Participate in Research
Ever wonder how you and your little ones can help shape science? Researchers at UT Dallas are looking for families like you to participate in research studies to understand child development. Check out our ongoing research projects, and sign up for the ones in which you are interested!
Developmental Social Affective Neuroscience Lab
Psychology Research
Who is eligible? We are recruiting children and adolescents at ages 10 – 17 to take part in the study on the development of cognitive ability, mental health and personality in youth.
Compensation: $40
Location: 1600 Viceroy Dr., 7th floor (near Dallas Love Field airport)
In this study, you will:
- Visit the lab with a close friend.
- Complete a speech task on topics that do not have right or wrong answers.
- Complete questionnaires about personality, relationships and everyday
feelings during and six months after the lab visit.
Enroll online or email dsanlab2024@gmail.com for more information.
Developmental Neurolinguistics Lab
Research Study One
Who is eligible? Mothers of 2-year-olds.
What is the study? Our study investigates maternal supports/stressors and child language outcomes. We are recruiting working mothers (18 years or older) who have a child aged 24-36 months. In our study, you will complete surveys answering questions about demographic information, stress in your role as a parent and support in your role as a parent. You will be interviewed about your child’s language abilities.
How long is the study, and will I be compensated? The whole process will take about one hour, and you will receive a $10 gift card for participation. If you are interested in learning more about our study, please contact kmd130030@utdallas.edu.
Research Study Two
Who is eligible? Children ages 9–12 who are interested in participating in a language research study with us! They must be proficient in English, with no known developmental delays or disorders and in a household that qualifies for free or reduced lunch.
What is the study? We are exploring how children learn and process language. The testing is completely non-invasive, involving language and memory tasks, as well as an EEG during the second session.
How long is the study, and will I be compensated? Families will earn a total of $375 over four sessions. For more information or to sign up, email devneurolab@utdallas.edu or call 972-883-3164.
Healthy Development Project
Research Study One
Who is eligible? Mothers and their 10- to 13-year-old daughters.
What is the study? Our study investigates ways that mothers and daughters communicate.
How long is the study, and will I be compensated? Participation involves two 45-minute meetings with the researcher and seven at-home activities for you to do with your daughter across the span of one month. Total time commitment is 3-4 hours (in person or video calls). Upon completion, you will receive a $40 gift card. Contact Melissa Heinrich at healthydevelopment@utdallas.edu if interested in participating!
Research Study Two
Who is eligible? A parent and their 4-to-9 year old child.
What is the study? We are interested in learning more about how parents and children read books together.
How long is the study, and will I be compensated? Appointments scheduled at your convenience in our child-friendly lab at UT Dallas. Sessions take less than 60 minutes. Families will be given $25 for participating. If interested, contact us at 972-883-6073 or healthydevelopment@utdallas.edu.
Language Interaction and Language Acquisition in Children (LILAC) Lab
Speech Language Hearing Research
Research Study One
Who is eligible? Families with children on the autism spectrum between 18-48 months OR families with typically developing children between 18-36 months.
What is the study? This study investigates what kind of language input helps autistic children learn new words.
How long is the study, and will I be compensated? Participation involves two study visits at the UTD LILAC Lab. Each visit lasts between 2-3 hours. Caregivers will complete some questionnaires. Your child will complete play-based developmental assessments, watch short videos, learn new words, and play with a research staff.
Families will receive a developmental report on your child’s communication, language, and cognitive development and up to $160-$200 for participating. Enroll online or contact us at 972-883-2427 or lilac.lab@utdallas.edu for more study info (ask for the “AWOLI” study).
Research Study Two
Who is eligible? Families with children on the autism spectrum between 4-6.5 years old neurotypical and autistic children.
What is the study? The goal of this study is to understand what type of language practice strategies help autistic children learn new words.
How long is the study, and will I be compensated? Participation involves two study visits at the UTD LILAC Lab. Each visit should last between 1-2 hours. Caregivers will complete some questionnaires. Your child will watch several short videos where they will listen to some sentences and look at some pictures. We will also complete some developmental testing that assesses language and cognitive skills.
Families will receive $30-$50 as compensation. Your child will also receive a small toy. Enroll online or contact us at 972-883-2427 or lilac.lab@utdallas.edu for more study info (ask for the “COPYCAT” study).
Research Study Three
Who is eligible? We are recruiting families with Mandarin-English bilingual children between 12-30 months.
What is the study? This project investigates how Mandarin-English bilingual caregivers talk to their child and what type of language input helps Mandarin-speaking children learn vocabulary.
How long is the study, and will I be compensated? The study will involve one study visit that lasts around 1.5 hour. Families may also choose to complete two-days of home language samples.
Families will receive a report on your child’s vocabulary development and home language environment (for families who complete the home language samples). Your child will receive a small Mandarin book and toy. Enroll online or contact us at 972-883-2427 or lilac.lab@utdallas.edu for more study info (ask for the “AIMBIG” study).
研究项目3
招募的对象： 我们在招募 12-30 个月大，在日常生活中会听到中文普通话和英语的双语儿童。
研究的目的： 这项研究是为了帮助我们了解说普通话和英语双语的父母是如何与他们的孩子沟通的，以及什么样的语言能帮助孩子学习中文词汇。
研究的时长和参加研究的补偿
- 实验会在 UT Dallas 的 LILAC 儿童语言实验室（Callier Richardson） 进行，大约1.5个小时左右。家长需填写一些关于孩子语言发展的问卷，和孩子一起玩玩具读故事书，实验后想了解孩子的家庭语言环境的家长可以选择参与家庭语言样本部分。
- 参与的家庭可以免费获得孩子的中英文词汇报告，家庭语言环境报告，以及一本中文儿童故事书或玩具！如有兴趣，请点击链接报名，或联系我们（972-883-2427；lilac.lab@utdallas.edu）咨询详情。
Social Communication Lab
Speech Language Hearing Research
Who is eligible? English or Spanish speaking caregivers with children between 16-30 months old who have social communication challenges.
What is the study? Our study investigates if Pathways parent coaching program can help improve your child’s attention, connection with others, language, and daily skills.
How long is the study, and will I be compensated? The study consists of 12 Pathways sessions of 90 minutes over 15 weeks including: 1 check-up before the session (2-2.5 hrs), 1 check-up after the sessions (2 hrs), 1 check-up 3 months after the sessions (2 hrs). Contact 972-883-3173 or socialcommlab@utdallas.edu for more information.