The Psychological Science Human Subjects Lab Pool provides access to a large subject pool of undergraduate students for recruitment in “no more than minimal risk” research studies (i.e., Exempt or Expedited Research only). We use the web-based human subject pool management software Sona Systems in order for researchers to recruit participants.
You may download the Sona mobile app (available in Apple App Store and Google Play Store). The app includes key functionality like credit granting, but more complicated tasks like creating a study still require the web interface.
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Sona Basics
In the system, you create studies. Each study may have a number of timeslots, which are the times you plan to run the study. Participants can sign up for the timeslots by viewing a list of studies and available timeslots. You can grant or revoke credit to participants after the session occurs.
Sona Researcher Manual
If you need a Sona Researcher account, please submit the Sona Researcher Account Request Form.
In order to start using the HS Lab Pool to recruit participants, researchers must:
- Obtain appropriate approval to recruit via the HS Lab Pool. All protocols must be submitted though the Kuali Research Protocols (KRP), UCI’s IRB, sIRB and hSCRO submission and management system. Questions about KRP should be directed to Human Research Protections.
- Request a Sona Researcher account (if needed). You will receive an email once your account has been created.
- Add your study to Sona. Reference the Sona Researcher Manual for guidance.
- Once you have added your study to Sona you must send a request to have it reviewed and approved. Do this by clicking “Send Request” under the Study Status section of your study in Sona.
- The HS Lab will review your study in Sona and confirm your protocol approval status in KRP. You will be contacted with any questions or issues. You will receive an email notification once your study has been approved and activated.
- You may now create timeslots. Once timeslots have been created, your study will appear on the list of available studies from which participants may sign up.
Researchers who wish to recruit participants via the HS Lab Pool must provide compensation via course credit. Monetary compensation is only permitted in addition to, not in lieu of, course credit. It cannot be offered as a substitute for course credit and may only be used in addition to course credit.
Researchers are responsible for reviewing information and adhering to all policies available on the Human Research Protections page. Departments may have additional policies regarding allowable types of monetary compensation.
The following information should be included in your Protocol Narrative and Study Information Sheet/Consent Form under Compensation: Make sure to state that participants will be compensated at a rate comparable to their participation. Every 30 minutes of participation equals .5 Sona credits.
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