Extra Credit: Research Participation Option

The maximum extra credit points that can be earned in PSY 180 this semester is 18. You are only eligible to receive extra credit points if you have completed the Research Exposure requirement, turned in all four of the Application Assignments, and have no more than 4 unexcused absences. As soon as your Research Exposure requirement is completed, any research participation minutes will be counted toward Extra Credit. One way to earn extra credit points is via the Research Participation Extra Credit Option. Here's how it works:

Throughout the semester you will have opportunities to participate in research projects being conducted in the Psychology Department. Each project is described in a folder posted on the large bulletin board outside 317 Wells Hall.

You are responsible for going over to Wells Hall, reading the folders, and signing up for the ones in which you are interested.

You do not have to sign up for any particular research study. Read the descriptions of the available studies and sign up for the one(s) that you want to participate in.

When you sign up, be sure to write the name of the study, day and time of the study, and room number of the study in your own planner or calendar, so you won't forget.

How do I sign up?

If you sign up for a study, be sure to show up and show up on time. If you are late, you may not be allowed to participate in that session. Also, expect to stay the entire time. If a study session is listed as being 30 min. long, expect to be there for 30 min. Do not sign up for a session if you won't be able to show up on time or to stay the entire time.

As long as a study is running, new days and times will be posted each week. If the times one week don't fit your schedule, then check again the next week.

You may sign up only once for a given study. If you sign up multiple times for the same study, you will not be allowed to participate in the extra sessions and you will not be given extra credit for those extra sign-ups.

If a session has a limited number of slots, and all the slots are full, you may not sign up for that session. If someone has crossed out their name, then you may sign your name in that slot.

What if I can't/don't show up?

If you volunteer to be a participant in a research project, act responsibly. Your attendance will be monitored. If you decide to participate in a research study, then you must participate in good faith. If you do not behave in an ethical, civil, appropriate manner during the session you will not receive any extra credit for that study.

IMPORTANT: Students who fail to attend 3 scheduled times will lose all extra credit that had been previously earned and will not be allowed to receive any extra credit at all for this course. Students who fail to attend 5 scheduled times will receive an "I" (Incomplete) for the course and be required to redo the Research Exposure option the following semester.

If you find out you cannot attend a session for which you've signed up, then if at all possible, you must cancel before that session. You may go over to the bulletin board and cross your name off the sign-up folder or you may call Dr. Waddill (809-2317).

If you call Dr. Waddill to cancel, you must tell her your name, the name of the study, the day, time, and room number of the session that you need to cancel. If you cannot tell her all that information, then she cannot cancel for you. If she is not in her office, leave all the information on her voice mail (voice mail picks up after about 4 or 5 rings).

How many points do I get?

You will earn 1 extra credit point for each 30 min. of research participation (up to the maximum of 18 points -- or 9 hrs). Dr. Waddill will calculate your final number of points by adding together your total minutes of research participation during the semester and then dividing by 30.

You will get a Participation Receipt for each session in which you participate. Keep those receipts; they are your proof of participating. At the end of the semester, Dr. Waddill gets a computerized list of everyone's participation, which she will post in class. It will be your responsibility to make sure all your research participations were printed on the list. If any were left out, you must show her the Participation Receipt for that study so that she can give you credit.

How else can I earn extra credit?

For students who are unable or choose not to take part in the Research Participation Option for extra credit, an Article Review Extra Credit Option and a Written Extra Credit Option (also worth a maximum of 18 points) is available.

In addition, there may be opportunities during the semester to attend certain University functions or participate in other outside activities for extra credit. Your professor will inform you in class which activities are available for extra credit and how extra credit may be earned for those activities. Information on those Other Extra Credit Activities will also be posted on this web site.

The Research Participation Extra Credit, Article Review Extra Credit, Written Extra Credit, and Other Extra Credit Activities options may be combined to help you earn up to 18 total extra credit points.

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