Psychology Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE)

Last Day for Spring 2013 PURE Requirement Completion - April 26 at 4:30pm

PURE FAQS

Student Information - IMPORTANT!!! READ CAREFULLY

In general education psychology courses (PSY 100, 221, 250, 251) you will be learning about many factors that interact to influence thinking and behavior. Just as in other scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry, and physics, knowledge in psychology is obtained by conducting carefully designed studies or experiments. Much of what you will be learning in this class represents the findings of previous psychological research. To enhance your knowledge of research and methodology, and its relevance in the critical thinking process, we offer students the opportunity to participate in research in your general education psychology course. All 100- and 200- level general education psychology courses require a research component for which you will receive course credit. If you do not complete the research experience requirement, you will receive an incomplete in the course.

You will complete six research credits for each 100- or 200-level general education psychology course in which you are enrolled. You are expected to begin completion of your research experience requirement on the third Monday of the semester. All research credits and papers will be due at 4:30pm on the 14th Friday of the semester. You have at least three options for completing this research experience requirement. You will be able to complete the research experience requirement using any combination of options allowed by your instructor.

The first is being a research participant. Please read the following information carefully as it describes your rights as a research participant and instructions for participating.

Your Rights as a Research Participant

1. Be aware that an ethics committee has reviewed and approved each study before anyone is allowed to participate to insure that volunteers are not mistreated.
2. Before you participate in the study, the researcher will talk to you about the types of things that will occur during the study and you will be asked to sign a statement indicating that you have been informed of the procedures (i.e., informed consent).
3. After you complete the study, the researcher will explain the purpose of the study you completed.
4. You have the right to discontinue your participation in a study at any time without penalty.
5. You have the right to expect the researcher to be professional in his or her conduct during the study. This includes the expectation that the researcher shows-up on time, conducts the study, and demonstrates appropriate respect and consideration to participants.

Instructions for Participating in Psychological Studies

1. You will sign up for studies using Sona Systems (http://wiupsychology.sona-systems.com). Your login name is your WIU email address, and you will receive an email during the first two weeks of the semester with your password. Before signing-up for a study carefully read all the information to make sure you qualify for the study. NOTE: Be sure to record the study number, the researcher's name, the location of the study, and the date and time of the study on your personal calendar or notebook.
2. Sona Systems will assign you a unique, numeric ID code. You will see this ID code when you view the Human Subjects Policy, when you update your profile, and in email confirmations and reminders about your upcoming study sessions. Bring this ID code with you when you go to studies or when communicating with researchers, as they know you only by your ID code, and not your name.
3. Research credit is earned based upon the amount of time the study lasts (30 minutes = 1 credit)
4. The maximum number of credits you can earn from online studies is 3 credits (90 minutes).
5. Cancellation Policy: If you discover that you will be unable to attend a study for which you signed up you must cancel your participation for your scheduled study on Sona Systems at least 8 hours prior to the study. DO NOT contact your instructor or the psychology office to cancel your appointment time in a study.
6. No Show Policy: After two no shows (unexcused absence – the student does not cancel the study sign-up and fails to contact the researcher in charge of the study) the student’s Sona Systems account will become Limited. With a Limited account, the student must complete the requirement using the instructor-approved research alternatives.

You have at least two other options as ways to complete the requirement. You will sign up for these research alternatives on Sona Systems as you would for regular research studies – these options are specified as a Research Alternative. For each of the following options, you need to complete the Written Report for Research Experience. The written research reports should be completed during or immediately following engagement in the research activity. These will be turned in to Room 111 of Waggoner Hall. You must complete the Written Report for Research Credit to obtain credit for these options. Please check with your instructor regarding which options he or she has chosen.

1. Read a research article identified by your instructor (2 credits each)
2. Read a research-related newspaper article selected by your instructor (1 credit)
3. Watch a videotaped study (1 credit)
4. Attend research lecture (colloquium, research presentations of candidates, thesis defense) (2 credits)
5. Participate in simulated in-person or online studies (30 minutes – 1 credit)
6. Interview a psychology researcher about a completed research project (1 credit)

All students enrolled in general education psychology courses with a PURE requirement should read the Psychology Undergraduate Research Handbook and are responsible for knowing its content.

Early Completion Credits
Students can earn two (2) of their PURE credits by planning ahead.

• One (1) credit will be awarded to all students who have completed the prescreen by the end of the 4th week of classes
• One (1) credit will be awared to all students who have completed at least half (3/6) of their credits by the end of the 8th week of classes

What should I do if I have a problem or complaint?

1. If the issue is about course credit for your research participation, see your instructor.
2. If you have a complaint or concern about a study, contact the faculty member listed on Sona Systems for the study.
3. If your issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, contact Dr. Sears, interim chair of the Psychology Department, at 298-1593, or Dr. Hetzel-Riggin, Psychology Department Research Committee Chair at PsychologyResearch@wiu.edu.

NOTE: Students may continue to participate in research experiences after the closing date in order to complete the requirement or to earn extra credit in non-PURE course. However, there is no guarantee that the credits will be awarded in Sona Systems before the instructor must turn in grades. It is possible that after this date the student may initially be given an "incomplete" on his or her grades, which will then be changed over the holiday break. Students who do not complete the requirement will have nine (9) weeks into the Fall 2013 semester before the incomplete grade automatically changes to an "F".