Researchers in various studies looking for participants

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

 

Research study on adults bothered by sudden sounds or with hearing loss

Researchers are recruiting adults who are bothered by sudden sounds (loud or soft) OR who think they have hearing loss. 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.

 

Linguistics study on sentence processing and production

Heritage speakers of Mandarin Chinese (individuals who grew up in the U.S. with Mandarin-speaking family) are wanted for a linguistics study on sentence processing and production. Participants will read and say sentences displayed on a computer. The study takes place in a campus lab and compensates $15 for 80 minutes.

The study is also recruiting advanced learners of Mandarin (those who have taken more than five semesters of college-level Chinese).

Criteria for both groups are below: 

Heritage speakers

• 18-65 years old.
• Completed primary/secondary education in the U.S. 
• Grew up in the U.S. (less than three years living abroad in childhood; visiting other countries does not count toward total).
• Have at least one parent who is a Mandarin native speaker. 
• Can understand some Mandarin from having learned it in childhood but are English-dominant.

Advanced speakers

• 18-65 years old. 
• Did not grow up with Mandarin-speaking family. 
• Have taken five semesters of college-level courses in Mandarin.

The principal investigator is Elaine Francis, professor of English. E-mail sheuv@purdue.edu for more information. IRB-2022-387.

 

Pilot study on neurocognitive and physical activity profile among older adults at risk of financial abuse

Adults age 60 and over are needed to participate in a study on neurocognitive and physical activity in relation to financial abuse. Researchers want to see how individual characteristics, including neurocognitive and physical activity, are related to financial decision making.

To qualify, individuals must be age 60 and over, speak English and not have cognitive impairment.

Participants will join the study on two separate days. The screening is about one hour, involving demographic questionnaires and surveys to capture physical activity, social network and financial experiences. It can be done at the Purdue campus, via phone or via webconference. The lab visit is about two hours, involving computer games and recording of brain waves using electroencephalogram (EEG) in Lambert Fieldhouse.

Participants will be compensated $15 for the screening. If selected for the lab visit, participants will be compensated for an additional $45 for completing the study.

The principal investigator is Marian Liu, assistant professor of nursing. Individuals interested in participating or who would like to learn more should contact Liu at marianliu@purdue.edu. IRB-2022-1645.

 

Study on how the brain combines sight and sound (men ages 18-40)

Men ages 18-40 are needed for a study on how the brain combines sight and sound.

Participants will take part in up to four brain-wave recording sessions. Brain waves will be collected with the help of a special cap with built-in electrodes (similar to EEG recordings). There is no discomfort involved, and the method has been safely used with infants, children and adults.

To participate, men must be ages 18-40; right-handed; native speakers of American English; free of speech, language, hearing/vision or neurological disorders and conditions such as autism/Asperger’s, head injuries, seizures, brain tumors, cerebral palsy, ADHD, stuttering and depression; and should not be currently on medications that may affect brain activity (e.g., medications to control ADHD, seizures, anxiety or depression).

Participants will be compensated $10 per hour. Evening and weekend sessions are available, if needed.

This study is conducted by Natalya Kaganovich, associate professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences and of psychological sciences.

To participate or for more information, visit the participant webpage or contact Jennifer Schumaker at jschumak@purdue.edu or 765-494-4445. IRB#: 0909008484.

 

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 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday for four weeks (6/13 to 7/6) at Lyles-Porter Hall. Researchers will strictly adhere to all guidelines for PPE and cleaning outlined in the Protect Purdue guidelines to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 virus.

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 14 sessions: one to two initial testing sessions and 12 research sessions during the summer program. Families will be paid $10 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. 

 

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 their children grow from 18 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 $450 across the entire study.

Families are eligible if their child is:

• 16 to 18 months old.
• Identifies as a racial or ethnic minority.
• Learning English at home.
• Has standard vision and hearing.
• Not 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.

 

Hearing loss and fall risk

This study is being conducted in the Speech Perception and Cognitive Effort (SPACE) Lab by Alexander Francis, associate professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.  

Researchers are looking for adults ages 65-80 who fit the following criteria:

• No known problems with balance or walking in everyday life.
• No diagnosis of dementia or neurological conditions that affect hearing, balance or walking (stroke, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, brain injury, diabetic neuropathy, etc.).
• Able to communicate comfortably using only spoken English.

AND 

• Unilateral or bilateral hearing aids with moderately severe thresholds (70 dB) or better. 

OR

• No known difficulties with hearing.

Researchers plan to enroll 64 participants, 32 with hearing aids and 32 without. 

Participation requires one two- to three-hour visit to the laboratory and completion of a four-month survey of daily fall risk (about five minutes/day for 120 days). Participants will be compensated with $250 upon completion of the study. Amounts will be pro-rated for participants who do not complete the entire four-month fall survey.  

To participate or for more information, contact Alexander Francis at the SPACE Lab at spacelab@purdue.edu or 765-494-6710 (leave message with contact info). IRB-2022-496.

 

Participants enrolled in Japanese and Chinese courses needed for linguistics study  

Students enrolled in 200, 300, and 400 level Japanese and Chinese courses are needed to take part in a laboratory study on tone and pitch accent production.

Participants will come to the Phonetics lab on campus for three sessions where they will listen and repeat audio, and use visualizations of speech to compare with native speaker productions. The total estimated time for completion is 2.5 hours (two 1-hour sessions, and one 30-minute session). Participants will be compensated at a rate of $10 per hour, for a total of $25 dollars.

The principal investigator is Daniel J. Olson, associate professor of languages and cultures. For more information, contact Alexis Zhou at atews@purdue.edu.  IRB-2022-1439.

 

Skeletal muscle microvascular dysfunction in obesity

Men and women ages 18-40 are sought for a study investigating skeletal muscle blood vessel function in individuals with and without obesity.

This study will involve procedures including blood draw, muscle biopsy and analysis of blood vessel function. Compensation includes $150 payment upon completion of the entire project.

Participants must: 

• Be healthy.
• Be 18-40 years old. 
• Be sedentary (exercise less than three days per week, 20 minutes per day). 
• Have no known cardiovascular or metabolic disease. 
• Be nonsmoking.

The principal investigator is Timothy Gavin, professor of health and kinesiology. To participate, contact Lundon Burton at Purdue’s Wastl Human Performance Laboratory at burto119@purdue.edu. IRB#: 2020-1849.

 

Relationships between teachers’ multicultural training, shared multicultural beliefs, autonomy and self-efficacy in multicultural environments

Researchers are seeking high school teachers with experience teaching students with diverse cultural backgrounds. Teachers are invited to share their experiences with culturally diverse students, related professional development and their perceptions about their school's climate for students with different cultural backgrounds. 

Participants will share their experiences during a virtual Zoom interview that will be audio-recorded and last for approximately one hour. Participants will receive $50 per hour for the interview. 

Those interested in participating should fill out and online form. The principal investigator is Anne Traynor, associate professor of educational studies. For more information, contact Ming-Min Cheng at cheng637@purdue.edu. IRB-2022-1612.

 

 

Study on how the brain combines sight and sound (boys and girls ages 8-12)

Boys and girls ages 8-12 are needed for a study on how the brain combines sight and sound.

Natalya Kaganovich, associate professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences and psychological sciences, is studying how the brain’s ability to combine auditory and visual information develops in childhood and how it may be impaired in speech/language disorders.

Children will participate in up to eight research sessions. Each session will last one and one-half to two 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 collected while they are doing different tasks. Brain-wave recording sessions are structured as games. Brain waves will be collected with the help of a special cap with built-in electrodes (similar to EEG recordings). There is no discomfort involved, and the method has been safely used with infants, children and adults.

To participate, children must be 8-12 years old; typically developing; right-handed; native speakers of American English; free of speech, language, hearing/vision or neurological disorders and conditions such as autism/Asperger’s, head injuries, seizures, brain tumors, cerebral palsy, ADHD, stuttering and depression; and not currently on medications that may affect brain activity (e.g., medications to control ADHD, seizures or depression).

Children will be compensated $10 per hour and will receive a small toy (worth approximately $5) at the end of each session. Parents also will be paid $10 per session. Evening and weekend sessions are available, if needed.

To participate or for more information, contact Jennifer Schumaker at jschumak@purdue.edu or 765-494-4445. IRB#: 0909008484.

 

Understanding the relationship of the gut microbiota on host health

The MINION research team in the Department of Nutrition Science is seeking individuals to participate in a study that aims to better understand the relationship of the gut microbiota on host health. The study requires approximately 1.5 hours of time to fill out a health survey and give a blood and fecal sample.

Researchers are seeking individuals over the age of 18 who have not taken antibiotics in six months. Participants will receive $20. Those interested should contact clapp5@purdue.edu.

The principal investigator for the study is Tzu-Wen Cross, assistant professor in Nutrition Science. IRB-2020-07.

  

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.

 

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 eight 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, individuals will be paid $20 per session 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 or the Indianapolis lab site. 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 workplace incivility and identity

Researchers are looking for men and women who would like to volunteer for a research study that will look at individual’s experiences with workplace incivility. Specifically, this study explores how targets’ multiple identities (i.e., age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, race) relate to their experiences with workplace incivility.

Workplace incivility encompasses destructive workplace behaviors that show a lack of regard for others, including but not limited to, rudeness, exclusion, shaming, micro-aggressions, bullying, sexual harassment, aggression and workplace violence.

Participants will share their experiences during an interview that will be audio-recorded and last for approximately one hour (in-person, virtual or via telephone). Interested participants will be over 18 years old and have experienced workplace incivility in a professional workplace setting.

Individuals interested in participating in this study should email principal investigator Jennifer Linvill, assistant professor of technology leadership and innovation, at jlinvill@purdue.edu for more information. IRB#: 1801020057.

 

Study on probiotics and lactose intolerance symptoms

The Department of Nutrition Science is conducting a study to see how probiotics impact lactose intolerance symptoms.

Participants must be healthy, nonsmoking, ages 18-65, and not allergic to milk but believe they are lactose intolerant. Other criteria for study participation apply.

This study will consist of a screening day and two testing days approximately 14 days apart. Participants will be required to come to Stone Hall for approximately two consecutive hours on the screening day and eight hours for each testing day.  Participants also will be asked to track any symptoms related to lactose intolerance for two weeks following their last testing day. Participants will receive up to $200 for completing the study.

The principal investigator is Dennis Savaiano, the Virginia C. Meredith Professor of Nutrition Policy. Those interested in participating should contact Anne Wilcox at akwilcox@purdue.edu. IRB# 2021-1099.

 

Measuring characteristics of casual speech

Researchers are seeking up to 40 participants for a study of casual speech characteristics. Participants will be recorded speaking casually for about two minutes in a single session lasting no more than 30 minutes.

Participants should meet the following criteria:

• Adults ages 18-25 years.
• Fluent speaker of a North American dialect of English.
• Able to speak comfortably for about two minutes.

Participants will be excluded if they:

• Have smoked or vaped in the past five years.
• Were diagnosed with speech, respiratory or voice disorders, bipolar disorder or depression.
• Have a current upper airway respiratory infection.
• Have engaged in phonotraumatic behaviors (yelling, screaming, loud singing, etc.) in the past 24 hours.

Participants will be compensated with $8 at the end of the session. The principal investigator is Alexander Francis, professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.

For more information or to arrange a time to participate, contact Emily Clark at clark741@purdue.edu. IRB-2022-350. 

 

 

Home-based leg heat therapy in elderly individuals

Men and women ages 65 and older are needed for a research study on the effects of home-based leg heat therapy on walking tolerance and leg strength.

Leg heat therapy is the application of heat to the legs using water-circulating pants connected to a pump. Participants will be asked to apply the therapy (90 minutes daily, seven days per week) at home for 12 weeks. A series of exams will be performed before and at the end of the treatment. Participants will receive $300 for completing the study.

Participants must be:

• Age 65 or older.
• Sedentary (exercise less than three days per week, 20 minutes per day).
• Nonsmokers.

If interested in participating, call 765-496-2612 or e-mail brosegui@purdue.edu. The principal investigator is Bruno Roseguini, associate professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. IRB-2022-381.

  

Study on how exercise may influence thinking and brain function

The Physical Activity and NeuroCognitive Health (PANCH) Laboratory in the Department of Health and Kinesiology is looking for children ages 8-10 to participate in a research study on how exercise may influence thinking and brain function.

Participation in this research requires two visits on separate days to Lambert Fieldhouse. The first visit will last approximately three hours, involving computer games and a fitness test. The second visit will last about three hours and will involve health-related and demographic questionnaires, exercise, and recording of brain waves using techniques such as electroencephalogram (EEG).

Participation in this study will be compensated to a maximum total of $80. Individuals interested in this research or who have any questions should email panchlaboratory@purdue.edu. Shih-Chun Kao, assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, is the principal investigator. IRB-2020-123.

 

The Your View Study

For this study, families will receive a kit mailed to their home with head cameras, headbands and instructions. Parents and their children will wear the head cameras and record their daily activities for up to four hours across one week. Parents will also be asked to fill out questionnaires online. Families will be compensated with a $60 Amazon gift card for their time.

Researchers are looking for families with children ages 2-5 years who:

• Are on the autism spectrum, or
• Have Down syndrome, or
• Are typically developing.

For more information, email maclab@purdue.edu. The principal investigator is Carolyn McCormick, assistant professor of human development and family studies. IRB #: 2021-1114.

 

 

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.

 

MEAL-DM study

The purposes of this study are testing the Monitoring Eating And Lifestyle for Diabetes Management (MEAL-DM) app, which was created to record the foods someone eats or beverages someone drinks in a day, and then completing traditional online dietary surveys asking about meals and snacks that participants ate and drank over the same period of time that participants completed the MEAL-DM.

Participants must be 18-65 years old, use insulin and be fluent in English. Participants may become more aware of their diet and overall health, and develop healthy eating habits. The study will take around a week to complete, and participants will receive up to a $40 gift card for compensation.

The research study will be conducted at the participants’ preferred locations. To see if you are eligible for this study, take the screening survey or contact Yue Qin at qin53@purdue.edu. The principal investigator is Heather Eicher-Miller, associate professor of nutrition science. IRB-2021-1734.

  

Study on effects of consuming different proportions of red meat and plant-based, protein-rich foods

This research study is assessing the effects of consuming different proportions of red meat and plant-based, protein-rich foods (nuts, seeds, and soy products) incorporated into a U.S. healthy eating pattern on cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults at high risk of developing a heart-related disease.

The study seeks men and women who are willing to consume a U.S. healthy eating pattern with varying proportions of red meat and plant-based, protein-rich foods for 10 weeks. All food will be provided. Participants are required to attend four study visits at the research site over approximately a three-and-a-half-month period. Individuals will be compensated $300 for participating in the study.

Interested subjects should be age 25 to 69, overweight, nonsmokers and nonpregnant. Those interested in participating in the study should contact Harrison Cottingham at hcotting@purdue.edu and mention the “U.S. healthy eating pattern plant-based and animal protein."

The study adheres to all required COVID-19 standard operating procedures. For more information regarding the standard operating procedures, visit the Protect Purdue website.

The principal investigator is Wayne Campbell, professor in the Department of Nutrition Science. IRB#: IRB-2020-587.