11. The SONA page - Everything you need to know about research participation and SONA

Author

Ruth Hurley & Margriet Groen

Overview

Here we summarise everything you need to know about the research participation component of the research methods and stats modules in your first year (PSYC4141 and PSYC4242).

We explain:

  1. Why research participation is important
  2. What SONA is and how you go about collecting SONA credits
  3. How SONA credits contribute to your grade
  4. Your first study … collect your first two SONA credits
  5. What to do if you want to report an issue or you have a question

You can navigate to each in the side bar on the right

1. Why research participation is important

Why take part in research as a participant?

Taking part in psychological research is one of the most direct ways to understand how research works. A textbook or lecture can only take you so far. Experiencing a study from the inside shows you things that are hard to appreciate otherwise.

As a participant, you see how researchers turn abstract ideas into something measurable: how instructions are worded, how tasks are designed, how conditions are manipulated and how responses are recorded. You may notice how your own expectations shape what you do. These are the same issues you’ll need to think critically about in your own designs, such as demand characteristics, operationalisation and measurement validity.

You also see research ethics in practice, from information sheets and informed consent to the right to withdraw and debriefing. Knowing what it feels like to be on the receiving end helps you design studies that treat participants with care.

Finally, participation shows you why sample size and representativeness matter, and why your own research will depend on others being willing to take part. Seeing a range of studies can also spark ideas for your own projects, including your dissertation.

In short, being a participant helps you become a better researcher. It connects what you learn in class to real practice.

You can download the slides for all the pre-recorded lecture parts on research participation and SONA here: Sona slides

Introduction and research examples (~3 minutes) The SONA coordinator introduces the scheme.

2. What is SONA and how to collect SONA credits

Study participation via SONA (~7 minutes) About how the SONA system works, who the researchers and the participants are.

3. How do SONA credits contribute to your grade

Course requirements and learning outcomes (~6 minutes) Explains how many SONA credits you need and how they contribute to your grade. It also talks you through what you’ll learn from completing the research participation requirement.

4. Your first study … collect your first two SONA credits

4.1 Taking part in your first study (~9 minutes) Talks you through how to set up your account and take part in your first study.

Important

Link to the SONA system: https://lancs.sona-systems.com/

4.2 Tips on collecting SONA credits and SONA Support (~10 minutes) Provides tips on how to make sure you collect your SONA credits on time

5. What to do if you want to report an issue or you have a question

If you have problems with your SONA account in the first 3 weeks of term, use this form to report them.

This includes issues such as:

  • you are unable to create an account
  • you accidentally created an account using a non-LU email address
  • your course needs to be changed

For general SONA queries, you can email the SONA coordinator (Dr. Ruth Hurley) on: .

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