Experiment Participation - Extra Credit

(5 points)

For this extra credit assignment you will participate in an experiment and record some of your observations about the experiment. You may do one of two things:

• Participate in an online experiment at http://psychexps.olemiss.edu
• Participate in an actual experiment at DePaul. Ask the instructor if you wish to do this, and she can assist you in finding an experiment in which to participate.

For option 1:

1. Go to Psych Experiments at http://psychexps.olemiss.edu
2. Click on the "What you Need" link at the left side of the screen under the "Getting Started" menu. Here you will find a link that allows you to download the Macromedia Authorware Web Player. You should even be able to download this plug-in on lab computers.
3. After you have downloaded the plug-in, go back to the Psych Experiments home page and click on "Experiments" under the "Getting Started" menu. Now click on "Lab Experiments." You can choose to participate in any of the following:
   • Perception of Gender
   • Be a Juror
   • Implicit Association Test
   • Social Balance
   Click on the experiment in which you wish to participate.
4. After loading an author page / title page will appear, click your mouse to move on the informed consent. Read this and click "Continue." After this click "Yes. I want to participate."
5. You will be asked for your name - enter it (or a fake name if you wish) and hit "Enter." Make sure to record the number assigned to you on the next page so that I can get a record of your participation in the study. Click "Continue."
6. Click "An Interested Person"
7. Answer any of the demographic questions you are asked (gender, age).
8. Read the directions thoroughly and begin the experiment.
9. When you are finished answer the questions below. (Note that on the homepage of the Psych Experiments site, there is a link called "Instructor's Page." This link gives you more information about the study that might be useful in answering the questions. Try to answer the questions before consulting this page.)

For option 2:

1. Participate in one of the actual research studies that is being conducted at DePaul this quarter. If you are interested in this option, please notify the instructor.
2. Make sure to get an informed consent and debriefing document from the experimenter when you participate. You will need to hand these in along with your answers.
3. Answer the questions below after you participate.

Questions to answers following participation:

1. Was the study in which you participated an experiment? Why do/don't you think so? (Use the characteristics of a true experiment that we discussed in class to decide this.)
2. What was/were the independent variable(s) in the study?
3. What was the dependent variable in the study?
4. Was any other information collected from you? Why do you think the researchers wanted this information?
5. Was the study a within-subjects design or a between-subjects design? What clues helped you to answer this question?
6. What was the purpose of the study (in your opinion)?
7. In your opinion, what was the hypothesis?