To be eligible for endorsement by the Psychology Department, every study must conform to the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association (2002) and the Mercer University Institutional Review Board (2006). Any research participant who believes he or she may have been treated unethically by any research investigator should inform his or her course instructor, the Chair of the Psychology Department, or the Director of the Institutional Review Board.
Some studies will call for information—attitudes, demographic characteristics, behavioral history—to be provided by participants. Much of this will be anonymously given, but in all cases information given will be used only for the purpose of research, and will be held in strict confidence. There may also be studies that involve some degree of stress. The researcher will inform the subjects of this at the beginning of the study. Any participant may feel free to leave a study during its progress and still receive at least partial credit for participation.
Note: If you are 17 years old or younger, you must get parental permission before serving as a participant in research. This form can be found here: Student Forms
For information on how to sign up for studies, please click here: Psychology Research Experience Program