WELCOME TO THE CLARK UNIVERSITY CHILD STUDY CENTER
Overview of Our Research
SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I SIGN UP MY CHILD FOR THIS STUDY?
Follow this link and fill out the information needed and we will contact you to organize a time to come into the lab:
WHEN DO I BRING MY CHILD?
We will organize meeting times around your schedule. We have evening and weekend times available in addition to regular business hours.
HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO BRING MY CHILD TO THE LAB?
You never have to bring your child in. We will contact you no more than 4 times a year with the option to participate in a study. You always have the option to say no with no consequences. Some studies are a single visit. Other studies may involve up to three visits to the lab.
WILL I LEARN ABOUT MY CHILD’S RESULTS?
We are learning about how children learn and develop and are not a diagnostic laboratory. Thus, there are no results to report on an individual child. We do send out an annual newsletter that will inform you of what we have learned from the work we have conducted, including the results of the study your child participated in with no individual information included.
DO I GET FINANCIAL REPARATIONS FOR PARTICIPATING?
Unfortunately, we cannot fully compensate you for your time. Most studies to offer a token of gratitude in the form of a gift card and a small gift to your child. The exact amount will be shared when you are contacted for potential participation.
WHERE DO I PARK?
Free parking is available on campus on the top floor of the parking garage, #36 on the map.
WHO WILL INTERACT WITH MY CHILD AND IN WHAT CAPACITY?
Professors, graduate students, and undergraduate research assistants will interact with your child. All are trained to ensure you and your child have a pleasant experience while visiting the Child Study Area. The exact details of the study you are asked to participate in will be provided when we contact you, but common activities are read to your child, playing games, and asking your child questions about their opinions and what they remember from stories.
HOW OLD DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE TO BE A PARTICIPANT?
We will only contact you to participate in studies that include your child’s age range. We are currently recruiting children aged 3-12 years.
WHY COME?
Families typically enjoy the experience of coming to the lab. We do our best to make it a fun and pleasant activity. In addition, you are contributing to research that is intended to inform child development in ways that influence education and child care.
CAN I WATCH WHILE THE RESEARCHERS INTERACT WITH MY CHILD?
Yes. All studies allow you to be either in the same room with your child or in an adjacent room with a window to allow you to observe the full session. You will be informed of the details of the specific study when you are contacted to participate.
WHERE DO I WAIT?
If you choose not to stay with your child, we have a waiting area with free coffee and wifi access. The waiting area also has a play area for your child as they wait their turn or for any siblings that may come along with you.
HOW LONG WILL EACH SESSION TAKE?
The details of each study will be shared when you are contacted. Studies typically last between 30 minutes and 90 minutes.
IS THERE ANY CHANCE OF MY CHILD BEING HURT?
Your child will be engaged in tasks (such as reading and games) that are typical to daily experiences and pose no additional risk. Your child will not be asked to perform any physically demanding activities.
CAN I STOP TAKING MY CHILD TO THE LAB?
Both you and your child can stop participation in the lab at any time, including during a study.
IS TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED?
Unfortunately we are unable to provide transportation for you and your child.
CAN I HAVE MULTIPLE CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY?
Yes, you may have more than one child participate in the lab at either the same or different times.
IS THERE CHILDCARE FOR ANOTHER CHILD OF MINE?
Yes, we will have research assistants available to work with other children and provide care for your child while you are making observations or speaking to another lab member.
Clark University Campus Map
36 Parking Garage
Follow the red arrow to the parking garage entrance on Downing St.
Park on the top deck on the parking garage
30 Jonas Clark Hall
The Study Area is located in this building in Room 205
The blue arrow leads to the back entrance of Jonas Clark Hall
The red arrow leads to the front entrance of Jonas Clark Hall where there is an accessible ramp
24 Higgins University Center
This building houses the university's Bistro and Cafeteria where food can be purchased