Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a study last? How many times do we need to come in?
A typical study lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour and requires only one visit to our lab. Some studies require a short follow-up visit.

What will my child do during the study?
Your child will hear a story or play a short game with an experimenter. First we warm up and get to know each other. During the study, we will then ask your child some questions about the experience. For more information, visit our individual websites!

When are appointments scheduled?
We are happy to work around your schedule! Studies are typically scheduled Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Can get there by public transportation?
Yes! The nearest T stop is Boston University East Station on the Green Line (B - Boston College). Click HERE for more MBTA information.

Can I drive there? Is parking available?
Yes! Click HERE for an interactive map. Free parking is available in Lot K of the Warren Towers Garage (access from Hinsdale Street). A research assistant will meet you there with a parking pass.

Will I be with my child during the study?
Of course! Parents are more than welcome to stay with their children for the duration of the study. However, we ask that you follow the instructions of the experimenter and refrain from interacting with your child so that you do not influence their responses.

I have more than one child. Can I bring all of my children with me if only one is participating?
Absolutely! A trained research assistant will be available to keep the rest of your children company during the study.

Does my child receive anything for participating?
Definitely! Your child will receive a small gift, like a t-shirt or a book.

Will I receive the results of my child's performance?
In general, we are interested in trends in behaviors across a group of children, so we don't analyze the responses of individual children but we can tell you what children your child's age tend to do. If you are interested in the results of the project, we'd be happy to send you a newsletter with an update on the study, as well as the progress of other studies going on in our labs.

I received a mailing or phone call from your lab. How did you get our information?
We recruit subjects from a number of sources, including open birth records and databases, recruiting events, and schools and daycares. But our best resource is you! If you know other parents that might be interested in participating in our research, please tell them about us!

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