University students can take part in several psychology experiments via their PAWS desktop.
Janet McDonald, a psychology professor in charge of the department’s experiments, said the experiments have been available on PAWS for two or three years. Faculty members, graduate students and undergraduate students in the department are conducting the studies.
McDonald said the experiments cover a wide range of topics, including smoking, memory, language, clinical issues and eating disorders.
By clicking on “PSYCH Experiments” under the Student Services area of PAWS, students can access studies with such titles as “Problem Solving Toolboxes,” “Subliminal Word Presentation,” “Understanding Complex Events” and “Code Word Game.”
Students can then use PAWS to enroll in various sessions and take part in the experiments.
McDonald said some psychology instructors and professors offer extra credit to students in their classes for taking part in the experiments. McDonald said any other students may participate in the experiments, but may not receive extra credit for their involvement.
According to the official procedures for the experiments, if students are reported as “no-shows” for two sessions, they are no longer allowed to participate in the experiments.
Also, if a student fails to show up for a session without canceling more than once, they are no longer allowed to use the PAWS sign-up system for the rest of the semester.
In addition, students may not participate in any experiment more than once.
McDonald said allowing students to enroll in the sessions via PAWS has made it more convenient for students to sign up for the experiments.
Also, McDonald said the PAWS system allows students to automatically track their extra credit progress.
Students said they had taken part in a limited number of the experiments.
Jayme Marlow, a psychology senior, said she had only taken part in one experiment during her freshman year. However, Marlow said most psychology teachers make it a point to mention the experiments as an extra credit opportunity.
Megan Williams, a psychology senior, said she received extra credit last semester for taking part in an ongoing memory study.
Williams said she thought many students would like to take part in the experiments.
“Most people want to get extra credit,” Williams said.
McDonald said she thought other universities had similar programs available to students, but because LSU’s Computing Services Center developed the program, McDonald said the University is able to avoid the licensing fees some other universities must pay.
Enroll in psych sessions via PAWS
March 3, 2004