Research Participation Scheme

Academic Convenor: Dr Tim Hopthrow (Keynes A2.05, Ext 3951, Email T.Hopthrow@kent.ac.uk)

Administrator: Gary Samson (Keynes A1.05, Ext 3079, Email )

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), SP500 (Psychology Statistics and Practical) and SP635 (Essential Social Psychology) 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.

Deadlines

The RPS credit requirement must be fulfilled for the following modules by 5.00 p.m. on the date shown:

SP300 Psychology Statistics and Practical 12 May 2010
SP304 Introduction to Psychology I 09 April 2010
SP305 Introduction to Psychology II 18 December 2009
SP310 Introduction to Psychology (Medway) 12 May 2010
SP500 Psychology Statistics and Practical 12 May 2010
SP635 Essential Social Psychology 18 December 2009

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 credit requirement
  • First year Psychology degree students registered for SP300 should earn 48 credits during the academic year, on or before12 May 2010.
  • Second year Psychology degree students registered for SP500 should earn 48 credits during the academic year on or before 12 May 2010.
  • Non-Psychology degree students registered for SP304 should earn 24 credits during the Spring term on or before 09 April 2010.
  • Non-Psychology degree students registered for SP305 should earn 24 credits during the Autumn term on or before 18 December 2009.
  • Students at Medway registered for SP310 Introduction to Psychology should earn 36 credits during the academic year on or before12 May 2010.
  • Non-Psychology degree students registered for SP635 should earn 24 credits during the Autumn term on or before 18 December 2009.
  • In addition, students in SP300, SP304, SP305, SP310, SP500 and SP635 are required to take the RPS pre-test online once it becomes available during week 1. Any students in SP304 who did not take SP305 should take the pre-test during week 13.  This pre-test is a series of web questionnaires that is used to pre-screen participants for further research.

RPS credits are time-based. A credit is awarded for each 15 minutes' participation. For example, you will earn one credit for participation in a study that lasts a quarter of an hour. For a study that takes 45 minutes to complete, you will earn three credits. Note that some researchers may offer half credits when participation takes less than a full fifteen minutes.

We estimate that earning 48 credits should account for about thirteen 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 for one academic year only. Credits earned this year cannot be carried over to next year.

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:

http://ukent.sona-systems.com

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). If you find you are unable to attend an experiment you have signed up for, you must contact the researcher at least 1 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 will 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.

Students with disabilities

All students are expected to fully participate in the RPS. The range of studies available throughout the year enables most students to participate fully. Students with disabilities that result in them being unable to take part in the majority of studies, should make an appointment to see the Student Advisor in order to discuss alternative ways of gaining experience of psychological studies.