The University’s psychology department and other research institutes rely heavily on the student body to participate in psychological experiments. In fact, most students in introductory-level psychology courses are encouraged to take part in
these experiments.
“Being in experiments is often a requirement in psychology classes to learn more first hand how research is conducted,” said Ida Moadab, human subjects coordinator for the psychology and linguistics departments. “Of course it’s not like students are being forced to be in experiments. They can also choose to do an alternative assignment like reading an article and answering some questions.”
The experiments are often conducted by students in the psychology department’s graduate program, but Moadab says some undergraduates seeking more experience also
lead experiments.
Moadab likens these experiments to lab sessions in other science courses because “students get to see hands-on what psychology looks like.”
“I think the majority of people do like participating in research. The education aspect of the experiments is huge,” Moadab said. “There are so many types of studies going on.”
The psychology department’s studies cover a wide range of subjects. Past experiments have analyzed how people with histories of trauma respond differently to tasks, emotional regulation techniques, and the link between the level of people’s environmental concerns with their actions.
University sophomore Haley Graham participated in multiple studies her freshman year for a psychology course.
“They were really weird,” Graham said. “In one, I just went in and had to write a bunch of things like ‘I am this’ and ‘I am that.’ Another one was all about my goals and stuff.”
Some experiments also use monetary compensation to draw subjects.
“I know there are some experiments at the UO where you can get paid to participate, or get paid and get credit, but most of the ones I know about are for classes,” Moadab said.
The Oregon Research Institute, an independent behavioral sciences research center located near campus, also uses many University students as subjects. Studies conducted through ORI often give subjects money for participating.
“The money is meant to be a token of appreciation, but also an incentive. Everyone likes to get a bit of money,” Kathryn Madden, ORI’s science and community relations administrator, said. “It’s also important that we make sure the money isn’t overly coercive, so we aren’t paying people too much money to be in our experiments.”
One study conducted at ORI, the Healthy Weight Project, is giving participants a total of $180. Madden said that more than 400 freshmen women have taken part in the experiment, which explores the effectiveness of eating disorder prevention programs.
“One of the most important things about beginning college students is that they are younger, and it’s the first time they have lived alone and away from home,” Madden said. “They are making a lot of new choices about their exercise and diet. It’s a good timeframe to research in.”
Moadab also agrees new University students are favorable for psychological studies.
“A lot of researchers are just looking for a typical group of young adults, and this is definitely a good place to find them,” Moadab said.
[email protected]
Studies benefit from student participation
Daily Emerald
February 18, 2010
0