Student Research Participant Guide

Research is central to the science of psychology. To enrich your understanding of psychological research, the Psychology Department has arranged for you to experience the research process first hand, as a research participant. Each student in Psychology 1010 courses, as designated by your professor, should participate in the research process as a participant. Students in other classes sometimes also participate. Typical psychology research activities include filling out surveys or participating in an experiment. Students who do not wish to participate as a research participant may opt to complete an alternative assignment as approved by your professor. Your participation is appreciated and will contribute to the discovery of knowledge to benefit humankind.

This is the guide for students who are participants in research studies. If you are a student conducting studies, please visit our Student Researcher Guide.

Sona

If you are a student in a PSY1010 class, a Sona account will be automatically created for you. “Sona” is the webpage that the Psychology Department uses to organize your research opportunities and record your research credits as you get them. To find studies for which you may be eligible, sign-up for them and participate, visit Sona Systems.

Alternatively, go to the SUU Psychology Department home page and navigate to Research Participation Portal.

Sona Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get an account?
An account will be made automatically for you. This occurs around the last day to drop classes and get a full refund. Sona will use the email address that is associated with your regular SUU account. That email address will be sent a notification when an account is made for you. Check your spam folder; sometimes the notification emails end up there.
2. How do I log in?
The first time you log in the information required is the following:
User ID: Tnumber (A “T” is at the start, no space between the T and the number.)
Password: Your Last Name (Capitalize first letter of last name.)
When your first log in, you will be able to change the password. Forgetting revised passwords is a common reason why students cannot log on to their account. Use the “Forget Password?” function in Sona to reset your password.
3. When are credits due?
Credit due dates are set by each professor. However, many studies listed on Sona do not collect data the last week of regular classes, and no studies run during final exam week.
4. How do I know if it is an in-person or online study?
Most studies designate this in the description. Online studies usually say, “(Online Study)”. Online studies will have a link that will allow the student to complete the study immediately after you sign-up for a “timeslot”. In-person studies have many timeslots with locations for which you can sign up.
5. How long does it take to get my credit?
The researcher has to assign you credits. The time depends on how long it takes the researcher to give you credit. We encourage researchers to assign credits in a timely fashion (within a few days after you do the study).
6. Who do I contact if I have questions about my credit for a particular study?
Please contact the researcher running the study if you have a question about credits for that particular study. You should be able to get their contact information in Sona.
7. Who do I contact if I need to cancel or reschedule a study?
Many times you can cancel the study on the Sona website. Otherwise, you should contact the researcher directly in-charge of running the study. Their contact information may be in the study information on the Sona website. If not, try to contact them through Sona itself.
8. Where are the in-person studies located?
Locations vary. Please pay attention to the location of the study when you sign up for the study in Sona.

If you have more questions or need additional help, please contact the Sona student worker (whose email address is included on the Sona webpage) or Professor Bryan Koenig.