Media School researchers conduct many studies that use human subjects. These studies are often conducted in the Institute for Communication Research (ICR), located in Franklin Hall 012.
By participating in one of these studies, you will gain firsthand knowledge of the kind of research done in The Media School, the ethical principles of research, and the variety of questions Media School researchers are trying to answer.
To view and sign up to participate in available studies, you can log in to the Sona scheduling system with your IU credentials. You can also access Sona by downloading the app for to your smartphone (iPhone, Android).
Log into SonaTypically, it takes researchers a few weeks to get studies ready. There may not be many studies available to sign up for at the beginning the semester, so you should expect more opportunities mid- to late-semester. Your 101 instructor will notify you when new studies become available for you to participate in. Additionally, if you wait until the end of the semester, there may be no available appointments left. So plan ahead and schedule early!
All research studies take place in the Institute for Communication Research (ICR). The ICR is in the basement level of Franklin Hall. The easiest way to locate it is to use the front entrance of Franklin Hall and take the right-hand stairs down to the basement floor. Follow the hallway to the right, then turn left. Follow the red arrow signs down the hall, to the vestibule on the right. Make sure to ring the doorbell to notify the researchers that you have arrived.
Make sure to arrive on time (or early!) to your appointment, especially if it is a group study with multiple participants. If you arrive late for a group study, you will not be able to participate if it has already begun.
Participating in a research study may be a requirement or extra credit opportunity for one of your Media School courses. When you log into Sona, make sure you have indicated which Media School course you are enrolled in so your instructor can grant you credit for participating. You can always update this information by clicking “My Profile” on Sona.
Research studies are worth different point values based on the length of the study:
After completing a research study, you will be able to check back on Sona to see how many points you have earned.
A research participation requirement may be a requirement of one of your Media School courses, but your participation in any individual study is voluntary. If you are unable or unwilling to participate in a study, you can complete an alternate assignment. Please email icr@iu.edu for more information about this option.
If you are under 18 years old, email icr@iu.edu to request the alternate assignment to fulfill course credit.
If your birthday is coming up soon, you can wait to sign up for a study until you are 18. Make sure to check the date the subject pool closes to ensure your birthday is before that date.
Return to the Sona website if you need to cancel or reschedule a study appointment.
Please note that the deadline to cancel your appointment is always 12 hours before it is scheduled. This ensures that ICR researchers can be prepared for the correct number of research subjects the following day.
Keeping study appointments is very important. First, most experiments require a lot of work to prepare. ICR researchers take time out of the rest of their busy schedules to run the study, so it is rude to skip the appointment when someone has prepared for you. Second, when you sign up and then skip the appointment you take an opportunity to earn course credit away from another student.
If you do not show up for a scheduled research appointment, this is called a “no-show.” If you no-show for a study appointment, you will be blocked from rescheduling and will receive a zero for research participation in C101.
If you miss your appointment due to an emergency, please email icr@iu.edu to explain.
Research studies must receive approval from the Institutional Review Board to make sure they are safe for human participation before the study begins. Researchers are also required to get your signed consent before you participate.
The researcher will also explain what will happen in the study and give you a chance to ask questions before you participate. If something about the study makes you uncomfortable, you can choose not participate or stop participating at any time during the study.
Contact Megan Connor, research and creative activity coordinator.
