?

All students in PSYC 100 are required to participate in research experience. Again, this is to introduce the student to research in psychology.

What if I do not participate?

You will receive an "Incomplete" for your final grade in Introductory Psychology.  This is not up to your professor.  It is a department wide rule.  You will be given the next semester to complete the experience.  If it is not completed by then, your final grade will change from an "Incomplete" to an "F".

How will I know if I receive credit for the experience?

You may view your credits earned on the Research Participation System website.  The Research Coordinator will also notify your professor when you have completed part or all of the required two units of participation.  If you are unsure whether you received credit, feel free to contact the Research Coordinator yourself.

I think I want to do the Research Article Review.  What do I do?

• You must contact the Research Coordinator to obtain the research article review assignment.  Your instructor does not have the assignment.

• You must request the research article review assignment no later than one week before the last day of classes.

• You must email the completed assignment to the Research Coordinator at no later than the last day of classes.

• Research article reviews are not monitored nor graded by your Introductory Psychology professor.

I think I want to participate in a psychology research study.  What do I do?

• Check the Research Participation System website. (Only participation in studies on those bulletin boards earns units toward the Introductory Psychology Research Experience)

• After reviewing the brief study description, pick a convenient study, time, and location.

• On the day of your appointment, arrive on time and at the location indicated on the Research Participation System website.  The researcher will meet you there.

• Upon completion of the experiment, you will be debriefed and given a credit slip.  The credit slip is for your records and proof of participation.  The researcher will be submitting your credit on the Research Participation System

A few things to note:

• You may not complete the same study twice.  If you have already participated in a study, please do not sign up for that study again.

• Please report on time at the correct location.  If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to participate and will have to sign up for another time.

• If you are under 18 years of age, you cannot participate in research studies.  Contact the Research Coordinator for the research article review instructions.

• Participate with integrity.  Your data will be used in research reports that may be published or presented at national conferences.  If you choose to participate in a research study, it is important that you do it thoughtfully, honestly, and in good faith.  If you do not wish to participate in research, you should earn your units by completing research article reviews.

My teacher gave us a hand-out on the first day regarding the Research Experience requirement.  How can I get a copy of that?

Click here to download the hand-out.

For more information, please contact Fran Barth, the Research Coordinator, by email at fbarth@bridgew.edu,  phone 508-531-2533, or, feel free to stop by the office in Hart Hall Room 329

 

Last Modified: October 10, 2012