Visit Information

Before signing up for one of our studies, we want to help you know more about what you can expect while participating and how we at the Family & Development Lab protect your personal information.  If you decide you would like to participate, you can register here.

We recently concluded data collection on our online study of two-parent families with a 5- to 9-year-old child, but will be recruiting families for a new research study soon. Details below are based on our previous project to give you an idea about our lab, but we will update this section with more specific information soon.

How long does a typical online survey take?

In our current study, parents take varying amounts of time to complete their surveys, but 40-90 minutes is a general range.  Video chat sessions with kiddos take approximately 20-25 minutes.

Who is expected to complete online surveys?

We would love for both parents to complete surveys for us if possible.  However, if that’s not possible, only one parent of a two-parent family needs to complete their survey.  Once we have consent from one parent, then we will set up a Zoom session with you so your kiddo may also participate.

I work full-time, so I can’t participate during the day.

No problem!  Our online surveys can be completed any time and even in multiple sittings.  All you’ll need is an internet-capable device and you’d be able to participate.

What if I have multiple children between 5- and 9-years-old?

Unfortunately, due to limitations of our data analyses, we can only have one child per family participate.  After we receive your registration form, we’ll reach out to your family to discuss which child you’d like to participate before sending each parent their survey links.

What will my family do?

Once we receive your registration form, we’ll email you to learn a little more about your family and determine whether you’re eligible to participate.  We’ll also send along the child survey for you to review and answer any questions you have about participating.  Then we’ll send individual survey links to both you and your partner, which will ask you questions regarding family facts, your marital relationship, and your child’s development and behavior.  Once we have parental consent, we will set up a Zoom session with you so your kiddo can also participate.  We will be asking your participating kiddo to answer questions about your family and complete some fun picture puzzles.

Can I be present during my child’s Zoom session?

Absolutely!  In addition, we will email you the survey we will be asking your child ahead of time so you can see the questions that we will be asking.

What if there’s a part I don’t want to do?

We want all our participating families to have a pleasant and comfortable experience, so if there are any questions with which you feel uncomfortable, you may simply skip that question.  You, your partner, and/or your child are free not to participate or to withdraw at any time, for whatever reason.

What if I still have more questions?

That’s great!  Feel free to email us and we’ll do our best to answer any questions you may have about participating in our study.  You’re also free to ask us whatever questions you have at any point before, during, or after participating in our study.

Do I get anything for participating?

Each parent will receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card upon completion of their online survey (for a total of up to $50 per family).

Am I committing to anything by registering?

Absolutely not!  Registering your family is simply a way of indicating you would like more information.  If you register and are eligible for our current study, we will contact you and explain all the details.  You can decide at that point whether you would like to participate or not.  If you indicate on your registration form that you would like to be contacted about other studies in the Family & Development Lab for which you are eligible, we will contact you in the future when those opportunities arise.  As always, you’re free to decide whether or not you would like to participate.

Who will have access to my information?

Your privacy is our top priority.  All information about your family will be kept secure and will only be accessible by Dr. Warmuth and a select group of highly trained assistants.  We will never share your information with anyone not affiliated with the Family & Development Lab.  And, none of your or your child’s personal information will ever be used in any presentation or report of our findings.

How do we sign up?

To sign up to participate in one of our studies, please fill out the participant registration form.