Paid Participants Studies List

The Paid Participant Studies List is hosted on the Psychology Graduate Student Council website. While most studies here are conducted in the Psychology Department, other departments recruiting participants are welcome to advertise. Anyone is welcome to sign up for the mailing list.

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Current Studies

We welcome both the general public and students, and please check the eligibility requirements for each study.

Last updated: 2023 Feb 7

Emerging Adults’ Experience of Caring for Parents with Advanced Disease (Online Study)

Researcher: Eryn Tong, Dr. Abby Goldstein (PI)

Description: We are currently conducting a study to better understand the experience of emerging adults caring for parents living with an incurable, terminal illness. This study is being conducted at the University of Toronto. Interested individuals will be invited to participate in a one-to-one interview lasting approximately 60 minutes. We are hoping to recruit a range of individuals with diverse experiences.

Eligibility:

  • Between 18 and 29 years of age
  • Currently providing unpaid support to a parent living with an incurable, terminal medical condition
  • Living in Canada
  • Fluent in English

Location: Online (Microsoft Teams)

Contact Information: Please include “Caregiving Study” in the subject line; Eryn Tong eryn.tong@mail.utoronto.ca

Reimbursement/Time: The interview will last approximately 1 hour. Participants will receive a $20 gift card for their time.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted 2023 Feb 7

Study title: Synapse-BD: Assessing neurite density and neuroinflammation in bipolar disorder (in-person study)

Researcher: Lakshmi Yatham (Principal Investigator); Shannon Reid (Research Assistant)

Description: The purpose of this study is to determine if there are differences between individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy individuals in the position and density of nerve cells in the brain, and if they are related to inflammation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) will be used to obtain this information. Participants will come to the clinic for a screening visit to answer questionnaires, provide saliva and blood samples, and talk to a study psychiatrists. Participants who are found to be eligible after the screening visit will be scheduled to come in for a subsequent 90 minute PET/MRI scan as well as a cognitive test and a second blood sample.

Eligibility: Participants are either people who have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type I for 5 years or more, or people who are healthy controls with no personal or family history of any mood and/or psychotic disorders. You may be able to participate if:

  • You are between the ages of 19 and 50
  • You have a good working English language ability
  • You have no history of any major medical illnesses or head injury
  • Your body mass index is between 18.0 and 29.9
  • Those who can get pregnant must be using contraception

Location: Mood Disorders Centre (2nd floor of Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health), 2215 Wesbrook Mall

Contact Information: Please email or call the study coordinator at bipolar.research@ubc.ca or (604) 822-8045

Reimbursement/Time: $175 total for 6 hours of your time

  • Screening visit: $50/1.5 hours
  • Scan visit: $125/4.5 hours

Study end date: Ongoing. Posted 2023 Feb 7

Visuomotor Learning (in-person)

Researcher: Alexander Cook (Graduate student), Ahad Zafar (RA), Melissa Aziz (RA), April Hwang (RA) and Hee Yeon Im (PI)
Description: This study seeks to evaluate participants’ learning of new motor movements through a behavioural task. You will first complete a few short visual assessments, followed by a computer task.
Eligibility:
  • 6-10 or 19-45 years of age
  • Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision
Location: BC Children’s Hospital
                 Room E300E, 4480 Oak Street
                 V6H 3V4
Contact Information: If you’re interested and meet the eligibility criteria, please email Ahad at ubcvcnlab@bcchr.ca
Reimbursement/Time: The study will be conducted in one session, lasting between 40 mins to an hour. You will receive $30 for your participation.
Study end date: September 2023

Examining the Effect of Salbutamol Use in ODesign considerations for sharing mental health stories among university students

Researchers: Sang-Wha Sien (grad student), Joanna McGrenere (primary investigator)

Description: We are conducting a study to learn more about how to design effective ways to support UBC students to author and share mental health and well-being stories with each other. Your participation will help us understand what design concepts and features are appropriate and sensitive to the needs of our culturally diverse student body. The study involves responding to an online survey where you will have the chance to upload stories of your past mental health and well-being experiences. The stories can be from your previously written posts on social media or online communities (e.g., Reddit). You may also write new stories specifically for this study. We will give you guidance on how to edit your stories to de-identify any personal information, as well as guidance on what types of stories we are looking for. It can involve a stressor you’ve undergone, how you coped with it or resolved it, or what advice you would give to the readers of your story. The goal is for the story to provide useful social support to your peers who may be experiencing similar challenges.

If you are interested in participating, please take this survey at https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d6xELiJZYdOFlBQ. You will have the opportunity to upload the stories for our assessment in this survey.

Eligibility: This study is available to anyone who meets the following criteria:

  • Is a current student at UBC
  • Is 18 years of age or older
  • Is fluent in English
  • Is interested in helping their peers by sharing stories of their mental health experiences
  • Is somewhat experienced in writing or sharing their mental health experiences

Location: Online

Contact Information: swsien@cs.ubc.ca

Reimbursement/Time: Taking the survey will last approximately 30 minutes on Qualtrics (1 hour max), and you will be compensated at a prorated amount for the stories we accept, $5 for each accepted story, or 3 stories for $20. A story must have at least 200 words to be counted as a valid story. In addition, we will have a draw for all respondents for a chance to win 1 of 5 $25 CAD.

Study End Date: February 15, 2023

Examining the Effect of Salbutamol Use in Ozone Air Pollution by People with Asthma and/or EIB

Researchers: Patric Gonçalves (Research coordinator), Ben Stothers (graduate student), Michael Koehle (principal investigator),

Description: We are recruiting individuals with asthma and/or EIB. This study will involve exercising on a stationary bike while breathing in either room air or simulated real-world ozone pollution after taking either salbutamol (inhaler medication) or placebo medication.

Eligibility:

  • Inclusion Criteria:
    • Have asthma and/or EIB (will be tested for on the first day)
    • 18-50 years old
    • Able to exercise on a stationary bike
  • Exclusion Criteria:
    • Smoker
    • Pregnant or potentially pregnant

Location: Room 118 in Medical Sciences Block C. 2176 Health Sciences Mall. Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

Contact Information: Patric Gonçalves (patricog@student.ubc.ca)

Reimbursement/ Time:

  • Reimbursement
    • 150$ total: The study will involve 5 visits (30$ each).
    • Free VO2max test (aerobic fitness measure).
    • Free Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction test.
    • Free Lung Function testing.
  • Time (roughly 11.5 hours total)
    • 5 visits. The first visit will be roughly 1.5 hours and the next 4 visits will be roughly 2.5 hours

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted Jan 17, 2023

University Leave Policies in the Context of Mental Health Challenges (Online Study)

Researcher: Dr. Abby Goldstein (PI)

Description: We will send a Microsoft Teams link for the interview portion. We anticipate that the interview will take approximately 90 minutes.

Eligibility:

We are looking for Research Participants who are:

  • Young adults 18-29 years of age who had to take an involuntary leave* from University due to mental health concerns
  • Fluent in English

*Note: An involuntary leave is defined as at least one session away from university that you did not request but were required to take (For example, because of a mandatory leave policy, academic suspension or other reason you had to take a break from university). Young adults, please contact us to determine if you are eligible to participate in this study.

Location: Online (Microsoft Teams)

Contact Information: In the email’s subject line, please include: “Leave Policies” and send your response to <mhleavepolicies@utoronto.ca>.

Reimbursement/Time: To thank you for your time, you will be given $40 in amazon gift cards at the end of the interview session (approximate 90 minutes) in which you participate.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted Jan 17, 2023

English Sentence Comprehension in Visual World (in person)

Researcher: Dr. Christopher Hammerly (PI)

Description: This study is about how people understand complex sentences in English. You will look at a series of images on a screen while you listen to a sentence over headphones or speakers. The task is to choose which of the images matches the sentence that you heard. While you listen and look, we will track your eye movements around the screen using a special camera.

Eligibility:

  • 18-60 years of age
  • Learned English prior to the age of 5
  • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Location: This study will take place in Stores Road Annex on the UBC Vancouver campus

Contact Information: Please contact elf.lab@ubc.ca and include “visual world” in the subject line.

Reimbursement/Time: The study will take approximately 1 hour. You will be compensated $15 for your participation.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted Jan 13, 2023

Effect of Audiovisual Multisensory Integration on Manual Interception (in-person)

Researcher: Dr Miriam Spering (Principal investigator), Abibat Akande, Philipp Kreyenmeier (Graduate students)

Description: We are looking for healthy volunteers to take part in a study on audiovisual multisensory integration on manual interception. If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to look at a moving object on a screen and follow its motion with your eyes. You will also be asked to intercept it by hitting it on the screen with your finger. You can collect points during the experiment based on your performance.

Eligibility:  To participate, you must fulfill the following requirements:

  • be between 19-49 years old.
  • have normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity.
  • do not have hard contact lenses.
  • have no history of neurological disease (such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, trauma to the head, including a concussion within 12 months of the study).
  • have no history of eye disease (such as strabismus or amblyopia, known a “lazy eye”)
  • do not have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator.
  • have no history of psychiatric disease (such as schizophrenia or depression).

Location: The study location is 2366 Main Mall, Computer Science building, ICICS Room X715, UBC campus.

Contact Information: Please email Abibat: akande02@student.ubc.ca

Reimbursement/Time: The experiment consists of a single session lasting up to 90 minutes. You will be compensated $10/hour in cash upon completion of this study. In addition to this, you will be paid out your winnings based on the number of points you collected during the experiment.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted Jan 10, 2023

The relationship between psychophysiological measures of emotion and applied effort

Researcher: Jordan Stevenson (Graduate Researcher) & Dr. Cameron Mitchell (Principle Investigator)

Description:
Our Research Group is seeking healthy adults over the age of 18 for a series of studies looking at the relationship between emotionally driven content and its effect on applied effort during exercise. Participation in this study will include:

  • Engage in sub-maximal aerobic exercise while watching clips from movies and tv series

Completion of a number of surveys/questionnaires

Eligibility:

  • Inclusion Criteria:
    • 18+ years
  • Exclusion Criteria:
    • Medical condition3 impacting ability to undertake physical activity
    • Unable to fluently read and write in English

Location: Marine Building, downtown Vancouver. 355 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8

Contact Information: Jordan Stevenson – jordan.stevenson@ubc.ca

Reimbursement/Time:

  • $45 for completion of the study (2 visits, totaling just under 3 hours)
  • 2 Visits: (You may come in for all 3 visits or
    • V1: ~ 120 minutes
    • V2: ~ 60 minutes

Study End Date: February 15, 2022

Livestreaming Interactions – Exploring Mouse-Based Interactions (Online)

Researcher: Michael Yin (grad student), Robert Xiao (PI)

Description: In this current portion of the study, we are looking for streamers (content creators that broadcast their activities to an online audience in real time) to discuss aspects of interaction methods with viewers, possible tools and extensions they use to extend viewer interaction, and to explore the space of possible applications of a new tool that we have developed.

Eligibility:

  • 18 years or older
  • Fluent in English
  • Has experience with streaming to a non-zero number of viewers on a regular basis (e.g. on Twitch, Youtube Live, [online classes])

Location: Online over Zoom

Contact Information: Email me (Michael) at jiyin@cs.ubc.cawith “Livestreaming Study” somewhere in the subject line! Please also provide me with some information about what you stream and where you stream in the email.

Reimbursement/Time: $16 / hour, for one hour.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted Dec 1, 2022. Note: I plan to start running studies in late Dec – early Jan (because of end of term and winter vacation), but please email me early if interested!

Effects of transcranial electrical stimulation on perception and cognition

Researcher: Dr. Lawrence Ward (PI)
Description: This experiment will explore how people process visual stimuli. It will involve viewing and responding to visual stimuli presented on a computer screen. You will receive weak electrical stimulation on the scalp.
Eligibility: Must be 18-35 years old
Location: The experiment will be conducted in the Laboratory of Psychophysics and Cognitive Neuroscience (Kenny Building, Room 3014)
Contact Information: Email Mike Doswell at wardlab (at) psych.ubc.ca to organize a time to participate.
Reimbursement/Time: Participants will receive $10.00 for each hour of participation. The study will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete on each of two separate occasions.
Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted Dec 1, 2022

Understanding the Social Networks of Adults 50+ With Mental Health Concerns in BC

Researcher: Dr. Carolyn Szostak, Angeliki-Iliana Louloudi, Kendra Corman, Tanyapreet Kaur, Carley Paterson.

Description: You will complete an online survey. The survey includes general demographic questions, mental health and well-being questions, and questions relating to relationships with key people in your social network. The survey can be done on a computer or a mobile device (smartphone or tablet).

Eligibility: Adults over the age of 50 years old, have a mental health concern like anxiety or depression (does not need to be diagnosed by a doctor), Live in an Urban community in British Columbia (population of 20,000 people or over).

Location: online survey through Qualtrics, https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6YbBnhhFskVOJTw.

Contact Information:  Carolyn.szostak@ubc.ca, angelalo@student.ubc.ca

Reimbursement/ Time: The survey should take about 1 hour to complete. It may take 30-90 minutes depending on how many people are in your circle. In the end, participants will get a chance to enter a draw for a chance to win one of five $100 prizes.

Study End Date: The survey closes on February 20, 2023.

Individual versus shared practice for the learning of a polyrhythm task

Researchers: Elise Saplywy (RA), Aneesha Mehta (RA), Ryan Jin (RA), Minghao Ma (RA), Charlie Sushams (RA), Dr April Karlinsky (Asst. Professor), Dr Matthew Scott (Postdoc) and Dr. Nicola Hodges (Professor, PI; School of Kinesiology, UBC)

Description: Participants will practice a rhythmic finger-tapping task alone or with a partner, trying to learn the timing of the rhythm as accurately as possible. This study will require attendance across two consecutive days (estimated 1.5-2 total hours).

Eligibility: In order to participate in this study you must meet all of the following requirements: 1) 18-39 years old, 2) right-hand dominant, 3) no current injury to the wrists and hands, 4) normal or corrected vision and hearing, 5) no known neurological disorders, 6) not a musician (i.e., no significant training in playing a musical instrument with max. of 4 years of piano training as a child (please inform the researcher about all music training), 7) good understanding of English, 8) no previous participation in a similar study conducted by the School of Kinesiology’s Motor Skills Lab (if in doubt, please check with the researcher), 9) Fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Location: Room 300 and room 26 in War Memorial Gym. However, please always meet in War Memorial Gym, Room 300.

Contact Information: Please contact the UBC Motor Skills Laboratory at kin.msl@ubc.ca. Please include “Rhythms” or “polyrhythm” in the subject line of your email.

Reimbursement/Time: The study will take place across 2 days in a row. Day 1 will take 1-1.5 hours and Day 2 will take 30min (total time: 1.5-2 hours). Participants will be paid $15.65/hour.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted Nov 16, 2022

Sequency Learning Dyad Keypress (In-person)

Researcher: Aneesha Mehta (RA), Georgia Grieve, Dr. Matthew Scott and Dr. Nicola Hodges (PI; School of Kinesiology, UBC)

Description: One-off research participant for research project in the School of Kinesiology (right-handed females only). You will be asked to come to the War Memorial Gym to take part in a study looking at the cognitive and behavioural processes involved in motor learning. We will study how people practice and learn various patterns of keystrokes across two days of practice. This study requires attendance of 2 sessions (1 session/day for 2 consecutive days). Day 1 will last approximately 1h 15 minutes. Day 2 will last approximately 30 minutes. Participants may, or may not, learn the task with another participant (depending on group allocation).

Eligibility: In order to participate in this study, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Female adult (age 18-35)
  • Right-hand dominant
  • Normal vision or wear corrective lenses
  • No injury to the right hand
  • Must be English speaking
  • Must be vaccinated against COVID-19
  • No known neurological disorders
  • No previous participation in a similar study (involving keystroke patterns) conducted by the Motor Skills Laboratory (if in doubt, please check with Aneesha, email: Kin.msl@ubc.ca)

Location: Room 24A (basement level) in the War Memorial Gym (6081 University Blvd; http://www.maps.ubc.ca/PROD/index_detail.php?locat1=428).

Contact Information: If you meet the qualifications below, please email Aneesha to indicate interest (resume NOT required). In your email provide a UBC email (if applicable), a phone number and your availability over the coming weeks. Please include “ATTN: Keypress” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Reimbursement/Time: The study is estimated to take up to 2 hours across the two days. Participants will be reimbursed $15.65 per hour.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted Nov 16, 2022

Cantonese Perception, Recognition, and Processing

Researcher: Rachel Soo (Co-Investigator) and Molly Babel (PI)

Description: Cantonese talkers will complete language questionnaires, and listening tasks where they judge Cantonese sounds.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the study, you must:

  • be born and raised in Hong Kong,
  • be able to speak and understand Cantonese (knowing how to read Chinese characters is *NOT* necessary)
  • have no known hearing or linguistic deficits

Location: Online. If you are interested in participating, please sign up at https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_espJ5DsNkcAZ1si to get access to the experiment link.

Contact Information: Rachel Soo, Rachel.soo@ubc.ca

Reimbursement/Time: The lasts 40-50 minutes and participants will be compensated with a $10 Amazon gift card.

Study End Date: 8/31/2023

Investigating Cognitive Factors Associated with Gambling

Researcher: Brittney Russell (graduate student), Dr. Catharine Winstanley (PI)

Description: The study contains a single 2-3 hour test session. Prior to the test session, we will arrange a telephone call to ask some questions about your general health, mental health and gambling behavior to confirm your eligibility for the study. During the test session, you will first undergo a structured clinical interview with a member of our team and will privately complete questionnaires regarding your personality and gambling, before being asked to complete some computerized tasks. The tasks involve choosing between two probability scenarios and will be accompanied by eye tracking, done non-invasively using a special apparatus with a small camera.

Eligibility:

  • You are between the ages of 25 and 40 years old
  • You are fully vaccinated for COVID-19
  • You are able to read, write and speak fluent English
  • You have not experienced problems associated with gambling
  • You do not have a history of/current neurological illness, head injury or psychiatric hospitalization
  • You do not have any ongoing problems with mental health (e.g., depression/anxiety) or substances
  • You have not started (or changed) any medication or medication dose in the past 6 weeks

Location: Vancouver General Hospital’s Eye Care Centre (360A-2550 Willow Street)

Contact Information: to participate, email brittney.russell@psych.ubc.ca

Reimbursement/Time: You will be compensated $30 for your time and will earn bonus payment on the computer tasks. We will also reimburse any transit or parking expenses.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted 2022 Oct 6

Feasibility study of long-term light and ion therapy for maintenance treatment in depression (LIMIT-D) (In-person)

Researcher: Dr. Raymond Lam, Department of Psychiatry

Description: The UBC Mood Disorders Centre at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health is now recruiting for a feasibility study exploring the use of two separate non-medication treatments, light therapy and ion therapy, as maintenance treatment in major depression. We are interested in exploring factors affecting the two treatments as maintenance treatments (to help prevent the return of symptoms) instead of medications in people with Major Depressive Disorders who wish to stop their antidepressant treatment.

Participation would include daily use of a bright light device or ion device provided by our clinic for 6 months, as well as regularly completing self-rated scales and meeting the study doctor for assessments. However, half of the treatment devices have been modified so that they are inactive (placebo). You have a 1 in 2 chance (like flipping a coin) of receiving an active or an inactive device.

Eligibility: We are looking for people who:

  • are 19-65 years old;
  • meet criteria for major depressive disorder (not bipolar disorder) and have had two or more episodes of depression;
  • are currently taking an antidepressant for depression, and have taken it continuously for at least 3 months and no more than 12 months, with no dose change in the past month
  • are interested in or are considering stopping your antidepressant
  • are feeling well (no longer depressed) and in remission, according to a clinical interview
  • do not have a seasonal pattern of depressive episodes (seasonal affective disorder)
  • have no other major medical conditions or psychiatric conditions (except for major depressive disorder);
  • do not have a problem with substance use currently or within the past 6 months.

Location: UBC Mood Disorders Centre, at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health

Contact information: Jing Liu Lam.MDDResearch2@ubc.ca

Reimbursement/Time: $15 per visit (1-2 hours)

Study End Date: Sep 2024

Visual-motor experience and motor imagery in hand gestures (In-person)

Researcher: Ryan Jin (RA), Carrie Peters, Dr. Matthew Scott, Dr. Sarah Kraeutner, and Dr. Nicola Hodges (PI; School of Kinesiology, UBC)
Description: Participants are needed for a UBC study to investigate processes used in motor imagery. In this research study we examine motor imagery processes before and after physical and observational practice. Participants may or may not practice with a partner. This study is being run by the Motor Skills Lab in the School of Kinesiology by principal investigator Dr. Nicola Hodges.
Eligibility: In order to participate in this study, you must meet all of the following requirements:
  • Between 18 and 50 years old
  • No experience with visual sign languages (such as American Sign Language)
  • Right-hand dominant for most skills
  • Normal to corrected-to-normal vision
  • No known physical disorders or injuries to impede full body movement
  • No known neurological disorders
  • Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
  • Must be able to understand and speak English
Location: 300A in the War Memorial Gym (6081 University Blvd; http://www.maps.ubc.ca/PROD/index_detail.php?locat1=428).
Contact Information: If you meet the eligibility criteria, please email kin.msl@ubc.ca and include “Motor imagery” in the subject line. In your email, please include a UBC email (if available), a phone number, your gender and availability over the next two weeks.
Reimbursement/Time: The study is estimated to take up to 1 hour and 45 minutes across one visit. Participants will be reimbursed $15.65 per hour.
Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted Sept 20, 2022

Eye movements as a sensitive indicator of trait impulsivity

Researcher: Miriam Spering (Primary investigator) and Juana Ayala (graduate student)

Description: This study seeks to relate impulse control to hypomania/mania proneness using sensitive tests based on naturally occurring and instinctive eye movements in a cohort of young, undiagnosed, adults. During the session you will first complete a number of short assessments to test your vision, personality traits, and cognitive abilities.You will then view visual stimuli on a computer monitor while your eye movements are being recorded.

Eligibility: To participate you must:

  • be between 19-40 years old.
  • have normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity.
  • have no history of bipolar disorder
  • have no history of eye disease (such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or “lazy eye”), traumatic brain injury (in the last two years), or stroke.
  • not be currently on medication to treat a psychiatric disorder.
  • not be experiencing ongoing symptoms of depression.

Location: This study will be conducted at UBC campus in the ICICS building, room X715 (2366 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC).

Contact Information: If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in participating in our study please contact Juana Ayala at jmayala3@student.ubc.ca.

Reimbursement/Time: This study will be conducted in one session taking up to 2 hours. You will receive $10 per hour of study participation (rounded up to the nearest 15 min interval).

Study End Date: May 2023.

Effect of behavioural tasks on capsaicin-induced secondary hyperalgesia (In-person)

Researcher: Nicole Bailey (MSc student), Dr. John (Kip) Kramer (PI)

Description: Participants will be asked to fill out a demographics survey and three questionnaires (15 minutes in total). Participants will then come to ICORD for a single 90 minute testing session. Pinpricks tests will be conducted to assess mechanical pain perception. Pinpricks will feel sharp but will not pierce skin. Participants will undergo a short behavioural task and have capsaicin cream applied to their forearm. During four 10 minute periods of the experiment, cardiac outcomes will be recorded by a Finometer Pro, which non-invasively monitors cardiac outcomes with an inflatable finger cuff.

Eligibility:

  • English speaking adults between the ages 19 and 45 (inclusive) who are able to provide informed consent.
  • Must be free of chronic pain (pain lasting >3 months) and not taking any psychoactive medication.
  • Cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Must be free of neurological or psychiatric condition (e.g., neuropathic pain, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar, fibromyalgia, spinal cord injury, etc.).
  • Cannot have had previous negative reactions to topical capsaicin application, or have skin disorders or tattoos on the forearm.
  • No alcohol or other drug use in the 24-hours prior to testing.
  • No smoking, vaping, exercising or consuming coffee one hour prior to experimentation.
  • No participation in a previous study that involved a public speech.

Location: Blusson Spinal Cord Centre (818 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9)

Contact Information: Please contact Nicole Bailey at nicoleba@student.ubc.ca or 604-675-8876

Reimbursement/Time: Participants will be asked to come to Blusson Spinal Cord Centre for a 90 minute in-person testing session. Prior to the testing day, participants will be asked to fill out a short demographics form, COVID-19 survey, and 3 short questionnaires on UBC-hosted Qualtrics, which will take 15 minutes total. An honorarium for participation is available.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted July 26, 2022

Line IT (online)

Researcher: Ronald Rensink (PI), Sherry Wang (Project Leader), Flora Zhi (Project Leader), Olivia Xu, Taina Dauzaker

Description: Are our visual systems smarter than we think? We want to investigate whether changing the global configuration of the display will affect the time it takes to find the target. Participants will complete a visual search task on their computer.

Eligibility:

  • Must be between 18-35 years of age. Please make sure your internet has enough bandwidth to share your screen with us for the duration of the study.

Location: Online (zoom)

Contact Information: Flora Zhi fzhi@student.ubc.ca

Reimbursement/Time: $10 for approximately 50 minutes of study

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted July 15, 2022

Adaptation to ozone in individuals with asthma or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB; In-person)

Researcher: Patric Gonçalves (M.Sc student), Dr. Michael Koehle (Principal Investigator)

Description: Participants will be asked to exercise on a stationary bike, in our lab, for 30min at a moderate exercise intensity while breathing a controlled and safe level of ozone. Participant will visit our laboratory to exercise for 5 consecutive days. After a period of at least two days, participant will come back to the lab to perform another 5 days of the same exercise. Reach out to us if you have respiratory symptoms during or after exercise but unsure whether you have asthma or EIB.

Eligibility:

  • Inclusion criteria:
    • 18 – 50 years old
    • Physically active
    • Non-smoker
    • Have been diagnosed or have symptoms of asthma and/or mild exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (testing will be performed on the first visit
    • Able to communicate in English
  • Exclusion criteria:
    • Pregnant or potentially pregnant (risk of ozone exposure for the fetus)
    • Musculoskeletal injuries in the lower limb that could interfere with cycling exercise
    • Cardiorespiratory diseases other than asthma or EIB or vascular diseases
    • Under supplementation with antioxidant, vitamins E or C, antihypertensives, beta blockers

Location: Environmental Physiology Laboratory at Medical Sciences Block C (UBC Vancouver), Room 118. 2176 Health Sciences Mall. Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

Contact Information: Patric Gonçalves -patricog@alumni.ubc.ca

Reimbursement/Time:

  • $30 per visit ($300 total)
  • Free VO2max test (cardiorespiratory fitness)
  • Free spirometry test (lung function)
  • Free test for exercise-induced asthma (Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperventilation test)

Time:

  • Each visit will last up to 2h
  • Total number of visits: 10
  • Total time commitment: 16h

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted on July 14, 2022

ROAR CANADA: Craving Associations to Relevant Electroencephalography Signals (CARES; In-person)

Researcher: Tanisse Teale and Dr. Christian Schutz
Description: Craving has been highly discussed in as a central risk factor in addiction research but what is not known is the pattern of craving over an extended period of abstinence. ROAR CANADA CARES utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) to identify neural markers that show craving through a computer picture task. We are also using a control group, which includes individuals without a history of psychiatric disorder or substance use disorder, to help us understand what results may be generalizable to every person and which results are specific to having a concurrent disorder.
Eligibility:
  • 19 or older
  • Proficient in English
  • Healthy (including no current psychiatric illness or substance dependence, and no history of major head injury)
Location: 430 – 5950 University Blvd – David Strangway Building, Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z3
Contact Information: BRAIN Lab Research Team, brainlab.cares@ubc.ca
Reimbursement/Time: Up to $60, 6 sessions once a month for 5 months, totalling 6 hours (sessions can range from 35 minutes to 60 minutes)
Study End Date: February 2023

Visual-motor experience and motor imagery in hand gestures (In-person)

Researcher: Minghao Ma (RA), Ryan Jin (RA), Carrie Peters, Dr. Matthew Scott, Dr. Sarah Kraeutner, and Dr. Nicola Hodges (PI; School of Kinesiology, UBC)
Description: Participants are needed for a UBC study to investigate processes used in motor imagery. In this research study we examine motor imagery processes before and after physical and observational practice. Participants will practice with a partner. This study is being run by the Motor Skills Lab in the School of Kinesiology by principal investigator Dr. Nicola Hodges.
Eligibility: In order to participate in this study, you must meet all of the following requirements:
  • Between 18 and 50 years old
  • No experience with visual sign languages (such as American Sign Language)
  • Right-hand dominant for most skills
  • Normal to corrected-to-normal vision
  • No known physical disorders or injuries to impede full body movement
  • No known neurological disorders
  • Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
  • Must be able to understand and speak English
Location: 300A in the War Memorial Gym (6081 University Blvd; http://www.maps.ubc.ca/PROD/index_detail.php?locat1=428).
Contact Information: If you meet the eligibility criteria, please email kin.msl@ubc.ca and include “Motor imagery” in the subject line. In your email, please include a UBC email (if available), a phone number, your gender and availability over the next two weeks.
Reimbursement/Time: The study is estimated to take up to 1 hour and 45 minutes across one visit. Participants will be reimbursed $15.65 per hour.
Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted June 30 2022

SHIVA perceptual modes experiment

Researcher: Sogol Ghattan, Tainá Dauzaker, Katerina Li, Christine Song, Kevin Zhang, Isabel Zorrila, Ronald Rensink (PI)
Description:  We are investigating various possible influences on visual search, an experimental paradigm used to study the attentional processing of visual stimuli. Furthermore, we are interested in discovering a predictable relationship, if any, which exists between the viewing of particular stimuli and participants’ mode of attentional engagement.
Eligibility:
  • Online: In order to participate, your computer screen must be at least 16cm in height (not including the bevels). You must also be willing to share your screen and turn on your webcam for the duration of the experiment.
  • In-person: being able to come to the UBC campus Kenny building.
Location:  UBC Kenny Building , Room 3204
Contact Information: 
Reimbursement/Time: $10 for approximately 40 minutes of study
Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted June 23, 2022

Visual and Kinesthetic Contributions (In-person)

Researcher: Annika Szarka, Braelyn Gandossi, Gregg Eschelmuller, Romeo Chua (PI)

Description: We are conducting a number of studies designed to examine the interactions between vision and kinesthesis in the control and adaptation of voluntary movement. We are interested in the role of sensory and error signals in motor control. In this study, you will be asked to make reaching movements in response to visual targets. Your primary goal will be to make target-directed reaches as quickly and accurately as possible under a variety of visual and kinesthetic sensory conditions. A computer-controlled motion analysis system will be used to monitor eye and hand movements. Visual and kinesthetic stimuli will be presented via visual displays and muscle vibration, respectively.

Eligibility: You may be able to participate if:

  • Age 18-35
  • Right-Handed
  • Have normal or corrected vision
  • No known neurological disorder
  • Fully vaccinated for COVID-19

Location: Room 202, Osborne Ctr Unit 2, 6108 Thunderbird Blvd, UBC Vancouver Campus

Contact Information: If you are interested in participating, please send an email to pmdlab.ubc@gmail.com. We will be in touch with further study information and scheduling.

Reimbursement/Time: The study consists of one session of testing, approximately 60-75 minutes. Participants will receive a $10 honorarium for participation.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted June 14, 2o22

Exploring Eating and Mental Health in a Daily Diary Study (Online)

Researcher: Arezoo Shahnaz (graduate student), Dr. E. David Klonsky (Principal Investigator)

Description: We are looking for young adults (age 18-35) to participate in a daily diary study on eating behaviours, mental health, and suicide. This research will help mental health professionals better understand and meet the needs of people who experience eating concerns and suicidal thoughts. This research would not be possible without the support of interested participants.

The study involves one brief virtual visit (video call) to get set up and answering short questionnaires 3 times a day for 7 days using your smartphone (iPhone/android).

Eligibility: In order to participate, you must

  • Be between the ages of 18-35
  • Currently reside in British Columbia
  • Own a smartphone capable of downloading apps (ExpiWell)
  • Engage in certain eating behaviours AND experience suicidal thoughts

Location: Online

Contact Information: If you are interested, take a short survey to find out if you are eligible for the study. After completing the survey, IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, a researcher will contact you to set up the initial visit:

https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bpcnd63kXzrjZ78

Reimbursement/Time: If you are eligible for the study, you will attend one brief virtual visit (video call) to get set up and answering short questionnaires 3 times a day for 7 days using your smartphone(iPhone/android). You will have the opportunity to earn up to $55 in Amazon.ca gift cards

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted 2022 June 3rd.

Sequency Learning Dyad Keypress (In-person)

Researcher: Aneesha Mehta (RA), Georgia Grieve, Dr. Matthew Scott and Dr. Nicola Hodges (PI; School of Kinesiology, UBC)

Description: One-off research participant for research project in the School of Kinesiology (right-handed females only). You will be asked to come to the War Memorial Gym to take part in a study looking at the cognitive and behavioural processes involved in motor learning. We will study how people practice and learn various patterns of keystrokes across two days of practice. This study requires attendance of 2 sessions (1 session/day for 2 consecutive days). Day 1 will last approximately 1h 15 minutes. Day 2 will last approximately 30 minutes. Participants may, or may not, learn the task with another participant (depending on group allocation).

Eligibility: In order to participate in this study, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Female adult (age 18-35)
  • Right-hand dominant
  • Normal vision or wear corrective lenses
  • No injury to the right hand
  • Must be English speaking
  • Must be vaccinated against COVID-19
  • No known neurological disorders
  • No previous participation in a similar study (involving keystroke patterns) conducted by the Motor Skills Laboratory (if in doubt, please check with Aneesha, email: Kin.msl@ubc.ca)

Location: Room 24A (basement level) in the War Memorial Gym (6081 University Blvd; http://www.maps.ubc.ca/PROD/index_detail.php?locat1=428).

Contact Information: If you meet the qualifications below, please email Aneesha to indicate interest (resume NOT required). In your email provide a UBC email (if applicable), a phone number and your availability over the coming weeks. Please include “ATTN: Keypress” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Reimbursement/Time: The study is estimated to take up to 2 hours across the two days. Participants will be reimbursed $16.65 per hour.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted May 30, 2022

Perinatal Anxiety Screening Effectiveness Study (Online)

Researcher: Dr. Nichole Fairbrother, Cora Keeney
Description: One in five pregnant and postpartum people suffers from an anxiety or anxiety-related condition. Despite this, these difficulties are typically not screened for, and little is known about the impact of screening on mental health. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the impact of screening for [eonytal anxiety and anxiety related disorders on mental health outcomes.
Eligibility: If you live in British Columbia, are age 18 or older, are pregnant (28 weeks and beyond), or have a newborn under the age of 12 weeks, you are eligible to participate.
Location: Online.
Contact Information: par.lab@ubc.ca; cora.keeney@ubc.ca
Reimbursement/Time: Participation takes 45-75 minutes. Participants who complete the full study will receive a $25 e-transfer. Those who complete a portion of the study will receive $15.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted April 25, 2022

Allies in Health: Social-Cognitive Predictors of Everyday Health Behaviors in Older Dyads (Online)

Researcher: Dr. Christiane Hoppmann (PI), Tiana Broen, Yoonseok Choi

Description: The primary purpose is to consider how social support plays a role in the everyday life of older adults including the impact on their health behaviours and goals set together with a study partner like a spouse, a friend, an adult child, or another social tie. Participants will have two virtual Zoom sessions with research assistants, receive daily surveys for 10 days, and complete a blood draw at a local lab.

Eligibility: You can participate in this study if you or your study partner are aged 60 years or older.

Location: Online and at home

Contact Information: To participate, email allies@psych.ubc.ca or call at (604) 822-3549

Reimbursement/Time: Approximately 10 hours is required for this study (including 2 assessments, a blood draw at a lab, and daily life assessments). Each partner can choose to receive a gift card or receive a physical activity tracker. A personalized health feedback letter is provided to each participant. Please contact the lab for further details.

Study End Date: Ongoing. Posted April 15, 2022

Examining the Effect of Salbutamol Use in Ozone Air Pollution by People with Asthma and/or EIB

Researchers: Michael Koehle (principle investigator), Ben Stothers (graduate student)

Description: We are recruiting individuals with asthma and/or EIB. This study will involve exercising on a stationary bike while breathing in either room air or simulated real-world ozone pollution after taking either salbutamol (inhaler medication) or placebo medication.

Eligibility:

  • Inclusion Criteria:
    • Have asthma and/or EIB (will be tested for on the first day)
    • 18-50 years old
    • Able to exercise on a stationary bike
  • Exclusion Criteria:
    • Smoker
    • Pregnant or potentially pregnant

Location: Room 118 in Medical Sciences Block C. 2176 Health Sciences Mall. Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

Contact Information: Patric Gonçalves (patricog@student.ubc.ca)

Reimbursement/ Time:

  • Reimbursement
    • 150$ total: The study will involve 5 visits (30$ each).
    • Free VO2max test (aerobic fitness measure).
    • Free Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction test.
    • Free Lung Function testing.
  • Time (roughly 11.5 hours total)
    • 5 visits. The first visit will be roughly 1.5 hours and the next 4 visits will roughly 2.5 hours

Study Duration: Ongoing. Posted 2022 Feb 28.

Join the Mailing List

If you would like to receive regular emails listing the paid surveys available at UBC, join the paid participant studies mailing list! Emails are typically sent out on a weekly or bi-weekly basis (depending on whether there are new studies available).

To join the list, please sign up at http://www.tinyletter.com/PaidParticipants. You may unsubscribe yourself at any time.

Advertise on the List

If you have paid studies you want to list on the mailing list/listserv, please send an email to Ke at kezhang@psych.ubc.ca with the following information. Please send your listing plain-text in an email with 1) ethics approval attachment; 2) “Paid study posting” in the email subject to ensure your email does not get lost.

Study Title: A unique title used to identify your study (Indicate if this is an online study or not)

Researcher: The grad student(s) and the primary investigator

Description: A few sentences or a short paragraph about what participants will do. You can use the Human Subjects Pool style as a guide.

Eligibility: Any restrictions, such as if you only want students, psych majors, a certain age, etc.

Location: Where the participant will take part in the study (e.g., Kenny building, UBC campus, Vancouver General Hospital, online). Please note that not all readers of the list are UBC students, and so if your location is a building on campus, we recommend you include a street address so participants can look up the location of the building.

Contact Information: A name, email address/phone number, a scheduling link (if eligible) so participants can organize a time to participate

Reimbursement/Time: What participants will be paid and how long will the study take

Study End Date: When the study will be removed from the list. Studies labelled ongoing will remain on the list for one year or until you contact Ke to remove them.

Please note: This list is a posting service only. All studies affiliated with UBC involving human participants are required to have a research ethics certificate before using this service and the use of this site needs to be specifically outlined in the research ethics application. It is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure proper ethics guidelines are being followed in using this list as an advertising space. For information on UBC Research Ethics, consult the Office of Research Ethics website. This list is hosted online by, but not affiliated with, the Psychology Graduate Student Council.