The Center for Autism Research and Education conducts research that improves our understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across children, adolescents and adults. Research is conducted in many areas including education, language, learning, development, and adult outcomes. Our participant pool provides the opportunity to participate in research studies at UMass Lowell and contribute to the current understanding of autism.
Participant Pool: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can sign up for the participant pool?
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We are looking for parents of children with ASD, or those with ASD themselves (over the age of 18), to sign up for the participant pool. Some studies may involve coming on to campus, and / or bringing your children with ASD on to campus to participate. Other studies may be completed online.
- How long does it take to sign up?
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After you fill out the online form to sign up you will be asked a few background / demographic questions. It should only take a couple of minutes to answer those questions and be enrolled in the participant pool.
- How do you sign up?
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Fill out this online form to sign up for the Participant Pool.
- What types of studies will I be able to participate in?
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Faculty at CARE are engaged in many different areas of research. A study might involve observing your child playing, completing pencil and paper assessments or questionnaires, participating in an intervention (e.g. social skills group), or being part of a focus group discussion. All studies are approved by the UMass Lowell ethics board before they begin.
- How does the participant pool work?
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Once you have signed up for the participant pool your contact information is kept on file by the CARE director (Ashleigh Hillier, Ph.D). Associate Prof. Hillier will email you when new studies become available that you / your child might be eligible for.
Only she will have access to your contact information. If you would like to participate in a study you would then email the contact person for that study. When you receive an email about a study you are under no obligation to participate, and not participating would not result in penalty of any kind. Not participating would in no way effect current or future programs or opportunities at UMass Lowell.
- How do researchers access the participant pool?
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The participant pool is only available to faculty members associated with the UMass Lowell Center for Autism Research and Education.
Once a study has been approved by the UMass Lowell ethics board, the faculty researcher will send the information to the CARE director (Ashleigh Hillier, Ph.D.). Associate Prof. Hillier will then send an announcement to people in the pool who may be eligible for the study. Only she has access to contact information for people in the participant pool.