Psychology Subject Pool

Subject Pool is designed to provide subjects for psychological research by faculty and students in the department.

The studies are also designed to be part of the learning experience of introductory psychology.

Student Resources

Overview

Students registered for Fall, Winter, or Summer sessions of Psychology 101 (Introduction to Psychology) must participate in three (3) hours of research studies as a participant in the Introductory Psychology Subject Pool. Participation credit will be assigned in one-hour (1.0) and half-hour (0.5) increments so each study may earn up to 2.0 credits.

Students who are enrolled in night classes or online classes are not exempt from participation.

Students who are under the age of 18 at the beginning of the term (as of September 1, 2021) are EXEMPT from participation in the Subject Pool. This means they do not participate in the studies. They also do not have to submit journal summaries as alternative assignments.

Although one purpose of the participation requirement is to provide participants for psychological research conducted by faculty and students in the department, the studies are also designed to be part of the learning experience of introductory psychology. The studies are designed and conducted by psychology faculty, graduate students, Psychology Honors students, or undergraduates who are conducting research under the mentorship of a faculty member. The collected data are used in psychology journal articles, masters theses, Psychology Honors theses, or undergraduate research papers.

If students prefer not to take advantage of the learning opportunities provided through participation, they may choose to complete the Alternative Assignments. These papers are graded Pass/Fail. Each passing alternative assignment is worth 1 participation credit. If you fail to complete either 3 hours of research studies or alternative assignments, or a combination of both to equal 3 participation credits, you will receive an ‘X’ for the course.

The Subject Pool is managed on-line through the SONA-Systems Research Participation Management System. Students may access the website by clicking on the line, “Subject Pool Research Participation Login” below:

https://umd-umich.sona-systems.com/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=/

All enrolled introductory psychology students who register on time will automatically be registered in the Sona Systems website. Students who register late should contact Prof. Robert Hymes (rhymes@umich.edu or umd.Psych.SubjectPool@umich.edu) to have an account established.

IMPORTANT SUBJECT DATA POOL DEADLINES FOR Winter 2021.

Friday, December 3, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. – Alternative assignments DUE
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. – Final date for running studies. Pre-registration required.

Please click on the following links for more detailed participation requirements.

Participation Procedures and Requirements

Subject Pool Research Participation Login

Experiment Management Instructions for Participants (Students)

Alternative Participation Policies (below)

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, please contact the Subject Pool Administrator: Dr. Robert Hymes, rhymes@umich.edu or umd.Psych.SubjectPool@umich.edu.

Subject Pool Alternative Participation

There are 7 different assignments from which students can select to complete their requirements. Each assignment has an accompanying set of questions which students must answer in order to receive credit. The assignments are posted below:

The Benefits of Playing Video Games

Causes and Consequences of Sleepiness Among College Students

Current Perspectives: The Impact of Cyberbullying on Adolescent Health

The Era of Sport Concussion: Evolution of Knowledge, Practice, and the Role of Psychology

Flourishing in Nature: A Review of the Benefits of Connecting with Nature and its Application as a Wellbeing Intervention

Institutional Betrayal

The Psychology of Defendant Plea Decision Making

Researcher Resources