Brisbane baby volunteers for UQ developmental research! 6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 18mos

[UQECDU]

Hi mums and dads!

I've come here before to post about social and developmental research involving babies and children at the University of Queensland, and I've always gotten a good response. We are currently in particular need of babies aged 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, and 18 months to participate in some studies we are running in November and early December (though we welcome all parents of children aged 5 and under to express their interest, as we are constantly running new studies!). Participation in these studies involves coming to the University of Queensland, St Lucia, for a one-off session that lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. Kids are never separated from their parents and they receive a small gift and certificate for participating as a thank-you. We make every effort to ensure that kids enjoy themselves, and our studies focus on their natural behaviour, cognitive development, language ability, play, imitation, etc - no injections or electrodes! I've included details of the studies involving the age groups I mentioned below.

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6- and 9-month-olds:

• What do babies expect to be attached to hands? In this study, babies watch human hands (the "owner" of the hands is hidden behind a curtain) playing with a toy. The curtain is drawn back, and babies see either a person or something surprising, like a shop dummy - do they look longer if they see something one wouldn't expect?

6-, 9- and 12-month-olds

• How good are babies at imitating an adult's approach towards grasping an object? Different objects need different types of grasping in order to be held properly. If a baby watches an item being grasped by an adult in a particular way, how well can they copy that?

• Can babies tell the difference between normal and scrambled bodies? We show babies pictures of normal bodies or scrambled bodies (e.g., with the arms where the legs should be). Do they prefer looking at one type of picture over the other?

9-, 12-, and 18-month-olds

• Can babies tell the difference between male and female bodies? We show babies pictures of male and female bodies, wearing the same clothes and with their heads covered. Do they prefer looking at pictures of one gender over pictures of the other?

18-month-olds

• How well can babies learn from picture books? We read babies a book about making a toy, then after a delay, we see how well they can make the toy themselves. What qualities of picture books can help maximise babies' learning?

• Can babies tell the difference between correct and incorrect counting? We show babies a video where fish are counted either correctly or incorrectly. Do they discriminate between the two types of counting?

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So as you can see, we have a lot of studies! The roughly half-hour session you come in for will include all the studies focusing on your child's age. If you are interested in participating, or would like any more information, please feel free to contact me using the details below - I test kids whenever parents are available, including weekends. The final day I will be testing will be December 5th, as I am then going overseas! But many of the studies will continue without me.

My contact information:

Philippa Neary (Research Assistant)
Early Cognitive Development Unit, School of Psychology, UQ
http://www2.psy.uq.edu.au/research/ecdu/
Lab phone: (07) 3365 6323 (if you get the answering machine, feel free to leave a message – I check it frequently!)
Email: p.neary@psy.uq.edu.au

Many thanks!

[sam's mum]

if we have given our names and kids details before do we need to contact again?

[UQECDU]

Hello!

No, if you've given me details already then don't worry, you're on the database and if we have any studies targeting the age that your kids are at, then you should receive a letter. I'm not sure exactly how old Isabelle is (though I don't think I've met her!) but I do know that I've avoided sending letters to parents who've come in recently, as I don't want to hassle them excessively by sending letters every 3-6 months! Sally, our administrator, is sending out a November 2008 newsletter updating parents on study results at the moment - so if you receive that newsletter then you're definitely in our records!

All the best,
Philippa

[QTB]

I have emailed you

[naiwen]

I already signed up at the expo, would be happy to help with the study.

[sam's mum]

Hello!

No, if you've given me details already then don't worry, you're on the database and if we have any studies targeting the age that your kids are at, then you should receive a letter. I'm not sure exactly how old Isabelle is (though I don't think I've met her!) but I do know that I've avoided sending letters to parents who've come in recently, as I don't want to hassle them excessively by sending letters every 3-6 months! Sally, our administrator, is sending out a November 2008 newsletter updating parents on study results at the moment - so if you receive that newsletter then you're definitely in our records!

All the best,
Philippa

It was Sam last time, although Belle got a present too just for being there .

she was born 27/9/2007, I am not sure if you want them to be the exact ages...

[ladybugblue84]

Hi my bubby is born on the 19/04/08 & I wouldn't mind for her to be on your database. What is parking like?

[UQECDU]

she was born 27/9/2007, I am not sure if you want them to be the exact ages...

We do try to test kids within about two weeks either side of the age mark (ideally). However there are plenty of studies that she will be eligible for in the future, I'm sure of it!

What is parking like?

Good question, and something I forgot to mention! Parking is free. We give you a voucher to park in the "clinic carpark" outside our building, and it's valid for the whole day (if you want to go afterwards to the lakes where all the ducks live, or to the bookshop, etc).

Thanks everyone for your expressions of interest and your support! I will make sure I reply to all your emails today!

[UQECDU]

One final post, I think, before I'll have to focus on testing kids - we're now in particular need of 18-month-old girls (boys are also appreciated). If you are, or know, a mum of an 18-month-old girl who may be interested, feel free to contact us!

Thanks everyone!

[trin_007]

Hi UQECDU - I just wanted to say continue posting your calls for research participants for new studies on here. I am happy to help out if I see something my DS will fit into, and have #2 on the way next year.

Or should I 'register' with your office???