FAQs

EEG stands for “electroencephalography”, and it is one of the most popular non-invasive methods of measuring brain activity. The measurement is performed by placing EEG sensors – small metal discs called EEG electrodes – on your scalp. The cells in the brain produce tiny electrical signals that form non-linear patterns called brainwaves. The EEG electrodes pick up and record the electrical activity in the cerebral cortex, the brain's outer layer. EEG sensors can record up to several thousands of snapshots of the electrical activity generated in the brain within a single second. The collected EEG signals (which resemble wavy lines) are amplified, digitized, and then sent to a computer for storage and processing.

Our studies use different methodologies, and your experience will differ depending on the study you're participating in. You will be sent full details of what's needed before you choose to take part, so if you're interested in participating, please get in touch and we'll send you detailed information.

Behavioural studies are often carried out online from home, though they can also take place in our lab in Bloomsbury. 

EEG studies take place in our lab and involve wearing a stretchy cap on your head. A set of sensors will be attached to the cap along with a small amount of gel. These sensors will be used to record your brain activity during the task. 

EEG is a non-invasive method of measuring brain activity with minimal risk. Occasionally, in some participants, the gel used to apply the EEG sensors can cause a rash. If this occurs, the gel will be removed immediately. All sounds will be presented at a comfortable volume and you will receive short breaks throughout the experiment to prevent fatigue. You have the right to withdraw participation at any point.

When you participate in our studies, the data you provide helps to advance the scientific understanding of auditory and language processing. To make sure that your data is protected, we ensure that all data is pseudoanonymised and kept confidental. To pseudoanonymise your data, your name will be linked to a unique ID number that is only known to you and the research team. This makes sure that you can withdraw from the study once it is finished. All data is stored on password-protected hard drives and secure servers only accessible to the research team. Click here to find more about the Data Protection Policy at Birkbeck College. 

Our lab is located in the main Birkbeck building on Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX. Some of our studies take place in different locations, but these will usually be very close to the lab. If you're participating in a study, you will be sent full details of where you'll need to be, and one of our researchers will always meet you at the entrance to show you into the lab.