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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Research Participation Scheme
Academic Convenor: Dr Mario Weick (Keynes A1.12, Ext 4253, Email M.Weick@kent.ac.uk)
Administrator: Gary Samson (Keynes A1.05, Ext 3079, Email G.B.Samson@kent.ac.uk)
Introduction
The Research Participation Scheme (RPS) is a credit-based system whereby students in SP300 (Psychology Statistics and Practical), SP304 (Introduction to Psychology I), SP305 (Introduction to Psychology II), SP310 (Introduction to Psychology) and SP500 (Psychology Statistics and Practical) may fulfil their coursework requirement by participating in research conducted by members of the staff in the School. Students participate in research projects and earn credits.
RPS Requirement and Deadlines
The RPS credit requirement must be fulfilled for the following modules by 5.00 p.m. on the final date shown for each credit period:
| Module | Requirement | Credit Period |
|---|---|---|
| SP300 Psychology Statistics and Practical | 80 | |
| - Block 1 - 32 Credits (Autumn) | 26.09.2011—16.12.2011 | |
| - Block 2 - 32 Credits (Spring) | 16.01.2012—06.04.2012 | |
| - Block 3 - 16 Credits (Summer) | 07.05.2012—25.05.2012 | |
| SP304 Introduction to Psychology I | 32 | 26.09.2011—16.12.2011 |
| SP305 Introduction to Psychology II | 32 | 16.01.2012—06.04.2012 |
| SP310 Introduction to Psychology (Medway) | 30 | |
| - Block 1 - 15 Credits (Autumn) | 26.09.2011—16.12.2011 | |
| - Block 2 - 15 Credits (Spring) | 16.01.2012—06.04.2012 | |
| SP500 Psychology Statistics and Practical | 48 | |
| - Block 1 - 24 Credits (Autumn) | 26.09.2011—16.12.2011 | |
| - Block 2 - 24 Credits (Spring) | 16.01.2012—06.04.2012 | |
The experiments available for participation are varied, ranging from individual computer tasks to group decision making to questionnaire piloting.
The RPS allows students to see, understand and contribute to School research. You are encouraged to use the experience as a learning tool, to take time to ask questions and to try to learn more about the science of psychology. Research participation is a valuable experience for three main reasons. Firstly, the act of participating in studies gives you a very good idea of the process through which the information you learn about in textbooks is developed. Secondly, you will get an ‘on-the-ground’ view of doing research and will be exposed to various different research methods that psychologists use to gather data. The hope is that this experience will make you a better researcher. Finally, the RPS can teach you more of the content of psychology. Whilst an introductory module like SP300 can cover only the basic topics in this area, by participating in studies conducted by members of the School you will be introduced to some of the more ‘cutting-edge’ research.
RPS credits are time-based. A credit is awarded for each 15 minutes' participation (rounded up). For example, you will earn one credit for participation in a study that lasts a quarter of an hour. You will also earn one credit for a study that requires just five minutes of your time. For a study that takes 45 minutes to complete, you will earn three credits. Note that participation in a laboratory-based study attracts one 'bonus' credit and that all online studies are capped at one credit irrespective of the time they take to complete.
We estimate that earning 32 credits should account for about eight hours of your time.
You can view your credits online at ukent.sona-systems.com.
Further details of how RPS participation relates to your coursework mark may be found in the appropriate module outline, which you will find on Moodle.
Please note that each scheme runs within one academic year only. Credits earned this year cannot be carried over to next year or moved from one 'block' within a year to another with the exception that any extra credits earned in the spring block will count towards the summer allocation.
IMPORTANT: If you are a first-year psychology degree student, you are required to complete the RPS (in the form of participation hours or essays) in order to progress to Stage 2.
Agreeing to take part
All psychological research at the University of Kent is conducted in accordance with British Psychological Society's Code of Ethics and Conduct. An important principle of these guidelines is that participation in any given research study should be voluntary.
Note:
- You will always have the opportunity to leave an experiment before it runs. Researchers will always briefly describe the study to you, and ask you to leave if you do not wish to participate. (This procedure is called giving informed consent.) You can then sign up for a different study.
- After giving informed consent, you may still withdraw from an experiment at any time if you wish to do so, and can then sign up for another study instead.
- Students who have ethical or other reasons not to participate in experiments may substitute essay assignments for their RPS requirement. More details can be found on the RPS Substitute Assignment web page.
RPS and confidentiality
Another principle guiding the ethical psychological research undertaken as part of the RPS is that personal and sensitive information is treated in the strictest confidence and is not made publicly available or given to any other person. Information generated by any of the studies in which you take part may be published but no details will be divulged from which you as the participant could be identified.
Signing up for studies
You will find out about research sessions throughout the year in several different ways. Most of the RPS research will be advertised on the web, where you will be able to see details of studies recruiting participants. Each study will be advertised with the following information:
- The subject area and a brief description of the procedures to be used
- The name of the staff member conducting the study
- When and where to report
- Contact number and Email address for enquiries and further information
You will be able to sign up to specific testing sessions from any computer attached to the Internet (not just those on campus), receive reminders of these sessions by email, check the number of RPS sessions you have left to complete, and discover more about how the Research Participation Scheme works at Kent. The RPS web address is:
In addition to the web-based notice board, a few studies may be advertised by email, or you may be approached you during seminars or lectures.
Duration of experiments
The duration of research sessions can vary. However, most will take no more than one hour and many will take far less time. The researcher should give you an indication of how long the study will last when you sign up for the study, or shortly after you arrive.
Attendance requirements
If you sign up to attend an experiment, you must at least attend the initial phase of the study (during which the study will be described to you in more detail, and you will be allowed to leave if you wish). You can withdraw from an experiment at anytime without penalty. However, if you withdraw at an early stage of the experiments, no RPS credits may be awarded.
If you find you are unable to attend an experiment you have signed up for, you must contact the researcher at least one hour before the experiment is scheduled to run. You need give no excuse for missing the study; you must only state that you will not be attending.
Experimenters may give a credit penalty equivalent to the number of credits that would have been earned from participation in the study to students who fail to attend a session they have signed up for without giving at least one hour's notice that they will not attend.
Keeping track of your credits
Each time you participate in an experiment the member of staff gives your number to the RPS administrator, who then collates all the information onto the RPS database. These are the official figures. However, students are strongly advised to keep a record of their own credits to save confusion at the end of Summer Term. If this is kept up to date it can provide essential information later if there is any disagreement.
If English is not your first language
Because a lot of the large cognitive psychology experiments need subjects whose first language is English, towards the end of the academic year there tends to be a shortage of experiments for students who are not native English speakers. There are enough opportunities to gain credits, but it means you must keep looking out for experiments you can participate in year round. Leaving credits to the last minute increases the likelihood of the RPS interfering with exam revision.