March 15, 2024

Researchers in various studies looking for participants

Here is a list of research studies that currently are looking for participants. 

Infant word learning study

Families with children ages 22-28 months are needed for a study about how children learn new words. Children learn language by interacting with the world around them using different senses, like sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Researchers are interested in how sensory experiences affect how children learn language.

Families will complete a single one-hour visit at the child-friendly research space at Purdue. Children will do things like learn new words, look at pictures and interact with toys, and caregivers will complete online surveys. Families will receive $30 for visiting the lab plus $10 for completing surveys online, and children will receive a book. 

To confirm eligibility to participate, complete an online survey or contact the Language Learning and Meaning Acquisition (LLaMA) Lab at 765-496-0427 or llamalab@purdue.edu. The principal investigator is Arielle Borovsky, associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. IRB-2022-1471.

 

Toddler word learning study

The Language Learning and Meaning Acquisition (LLaMA) Lab at Purdue is doing a study that may help better diagnose kids with communication challenges in the future. Researchers want to follow families over time as children grow from 30 months to 4 years.

Families will come to the family-friendly lab in Lyles-Porter Hall twice every six months until their child is 48 months. Each visit lasts about one hour. Families will also complete surveys about their child’s language development online and at home every three months. Families will receive $30 for each in-person visit and $10 for each online survey completed for a total of $370 across the entire study.

Families are eligible if their child:

  • Is 27 to 32 months old.
  • Is learning English at home.
  • Has standard vision and hearing.
  • Has not been diagnosed with any cognitive or neurological problems.

The principal investigator is Arielle Borovsky, associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.

To participate or for more information, email project coordinator Claney Outzen at  llamalab@purdue.edu or call 765-496-0427. IRB#: 2020-1025.

 

Summer research: Word learning study for children with speech-language delays

The Child Language Lab is looking for 4- to 5-year-old children with language delay for a summer research program in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. The program will run from 8:45-11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday for four weeks (6/11-7/3/24) at Lyles-Porter Hall.

Each day, the children will receive one hour of language therapy from clinical supervisors and students, spend 30 minutes doing activities such as crafts and play, and participate in research activities for a total of one hour. The research is investigating how children learn new words.

There are approximately 13 sessions: one to two initial testing sessions and 11 research sessions during the summer program. Families will be paid $15 for each of these sessions; children receive a small toy at each visit. There is no compensation for the child's participation in the therapy and play activities (and no fee is charged).

Researchers are scheduling eligibility testing now and will continue through April. The principal investigator is Laurence B. Leonard, the Rachel E. Stark Distinguished Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.

For more information, contact Pat Deevy at 765-496-1821 or deevy@purdue.edu, or visit www.purdue.edu/hhs/ChildLanguageLab. IRB#: 1603017480.

 

Study on dairy food consumption

Researchers are looking for undergraduate students who are willing to participate in focus groups related to dairy food consumption in campus foodservice locations (i.e., dining courts or Purdue Memorial Union food court).

The focus group meetings will last approximately 90 minutes and will occur in March and April 2024 in a conference room in Marriot Hall. Participation in this study is completely voluntary, and volunteers can withdraw from the study at any time. Upon completion, participants will receive a $30 Amazon gift card.

Eligible participants must:

  • Be age 18 or older.
  • Be a Purdue West Lafayette undergraduate student.
  • Have completed the Fall 2023 semester at Purdue West Lafayette. 
  • Consume an average of at least 3 meals/week in the dining court OR purchase an average of at least 1 meal/week from the Purdue Memorial Union food court.

Individuals are not eligible if they are vegan, majoring in nutrition science, dairy science, or hospitality and tourism management, or if they have a dairy allergy (note: individuals with an intolerance or dislike of dairy foods are welcome to participate).

Sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until the study meets a quota of 56 participants. Individuals interested in participating should click on this link.

The principal investigator is Karen Byrd, assistant professor in the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. For more information, contact Byrd at ksbyrd@purdue.edu. IRB-2023-1938

 

Study on infant and toddler vegetable acceptance 

The Child Temperament and Health Lab at Purdue is recruiting families to participate in a research study looking at infants’ responses to vegetables and caregivers' decisions about offering them to their child. Participating in the study will require two study visits, which will take place virtually via Zoom. Each virtual visit will last approximately 60-90 minutes. Participants will receive up to $80 in gift cards for participating.   

Individuals may be qualified to participate if they meet the following criteria:  

  • Child is between 6 months and 24 months of age.
  • Child was born at term (>37 weeks) and has experienced at least one complementary food (e.g., rice cereal).
  • Child has no food allergies or medical conditions.
  • Parent or caregiver is between 18 and 50 years of age. 
  • Participant home is located in the greater Lafayette area of Indiana.

The principal investigator is Kameron Moding, assistant professor in Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Those interested in participating in the study should contact Ellie Kielb at ekielb@purdue.edu and mention the “Infant Vegetable Study." IRB-2019-451.

 

Recruiting participants for a survey on parent feeding strategies

The Child Temperament and Health Lab is looking to recruit parents of preschoolers (3-5 years of age) to participate in a Qualtrics survey conducted by researchers at Purdue. The survey will be conducted fully online and takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. Participants will be compensated $15 for their time.

The principal investigator is Kameron Moding, assistant professor in Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Individuals interested in participating in this study should contact Ellie Kielb at ekielb@purdue.edu with the header "Parent Feeding Strategies Survey.” IRB-2022-482.

 

Research study on cognitive autonomy for humans

The Jain Research Lab in the School of Mechanical Engineering is looking for volunteers who are willing to participate in a virtual quadrotor flying task and answer questions regarding their cognitive states during the completion of the task.

Participants must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision (glasses or contact lenses are acceptable).
  • Not have known hearing impairments. 

The experiment will last approximately 45 minutes. Upon completion, participants will earn at least $20/hour. Participation in this study is completely voluntary and volunteers can withdraw from the study at any time. If participants leave before completion, they will be paid at least $5 per 20 minutes of time completed (rounded to the nearest 20-minute interval).

Experimental sessions will be scheduled Feb. 8-March 31 with timeslots available 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Timeslots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. The experiment will take place in the Herrick Laboratories, Room 44.

Those interested in participating should complete the interest survey. For more information, email Jain Research Lab at Purdue.CPS@gmail.com.

The principal investigators are Brandon Pitts, assistant professor of industrial engineering; Tahira Reid-Smith, adjunct professor of mechanical engineering; Inseok Hwang, professor of aeronautics and astronautics; and Neera Jain, associate professor of mechanical engineering. IRB-2020-755.

 

Capturing real-world movement behavior using IMUs

Researchers are looking for individuals ages 18-80 for a study being conducted at Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus. This research examines the ability of wearable sensors to capture walking behavior in individuals across the adult lifespan. To participate, individuals must be able to independently walk for at least 10 minutes without assistance and must have normal or corrected-to-normal vision.

Participation involves one visit to the lab lasting about 60 minutes. During the visit, participants will have small sensors (about the size of a watch face) placed on their forehead, ankles and waist. They will then be asked to perform different walking behaviors, such as walking with their eyes closed or walking while tilting their head. Participants will receive $10 for completing the study.

If interested, contact Jeffrey M. Haddad, principal investigator and associate professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, at jmhaddad@purdue.edu. IRB-2020-1253.

 

Health effects of grain foods in adults

Participants are needed by the Department of Nutrition Science to study the health effects of grain foods.

Participants must:

  • Be age 21 to 60.
  • Have a hemoglobin A1c of 5.7-6.4%.
  • Be a nonsmoker.
  • Have no sensitivity or allergy to grain foods.

Participants have the potential to earn up to $1,000 in 14 weeks. Contact Giorgia at grutigli@purdue.edu to participate or for more information. The principal investigator is Richard Mattes, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Nutrition Science. IRB-2023-1071.

 

 

Determining associations between oral cysteine exposure and bacteria that produce genotoxic hydrogen sulfide via cysteine metabolism

The Wolf Research Lab in the Department of Nutrition Science is conducting a study to learn more about bacteria and items people put in their mouths, like food and tobacco products.   

This study may be a good fit for individuals if they are: 

  • 18-80 years old.
  • Not pregnant.
  • Have not taken antibiotics in the past six months.

Individuals who decide to take part in the research study will:  

  • Come to Purdue for one screening visit and two research visits.
  • Have their weight, height, body composition and calorie needs measured. 
  • Complete several surveys about health, diet and experiences.
  • Provide a stool and saliva sample.

Participants will receive a $25 gift card to compensate for their time and reimbursement for travel. To learn more about this research, contact Patricia Wolf, principal researcher and assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition Science, at 765-496-0143 or email wolfpm@purdue.edu. IRB #IRB-2023-916.

 

Human automation interaction study

The Jain Research Lab in the School of Mechanical Engineering is looking for students who are willing to participate in an experiment to develop a model of human cognitive states that autonomous systems can use to improve human machine interactions.

Participants must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Have a valid U.S. driver’s license.
  • Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision (but should not wear glasses) and no form of color blindness.
  • Should not be susceptible to motion sickness.

The experiment will last approximately 60 minutes. Upon completion, participants will earn $20/hour. Participation in this study is completely voluntary and volunteers can withdraw from the study at any time. If participants leave before completion, they will be paid at least $5 per 20 minutes of time completed (rounded to the nearest 20-minute interval). The experiment will take place in Herrick Acoustics 45.

Individuals interested in participating should fill out an online form. For more information, email Jain Research Lab at jainlab@purdue.edu. More information on available experiment sessions will be sent out to those who are interested. The principal investigator is Neera Jain, associate professor of mechanical engineering. IRB-2022-987.

 

Patients with Parkinson's disease or stroke needed for swallowing study

Researchers are recruiting patients with a history of stroke or Parkinson disease with dysphagia for a swallowing and sensors study.

Individuals may be eligible to participate if they are:

  • 55-90 years old and experiencing swallowing difficulties, and 
  • Willing to come to the lab for free swallowing evaluations up to two times (first visit: approx. 2.5 hours; second visit: approx. 2.5-3 hours). Most participants will be asked to come only once. 

Individuals receive up to $55 for participation in both visits.  

If interested, email swallowinglab@purdue.edu or call 765-496-0207 for more information. The principal investigator is Georgia A. Malandraki, professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. IRB# 2021-1247.

 

Child-mother storytelling and play study, and child behavior in preschool

Researchers in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies are seeking families with children between the ages of 40 and 66 months (approx. 3.5-5.5 years) to participate in a study on child-mother interactions and storytelling.

Participation in the study includes two short visits (15 minutes and 10 minutes) in your home and one laboratory visit on Purdue's campus (90-100 minutes). In addition, mothers will answer some questionnaires. Parents must be 18 years or older to be eligible to participate.

A payment of $30 will be given to participating mothers as appreciation for their time. Individuals who are interested and want more information should contact Geurim at familyinteractionslab@purdue.edu. Include your child’s name and date of birth, your name, a telephone number or e-mail address to reach you, and the best time to be contacted.

The principal investigator is German Posada, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. IRB#: 2021-1189.

 

Study on how the brain combines sight and sound for children with language difficulty

Children who have language difficulty are needed for a study on how the brain combines sight and sound.

To participate, children must meet the following criteria:

  • 8-12 years old.
  • Normal nonverbal intelligence.
  • Have difficulty using or understanding language, which may include some of the following: 
    • Small vocabulary.
    • Slow to process written/oral language or have difficulty following instructions.
    • Grammatical errors when speaking (such as sometimes omitting the past tense -ed or the plural -s) 
    • Poor short-term memory for language. 
    • Speak in sentences that are shorter or simpler than typical for their age.
    • May have a diagnosis of learning disability, language delay, or sound processing disorder.
  • No neurological disorders such as autism, seizures or cerebral palsy (we can include children with ADHD/ADD).
  • Can be either monolingual or bilingual. However, if bilingual, English must be the primary language. 

Children will participate in up to eight research sessions. Each session will last 1.5-2 hours. During the first two sessions, standardized tests will be administered that will evaluate children’s nonverbal intelligence and language skills. During the last six sessions, children’s brain activity will be recorded with the help of a special cap with built-in electrodes (similar to EEG recordings) while they are doing different tasks. There is no discomfort involved, and the method has been safely used with infants, children and adults. Families can withdraw at any time.

Benefits for families:

  • Parents receive a detailed report on hearing and vision screening, nonverbal intelligence and comprehensive language and literacy skills of their child.
  • Children are paid $10/hour and receive a small toy for each visit.
  • Parents are paid $10/session to help with gas expenses.

For more information or to participate, contact Jennifer Schumaker at jschumak@purdue.edu or 765-494-4445 (leave a message). Learn more about the lab online.

The primary investigator is Natalya Kaganovich, Natalya Kaganovich, associate professor of speech, language and hearing sciences and psychological sciences. IRB#: 0909008484.

 

Study on how the brain combines sight and sound for school-aged children 

School-aged children are needed for a study on how the brain combines sight and sound.

To participate, children must meet the following criteria:

  • 8 years old.
  • Normal nonverbal intelligence.
  • Typical language skills.
  • Right-handed.
  • No neurological disorders such as autism, seizures or cerebral palsy (we can include children with ADHD/ADD).
  • Can be either monolingual or bilingual. However, if bilingual, English must be the primary language. 

Children will participate in up to eight research sessions. Each session will last 1.5-2 hours. During the first two sessions, standardized tests will be administered that will evaluate children’s nonverbal intelligence and language skills. During the last six sessions, children’s brain activity will be recorded with the help of a special cap with built-in electrodes (similar to EEG recordings) while they are doing different tasks. There is no discomfort involved, and the method has been safely used with infants, children and adults. Families can withdraw at any time.

Benefits for families:

  • Parents receive a detailed report on hearing and vision screening, nonverbal intelligence and comprehensive language and literacy skills of their child.
  • Children are paid $10/hour and receive a small toy for each visit.
  • Parents are paid $10/session to help with gas expenses.

For more information or to participate, contact Jennifer Schumaker at jschumak@purdue.edu or 765-494-4445 (leave a message). Learn more about the lab online.

The primary investigator is Natalya Kaganovich, Natalya Kaganovich, associate professor of speech, language and hearing sciences and psychological sciences. IRB#: 0909008484.

 

Genetic and environmental risks factors and neurodegenerative disease

Adults with symptoms of dementia are needed for a research study on genetic and environmental risk factors and neurodegenerative disease.

The purpose of this research study is to discover new combinations of genetic and environmental risk factors that may contribute to the development of memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, spinal muscular atrophy, Lewy body disease and Friedreich ataxia. Researchers are focusing on risk factors that are likely to occur in rural Indiana. 

The sibling pairs must:

  • Be 60-80 years old.
  • Be of the same sex (e.g., two brothers or two sisters).
  • Have lived in rural Indiana area for at least the first two years of their life.
  • Have one person with at least moderate symptoms of neurodegenerative disease and one who does not.

Each person will be compensated $80 for one two-hour session. For more information, contact Monica Bozymski at 765-496-4823 at mbozymsk@purdue.edu. IRB-2022-814.

 

Research study for breast cancer survivors and their partners

Purdue researchers are looking for breast cancer survivors and their romantic partners to complete a study exploring how relationships and stress affect couples' health during survivorship. The study is looking for couples who live together and who have completed breast cancer treatment. Researchers are interested in relationships that are going well and those that are experiencing difficulties.

Participants may be compensated up to $250 as a couple for their time. This study has multiple ways to participate, depending on interests and availability. Participation could involve an online survey followed by a seven-day diary study with short questionnaires on a mobile app; completing one study visit as a couple (two hours) at Purdue; and/or wearing a heart rate monitor and collecting blood samples from the convenience of home.

Click this link to fill out the screening questionnaire. For more information, email RelationshipsAndHealthLab@Purdue.edu, call 812-518-9498, or visit the study website. The principal investigator is Rosie Shrout, assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. IRB No. IRB-2022-538.

 

Research study on adults with hearing loss

Researchers are recruiting adults who wear a hearing aid or who think they need a hearing aid. The studies are being conducted by the Experimental Amplification Research (EAR) Laboratory at Purdue to understand the difficulties individuals with hearing loss have when listening to speech in noise and how hearing aid technology can be improved.

Participants will be paid $20 an hour for several one or two-hour sessions. The principal investigator is Joshua Alexander, associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. For more information, contact the Purdue EAR Lab at PurdueEarlab@gmail.com. IRB#: 1406014978.

 

Baby Exploration Project

Researchers are inviting families with babies up to 2-years-old in the West Lafayette-Lafayette and surrounding areas to participate in a study of how babies explore their home environment.

A researcher will visit participants at home for two to three hours while families and the baby go about daily activities. Participants will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

For more information, visit www.baby-exploration-project.org. To sign up, contact Paige Thompson at motordev@purdue.edu.

The principal investigator is Laura Claxton, associate professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Purdue IRB# 2021-1249/ NYU IRB# FY2021-5660.

 

An hour in the life of babies at home

Researchers are inviting 1,000 families across the United States with babies up to 2-years-old to participate in a study.

A researcher will visit participants at home for two to three hours while families and the baby go about daily activities. Participants will receive $50 for participating.

For more information on how to sign up, visit www.anhourinthelife.org or contact the Purdue Motor Development Lab in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at motordev@purdue.edu. The principal investigator is Laura Claxton, associate professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. BRANY IRB# 18-017-600 / Purdue IRB# 2019-26.

 

Healthy adult research participants needed for language study

Principal investigator Jiyeon Lee, associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, is seeking participants for a language study for healthy adults.

The study will be up to 12 sessions, and each session lasts approximately two hours. Testing will be conducted at Lyles-Porter Hall. To be eligible, individuals should be 40-85 years old, be a native speaker of English and have general good health. If eligible, participation will be compensated and free parking is available.

For more information, contact aphasia@purdue.edu, call 765-496-0216, or visit the Aphasia Research Laboratory website. IRB-2021-659.

 

Individuals with aphasia needed for study

The Purdue Aphasia lab invites people with aphasia to participate in a new NIH-funded training study. Participation will help researchers to better understand language recovery in aphasia, in hopes to develop new language treatments.

To be eligible, individuals should have aphasia as a result of a stroke, have no history of other neurological conditions (dementia, Parkinson’s disease, etc.) and be a native speaker of English. Eligibility for this training study will be determined after the initial language evaluation.

Studies will be conducted at Lyles-Porter Hall, at the Indianapolis lab site or virtually via Zoom. Participants, if eligible, will be compensated $20 per session, and free garage parking is provided.

The principal investigator is Jiyeon Lee, associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. For more information, contact aphasia@purdue.edu, call 765-496-0216, or visit the Aphasia Research Laboratory website. IRB-2021-659.

 

Study on how the brain combines sight and sound for school-aged children 

School-aged children are needed for the study on how the brain combines sight and sound.

To participate, children must meet the following criteria: 

  • 8- to 12-year-old boys and 8-year-old girls.
  • Normal nonverbal intelligence.
  • Typical language skills.
  • Right-handed.
  • No neurological disorders such as autism, seizures or cerebral palsy (we can include children with ADHD/ADD).
  • Can be either monolingual or bilingual. However, if bilingual, English must be the primary language. 

Children will participate in up to eight research sessions. Each session will last 1.5-2 hours. During the first two sessions, standardized tests will be administered that will evaluate children’s nonverbal intelligence and language skills. During the last six session, children’s brain activity will be recorded with the help of a special cap with built-in electrodes (similar to EEG recordings) while they are doing different tasks. There is no discomfort involved, and the method has been safely used with infants, children and adults. Families can withdraw at any time.

Benefits for families:

  • Parents receive a detailed report on hearing and vision screening, nonverbal intelligence and comprehensive language and literacy skills of their child.
  • Children are paid $10/hour and receive a small toy for each visit.
  • Parents are paid $10/session to help with gas expenses.

For more information or to participate, contact Jennifer Schumaker at jschumak@purdue.edu or 765-494-4445 (leave a message). Learn more about the lab online.

The primary investigator is Natalya Kaganovich, Natalya Kaganovich, associate professor of speech, language and hearing sciences and psychological sciences. IRB#: 0909008484.

 

Study on High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and mindfulness activity on cognition

Young adults ages 18-30 are needed to participate in a research study on how cognitive changes occur as a result of HIIT and mindfulness activity. 

Participants will be compensated $45 total for completing the study. Participation requires one visit to the Lambert Fieldhouse. The visit may last 2.5-3 hours, involving questionnaires, computer games, interval exercise and assessment of brain activation (i.e., electroencephalogram [EEG]).

For more information, contact the Physical Activity and NeuroCognitive Health Lab at panchlaboratory@purdue.edu in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Professor Shih-Chun Kao in the Department of Health and Kinesiology is the principal investigator. IRB-2022-1416.

 

Studies looking for Asian and multiracial individuals and families

Researcher in the Antiracism, Resistance, Identity, Socialization, and Equity (ARISE) Lab study how talking about race, ethnicity and culture impacts identity development and mental health.

Researchers are recruiting:

  • Multiracial/biracial/mixed race youth and adults.
  • Parents of multiracial youth.
  • Asian American youth and adults.

By filling out this short 1–3-minute survey, individuals can be added to the lab’s email list. They will have the option to sign up for newsletters that will share resources, an advice column and fun features like pop culture news and recipes from their community that are family-friendly. Individuals can also sign up for the lab’s participant pool to receive invitations to ongoing studies.

Participation in studies would involve tasks such as completing brief and potentially compensated anonymous surveys or interviews to share personal experiences and perspectives so researchers can learn more about multiracial and Asian American youth and families.

Questions can be directed to Annabelle Atkin, principal investigator and assistant professor of human development and family science, at ariselab123@gmail.com. IRB-2023-249.

  

How children think and feel during and after exercise 

Children ages 8-10 are needed for a research study on how children think and feel during and after exercise.

Participation in this study requires two visits on separate days to the Physical Activity and NeuroCognitive Health (PANCH) Laboratory in Lambert Fieldhouse. The first visit may last approximately three hours and involve computer games and a fitness test. The second visit may last about three hours and involve health-related and demographic questionnaires, two sessions of 20-minute aerobic exercise, and recoding of brain waves using techniques such as electroencephalogram (EEG). Participation in this study will be compensated by a maximum total of $100.

Shih-Chun Kao, assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, is the principal investigator. To participate or for more information, email panchlaboratory@purdue.edu or call 765-496-7781. IRB-2021-955.


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