Welcome to the Cognitive Development Lab

We are looking forward to working with you and we hope that this experience is informative and meaningful for you! Working in the lab is an opportunity for you to learn how research is conducted, to develop your skills as a researcher, and to take on new challenges and responsibilities. You will be relied upon to perform many different kinds of tasks, and the longer you are here, the more responsibility you are likely to be given.

The first step in your research experience is to complete several training and certification measures. All measures are required by the OSU Internal Review Board (IRB), must be documented with this lab, and will be verified by the IRB. You will need to provide documentation and/or email notification to the lab manager after completing each item.

Please complete or provide the following:

  All RA Positions:

Contact Info / ID:

Email the following to the lab management staff:

• Phone number (for lab GroupMe / management contact)

• Gmail Address (to share the lab Google Drive + Calendar)

• Photo of BuckID (for building + lab door access)

• Emergency Contact (provide phone number + name + relationship)

Background Checks:

• Ohio BCI&I and FBI Criminal Background Checks - Needs completed yearly (scheduling link below) -

  •   Schedule a fingerprinting Appointment

  •   Sign the WebCheck Consent Form - Needs to be signed after scheduling / before appointment. 

• OPR Background Check - NOT NEEDED FOR REP RAs (Unless Hybrid)

  • Must be done after FBI/BCI background check.

  • Must login to OCCRRA after submitting the BC (a day or so later) for the PDF of the approval. 

Trainings: (Provide a copy to lab managers)

• Institutional Data Policy (IDP) 2026 - (Buckeye Learn training)

  • Complete and email picture of completion

  • Make sure to search for IDP 2026 in BuckeyeLearn

• CITI Online Ethics Training (RCR & HSP) 

  • Email picture of completion to Lab Manager/Research Coordinator 

  • Make sure to do the Social + Behavioral trainings. 

Forms: (Provide a copy to lab managers)

• Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosure Statement - Needs completed yearly

  • Email picture of completion to Lab Manager/Research Coordinator

• Medical Statement

  • Print the form, take to your physician, Student Health, CVS, Walgreens, etc., and email completed form to Lab Manager/Research Coordinator

• ASC Volunteer Form OR PSYCH 4998 Course Form

  • Must submit one or the other (Note, paid positions cannot submit for credit)

  • Psych 4998: 1 credit = 3 hrs/week; 2 credits = 6 hrs/week; 3 credits = 9 hrs/week

    • Tuition cost associated with class enrollment

Qualtrics Sign-Up:

• Instructions - follow the instructions at this link to sign-up for the CogDevLab Qualtrics: Qualtrics instructions

Next Steps:

• Finish Onboarding for Specific Position - follow the instructions (below) for your specific position’s on-boarding requirements! 

In-lab RA Positions:

Time Requirements:

• 6 hr/week minimum requirement for first two semesters

School RA Positions:

Time Requirements:

• 2 mornings/week minimum requirement for first two semesters

Personal Documents:

Email the following to the lab management staff:

• copy of High school diploma (required by schools)

• copy of driver’s license / photo ID (required by schools)

• Home address (for travel reimbursement)

Trainings: (Provide a copy to lab managers)

• PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN TRAINING (FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS) 

  • Can sign up for Zoom session 

  • Training is ~3 hrs long and CANNOT attend/get into Zoom session if late

  • Will reimburse the cost of the training, need to provide receipt for reimbursement 

  • EXAMPLE OF CERTIFICATE - this is what needs sent to lab managers!

• Training with Postdoc / Grad student on experiment administration

  • You and your assigned PD/GS need to set up a time to be trained on the experiment(s) you will administer for the semester 

  • Let a lab manager know when you arrange this meeting, and once it is completed

Community Outreach RA Positions:

Personal Documents:

Email the following to the lab management staff:

• Home address (for travel reimbursement)

Trainings: (Provide a copy to lab managers)

• Orientation / Experiment + Recruitment training

  • This will take place at a time decided by managers; typically before the start of the semester

REP RA Positions:

Time Requirements:

• 6 hr/week minimum requirement for first two semesters

Trainings: (Provide a copy to lab managers)

• Training with Postdoc / Grad student on experiment administration

  • You and your assigned PD/GS need to set up a time to be trained on the experiment(s) you will administer for the semester 

  • Let a lab manager know when you arrange this meeting, and once it is completed

Best wishes for a productive semester!

If you have any questions, contact:

Michaela Miller (email: miller.9171@osu.edu)

office: (614) 688 - 3970; cell: (419) 528 - 9710

OR FOR THE SEMANTIC STUDY

Madison Meares (email: meares.7@osu.edu)