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General Psych RPU Requirement

This is a guide for Rutgers-New Brunswick students. If you are a Rutgers-Newark student, please go to the RU Newark FAQ

Students are given two options for completing their General Psych RPU requirement

A. Option 1: Experimental Participation (Sign-up for the human subject pool.)

Setting up your account

  • You will participate in studies for a total of eight Research Participation Units (RPUs). Each study will provide a specific number of RPUs which will be indicated in the experiment’s description.

1. In-person studies will earn 2 points per half hour (4 points for a full hour)

2. Online studies will earn 1 point per half hour (2 points for a full hour)

  • You will need to register yourself by going to the main Human Subject Pool System page and clicking on "Request an Account". Make sure that you carefully enter your email address and select the correct course, instructor, and days/period for which you are registered. If you don't specify this information correctly, there may be problems with getting your RPUs assigned to you.

  • Before you log in for the first time, make sure you have 25-30 minutes free because you'll be completing a prescreen survey. The survey will determine your eligibility for some studies. You may get an invitation via e-mail if you are eligible. You are under no obligation to complete any study that you are invited to participate in. If you have questions about the prescreen survey, contact the administrator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
  • You will receive a 6-digit ID number when you first sign in. This number will ensure your anonymity when you participate in research. Make sure you have this number available when you attend studies or complete online surveys as it is how your credit will be assigned. If you provide an incorrect number to your researcher, you may not receive credit for your participation. When you receive an email reminder prior to an appointment, the 6-digit ID number will appear in the message.

Participating in studies

  • It will be your responsibility to maintain a list of all studies in which you have participated. RPUs will be given via an online database by the researchers and will be forwarded to your instructor prior to the final exam. Grade adjustment, penalties for non-participation, missed appointments, etc., will be evaluated by instructors when final grades are computed.
  • Print out or write down the information provided on the registration confirmation page. The sign-up information will be removed from the web page at some point and the Psychology Department does not have the pertinent information.
  • It is your obligation to show up for the study on time. If you find that you cannot attend the experiment at the specified time, follow the instructions under My Schedule and Credits (on your Welcome page). Usually, you must contact the researcher prior to the research session. To contact the experimenter, use the e-mail provided in the study’s description.
  • Participation in an study should be an educational experience. After you participate in a study, the researcher should provide you with information about the study and give you an opportunity to ask questions.
  • You should be aware that you retain all of your rights and you may withdraw from a study at any time without penalty.

FAQ

When should I expect my RPU points?

Please give researchers at least three business days for granting you credit. E-mail the researcher with any questions about credit. If you have a dispute with a researcher, then and only then e-mail the administrator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with your 5 or 6-digit number, the name of the study, the researcher's e-mail, and the nature of the dispute. To expedite the process, forward or paste the correspondence with the researcher in your email to the administrator so they can better assist you.

What do I do if I mistakenly selected the wrong course when I registered, or have changed sections since I registered? How can I be sure I get my RPU points?

To switch your course registration information, send your new information (name of instructor, course, and day/time you meet) to the administrator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

I have a complaint about a study.

Any complaints about a study or researcher (e.g., failure of the experimenter to show up for a study) should be sent to the researcher’s e-mail provided at the experiment’s description. If you do not get a response, then and only then contact the administrator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

What should I do if I don’t want to participate in research?

All students not wishing to participate in research have the option of writing a paper instead, but we strongly encourage experiment participation instead.

B. Option 2: Psychology in the News

Assignment Overview

Your task is to explore how psychological research is presented in the media. You’ll read and compare two very different kinds of articles. One is a news article reporting on a recent piece of psychological research. The second is the original journal article written by the researchers and that the news article was based on.

Instructions: RPU_Option_2_Assignment_Instructions_.docx

Psychology in the News Topics and Articles RPU_Option_2_Assignment_Topic_and_Articles_List.docx