Ongoing Studies
The Ch.I.L.D Research Group is always looking for new child scientists to participate in our research. Here are our studies currently looking for participants!
Parent-Child Free-Play Interactions and Word Learning
As infants' language skills develop, they start recognizing speech sounds and patterns, which allows them to add new words to their vocabulary. Previous research has shown that this learning process involves establishing connections between specific words and the objects they represent. However, there has been limited investigation into how different types of parent-child interactions, such as co-viewing, affect a child's ability to learn new words, especially when learning from a video. Additionally, we are interested in understanding how child-parent free-play interactions and interruptions to these interactions impact a child's learning outcomes. In this study, we use non-invasive eye-tracking technology to examine the various contexts in which parent-child interactions influence the learning process.
This study is looking for new participants!
We are recruiting 14- and 18-month-old participants for this in-person study, which will be held at the University of Calgary (with free parking and babysitting provided). Your child will receive a toy prize, a t-shirt, and a certificate for their contribution.
To sign up, please contact haneen.salama@ucalgary.ca or register for our database!
Can't find what you're looking for?
Sign up for our database to be contacted when we are recruiting for a study your child is eligible for!
Social Categorization: The Impact of Different Actions on Children's Minimal Group Allegiances
The purpose of this study is to examine the development of social categories. Children view social categories as comprised of people who share behaviours or actions. We are interested in investigating how children think about their own group when that group acts in unexpected ways.
This study is looking for 4 and 7-year-old children to participate in our study!
In this study, we will assign your child randomly to either a “red” or a “yellow” group and show them videos of their group acting either unconventionally, disgustingly, or conventionally. We will then see how these behaviours affect how much your child likes their assigned group.
Free parking will be provided, and your child will receive a t-shirt, prize, and certificate for their valuable contribution to our project.
Interested?
If your child is 4 or 7-years-old, and you are interested in participating, please contact child@ucalgary.ca or sign up for our database!