Psychological Experiments FAQs

 

How are points awarded?

            For each hour you participate in experiments, you will receive a one-point increase in your final grade-point average for the class.  For example, if your final average for the class is 89.1 and you participated in 5.5 hours worth of experiments, then your final average for the class will be 94.6.

 

How many points can I receive?

            You can receive up to a maximum of 6 points.

 

How long do experiments run?

            Experiments can range in duration from 30 minutes to several hours.

 

How do I signup for an experiment?

            1. From the main experimetrix window, select “Log.in”

            2. Enter your logon and password. 

                Your logon is your last name and your first name, (e.g., if your name is Thomas Green,

                        your logon is greenthomas). 

                Your password is your student ID#, [e.g., 111223333]

            3. Select “Sign up for Experiments”.  A list of experiments is then displayed.  If you are interested in participating in a given study, select “View Schedule”.  Find a time and date you want and select “Sign-Up”.  Enter your logon and password. 

 

What are my rights as a subject in experiments?

            See http://www.umresearch.umd.edu/IRB/IRBbillorights.html

 

What is the basic procedure for an experiment?

            Show up 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment, sign an “Informed Consent” form, complete the experiment, and receive a credit receipt and a more detailed explanation of the experiment and its scientific purpose.

 

Why do I have to sign an “Informed Consent” form?

            The Informed Consent document contains the basic elements of informed consent as identified in and required by the United States governments regulations regarding the protection of human subjects (45 CFR 46).  As required by this regulation, the informed consent document has been reviewed and approved by the University’s Institutional Review Board and must be agreed to and signed by the person participating in the experiment.

 

Is personal information I provide kept confidential?

            Yes.  University approved provisions are taken to protect your privacy and to maintain confidentiality of any personal information you provide.

 

What happens if I decide to leave an experiment after showing up?

            It is your right to leave the experiment at any point after it starts without penalty.  However, you will receive credit only if you complete the experiment as instructed.

 

How do I cancel an appointment?

If you absolutely have to cancel your appointment, the way to do this without receiving a half-point penalty is to:

1.      From the main experimetrix window, select “Sign.in” and select “View Appointments.”

2.      Select “Cancel”.  You must do this at least 24 hours before your appointment time to insure that the half-point penalty does not occur. 

 

What happens if I do not show for an appointment? 

            You will receive a half-point penalty, which will be subtracted from the points that you have accumulated for participating in experiments. 

 

What if I do not show for an appointment because of an emergency?

            If you have documentation of your emergency and you did not cancel your appointment 24 hours in advance, show the experimenter your documentation within a week of your scheduled appointment and you will not receive a penalty. 

 

What do I do if an experimenter does not show up for the experiment?

            If the experimenter does not show up within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, confirm that you had the correct location (sign in and select “View Appointments”).  If you are/were in the correct location, leave a note or email the experimenter with your name, student #, and the date and time of your appointment.

 

How do I find out how many points I have earned?

            Sign in and select “Past Participation”.

 

How do I change my password?

            Sign in and select “Edit Your Profile.”  Enter your current password and your new password (in both fields). 

 

How do I change my email address?

            You can add a secondary email address in the field provided.

 

What do I do with the credit receipts?

            Hold on to them until the end of the semester.  In the unlikely event that an error occurs on the experimetrix.com website, they are your proof of attendance in the experiments.

 

What is first day to participate in experiments?

            Three days after “last day of drop-add” (September 18, 2003)

 

What is the last day to participate in experiments?

            Last day of classes (December 12, 2003)