Staff
research undertaken by Edge Hill University’s Psychology department is playing
a major part in furthering international knowledge about the workings of the
mind, with tutors now looking for individuals to help out.

“Psychology
is a science and all psychological knowledge derives from studies conducted by
researchers”, explains Dr Lauren Knott, Lecturer in Psychology. “As part of
this process participants take part in experiments and help academics understand
how people will act and react in certain situations.”
 

Lauren
continues, “Staff research conducted at Edge Hill reflects our specialisms,
with past projects including memory studies, where participants watch a video
of a crime and later have to remember what they saw; attitude studies, where
pictures of people and objects are shown and then the participants’ attitudes
towards them is measured; video game-based studies, where the positive effects
of game playing on behaviour are assessed, as well as studies in
problem-solving ability.”
 

The
department is now looking for people to assist with their latest studies for
which they will receive payment, “Helping out in studies such as these is ideal
for Psychology students who themselves are required to carry out experiments and
write-up their findings. By taking part they can gain vital experience and
understanding of the research process, which in turn helps them to become more
job-ready when they graduate.” Lauren adds, “For non-Psychology students, this
provides an opportunity to see what research in a subject unfamiliar to them
involves. As well as this, they will also be playing a key role in supporting
the University and helping to answer important psychological questions.”
 

Dr
Knott concludes, “By collecting data from experiments, the Psychology
department is contributing to key areas such as memory, social identity, mental
toughness and factors that influence learning and achievement, to name but a
few. The reputation and standing of universities, and the departments within
them, largely depends on the amount of research they publish and the impact
this research has within the various disciplines.”
 

Participants
can be assured that all data collected in each study is completely confidential
and anonymous and is only used for research purposes. The results of
experiments are analysed and disseminated in national and
international psychological research journals, which then helps to further the
reputation of Edge Hill.
 

All
studies are ethically approved and typically last between 15 and 45 minutes.
Payment varies depending on the length of the study and participants will
receive information about each study prior to taking part.
 

To
find out more, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/psychology/research-participation