Research Participation

General Information

What is Research Participation (RP)?

Research participation (or RP) is the laboratory component of PSYCH 104/105.

As you proceed through these courses, you will see how scientific discovery allows the field of psychology to build knowledge and help solve real-world problems. The RP program gives you a front-row seat to this process. By participating in real studies led by faculty and graduate students in our department, you’ll learn about cutting-edge research and experience firsthand how these projects are conducted.

Does RP affect my grade in PSYCH 104/105?

Yes, RP is worth 10% of your final grade. You can earn up to 5 RP credits in total, where each credit is worth 2%. Make sure to earn at least 1 RP credit during the term to avoid a 'missed term work' notation on your transcript.

I’m re-taking PSYCH 104/105, do I need to do RP again?

Yes, you must complete the RP component each time that you enroll in the course.

When is the deadline to finish my credits?

You have until the final day of classes to earn your RP credits, but we strongly recommend getting started right away.

How long do RP appointments take?

A 1-credit appointment takes up to 50 minutes; a 2-credit appointment takes up to 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Are the research projects safe and confidential?

Yes, all RP projects are carefully screened and approved by both the U of A Research Ethics Board and the RP Program. All are considered minimal risk, in that you will not be placed at any known risk for physical or psychological harm.

Any information you provide during RP appointments is confidential; the only people who will have access to your data are members of the research team and RP Program administrators.

What should I do if I’m registered for accommodations through the Academic Success Centre?

Many different types of RP studies will be available throughout the term, so we recommend checking the RP system regularly to find appointments that you are eligible for and that fit with your schedule.

If you ever have questions about the accessibility or the requirements for a specific appointment, are having difficulties finding suitable projects, or have any other questions or concerns about completing the RP component of your course, please email rescred@ualberta.ca and the RP Coordinator can assist with your inquiry.

What if my question isn’t answered here?

Please email the RP Coordinator at rescred@ualberta.ca. Your course instructor does not have access to the RP system, so be sure to direct all RP-related questions to that email address.

Signing Up for RP Appointments

Are appointments in-person or online?

You can sign up for both in-person and online appointments in RP. If you are in an on-campus or hybrid course section, you can earn a maximum of 3 credits for online sessions; your remaining signups must be for in-person appointments.

• In-person: these sessions are usually held in the Biological Sciences Building.
• Online: these projects are categorized as having either a deadline or a start time:
  • Deadline is used for online surveys that must be completed in a single sitting at any time before the due date.
  • Start time is used for live projects where you meet with a researcher online at a specific time, such as a Zoom session.

How do I sign up for an appointment?

• Start in Canvas: Log in to Canvas and navigate to the RP module in your PSYCH 104 or 105 course. Here, you will find an information section that you can always refer back to during the term; it includes links to both the orientation video and this FAQ page.
• Log in to the RP System: Once you’ve reviewed this information, click ‘Enter RP System’ then ‘Load Enter RP System.’ Make sure to read the ‘Announcements’ and ‘Important Notes’ sections for updates and reminders.
• Navigate to the ‘Credit Status’ page: When you’re ready to proceed, click ‘Manage Appointments.’ This step takes you to the ‘Credit Status’ page, which acts as your main dashboard in the RP system. It shows what projects you have signed up for in your current course as well as any previous PSYCH 104/105 course you have taken.
• Find an appointment: To sign up, click ‘Sign Up for a Session.’ Next, click ‘View Schedule’ for a project. You must review the eligibility restrictions and available timeslots to make sure they fit your schedule (factoring in both travel time and the duration of the session). Click ‘View Details.’
• Sign up and confirm: Once you have double-checked that you are eligible and able to attend the session, click ‘Confirm Signup.’ In addition to the confirmation page, you will receive a signup confirmation email at your UAlberta address and the session will be added to your ‘Credit Status’ page.

Should I sign up for Mass Testing?

Mass Testing is an online survey with a deadline (worth 1 RP credit or 2%) that is open to all students at the start of the Fall and Winter terms.

We strongly recommend taking part in Mass Testing as your first RP project, as the survey responses you provide may expand your signup options later in the term. For example, a researcher may be looking for bilingual study participants. If you indicate on your survey that you speak two languages, you may eventually see their project on your ‘Sign Up for a Session’ page.

Please know that participation in Mass Testing is recommended but optional. If you choose not to complete the survey, you can still earn full marks for RP but there may be fewer appointments available for you to choose from.

If I’m participating remotely, will the RP system show appointment times in my local time zone?

No. All times listed in the RP system are in Edmonton time, regardless of where you are participating from.

How many projects can I sign up for at one time?

To ensure that everyone gets a fair chance to sign up, you will be limited to a maximum of 3 RP credits until about halfway through the term. You can sign up for the remaining 2 credits during the second half of the semester, and an email announcement will be sent out when that signup window opens.

Can I sign up for the same project multiple times?

No. With the exception of Mass Testing (which you can complete each time you enroll in PSYCH 104 or 105), you cannot participate in the same project more than once, even across different terms. The ‘Credit Status’ page lists all of your completed projects from previous terms (excluding Mass Testing).

Why don’t I see any appointments on my ‘Sign Up for a Session’ page?

Don’t worry, this is completely normal, especially if you did not complete the Mass Testing survey. Researchers add new appointments throughout the term, so make sure to check back regularly.

Participating in RP Appointments

How should I prepare for my in-person appointment?

For in-person appointments, it is your responsibility to locate the room a day or two early to avoid getting lost.

Aim to arrive 5 minutes before your session and don’t forget to bring your ONEcard for ID.

What should I do if the building is locked for my evening/weekend appointment?

For evening and weekend appointments, the exterior doors may be locked. In these cases, the researcher will meet you at one of the building's outside doors to let you in for the session. Specific instructions will be provided in the RP system and in your signup confirmation email.

How do I find the link to access my online appointment?

Online RP appointments (including Mass Testing) must be accessed through the RP system ‘Credit Status’ page. Click ‘View Details’ for the project, then click ‘Access Online Study.’

You should only click this button when you are fully ready to participate, as online sessions must be completed in a single sitting.

What happens at the beginning of my appointment?

At the beginning of every RP appointment, you will receive a consent form explaining the study and the tasks involved. Please take your time reading through this form to make sure that you understand the nature of the tasks and your participation options.

Once you have read this information, you will be asked for your consent to participate.

What if I feel uncomfortable participating in the project?

If you decide not to participate in the study after reading the consent form, you can choose to complete an alternate task for RP credit (typically reading a research paper and answering a few questions).

If you agree to participate but then decide later that you do not wish to continue, you may stop responding and exit the study at any time without penalty.

What happens at the end of my appointment?

At the end of every session, you will receive a debriefing form that provides a detailed explanation of the study and why it is important.

What should I do if the researcher doesn’t show up for my appointment?

If you are on time for an in-person appointment or logged into Zoom and the researcher isn't there, please wait 10 minutes past your scheduled start time.

If the researcher does not arrive in that time, please take a screenshot of your Zoom window or a photo of the room location and then leave the session. Email the RP Coordinator as soon as possible with your name, student ID, appointment details, and the screenshot/photo. We will investigate and assign credit as appropriate.

What should I do if there is a technical issue during my online appointment?

If you experience a technical issue during an online appointment, please wait for 5-10 minutes.

If the issue does not resolve in that time, please take a screenshot or photo of the study window (showing the error message or frozen screen, URL, and time) and then leave the session. Email the RP Coordinator as soon as possible with your name, student ID, appointment details, and the screenshot/photo. We will investigate and assign credit as appropriate.

Credits, Attendance, and Cancellations

How will I know if I received credit for my appointment?

When you sign up for an RP appointment, the credit is added to your account AUTOMATICALLY. Once you complete a session, you keep the credit and the appointment status in the RP system does not change.

The appointment status will only be updated if you miss the session, are late, or cancel in advance:

Since there is no completion confirmation message in the RP system, how will I remember if I participated or not?

Check your saved consent and debriefing forms, as these allow you to keep track of your attendance. They also serve as proof of participation if your attendance is ever marked incorrectly.

What if I forget to save the consent and debriefing forms?

If you forget or are unable to save a copy of the forms, we STRONGLY recommend that you record the name/date/time of the appointment and a detailed description of the tasks that you completed for your records.

What should I do if my credit status is incorrect?

Email rescred@ualberta.ca as soon as possible and attach the consent and debriefing forms from the session.

If you do not have these forms, then you can provide a detailed description of the tasks that you completed, as this information can also be used as proof of participation if required. Please note: if there is insufficient evidence of your participation, credit cannot be awarded and the session may be marked as an unexcused absence.

How do I cancel my appointment?

• Advance cancellations: If you are unable to participate in a session you signed up for, you can cancel through the RP system up to 11:59 PM (Edmonton time) the day before your appointment.
  • Click ‘Cancel a Session’ and find the appointment you wish to cancel. Click ‘Proceed to Confirmation Page,’ double-check that you have selected the correct session, and then click ‘Cancel Appointment.’
  • In addition to the confirmation page, you will receive a cancellation confirmation email at your UAlberta address and the session will be removed from your ‘Credit Status’ page.
• Same-day cancellations: If you need to cancel on the day of your appointment due to illness or an urgent matter, you cannot cancel online.
  • Please email rescred@ualberta.ca BEFORE your appointment time and include your full name, student ID number, appointment details, and the reason for your cancellation.
• Canceling in advance allows you to sign up for a replacement appointment without penalty.

What if there was an emergency and I could not cancel in advance?

Even if you feel unwell (cold/flu symptoms, headaches, nausea, etc.), it is your responsibility to cancel your appointment in advance.

Only an incapacitating medical illness or emergency, severe domestic affliction, or other similarly compelling reason will be considered an acceptable reason for missing an appointment without prior notice. If this is the case, you must inform the RP Coordinator within two working days following the missed appointment (or as soon as you are able).

What happens if I don’t cancel my appointment and I’m late or I miss it?

If you do not cancel in advance and then arrive late or miss the session, the credit will be removed from your account and the session will be marked as an unexcused absence.

You are allowed ONE opportunity to make up an unexcused absence by signing up for a different appointment during the term. Please note that accumulating 2 or more unexcused absences will reduce the maximum grade that you can earn for RP to below 10%:

Should I attend Session 2 if I miss Session 1 of a multi-part study?

No. If you do not participate in Session 1 (or if you complete the alternate task for Session 1), you are not eligible for Session 2 and your Session 2 appointment will be cancelled automatically.