Methods

We use a number of different methods to answer our research questions. Below you can read more about the tasks and equipment that we use.

If you decide to take part in a research study, the researcher will give you more detailed information about the specific project. Sign up to participate in any of our studies here.

Lab Studies

In our lab-based studies we may ask you to complete various tasks:

  • Simple computer tasks where you press buttons to make decisions

  • Watch short videos and answer questions about them

  • Questionnaires

  • Focus-groups where you will be asked to discuss a particular topic

  • Interviews about yourself and your experiences

Eye-tracking

We can measure where you are looking by using an eye tracker. The autism research team uses different types of eye tracker, depending on the research question. We can look at how much attention you pay to different parts of a picture or video, presented on a computer screen. We also have eye tracking glasses which you can wear, just like normal glasses. By measuring your eye movements whilst wearing the glasses, we can see what captures your attention as you walk around.

This picture shows someone being eye-tracked (left) and an experimenter (right).

Brain Scanning

Some research is looking at the brains of people with autism. This research uses functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to take pictures of the brain. These studies take place in the Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre which is part of the University of Nottingham.

These studies are for adults with autism spectrum disorders. The project involves some initial testing in the School of Psychology, and then a brain scan. For the brain scan, you will be asked to lie still inside a large magnet which uses radio waves and magnetic fields to take pictures of your brain. Volunteers who complete a brain scan may receive a printed picture of their brain to take home.

This picture shows a person lying down and ready to enter the MRI scanner for a brain scan.

Video Recording

We sometimes like to video record research sessions. This is usually to check that we have recorded our observations correctly. We sometimes also video record participants for other reasons.

We will always tell you if we are video recording during a session, and the purpose of these recordings. You can refuse to be recorded at any time, or ask for the recording to be deleted at any time.

Research Ethics

All of our studies pass an ethical review before we begin testing. This means that an independent review has been conducted to make sure that our procedures are safe and comply with the University of Nottingham's ethical code of conduct.