Participating in Research for Course Credit

PSYC 2, PSYC 4, and PSYC 8 Students

Participating in research studies for course credit is a course requirement implemented by the Department of Psychology and is not a requirement assigned by the course instructors of PSYC 2, 4, and 8.

This requirement is designed to provide students with some understanding of the methods and procedures used to conduct psychological research. Research studies are conducted by Psychology Department faculty, PSYC 102 students, and graduate students. These studies are reviewed and approved before posting by the IRB and Human Subjects Committee. Students in PSYC 2, 4, and 8 are the "Participants" or "Subject Pool." These studies vary from online surveys to in-person activities in Amador Hall.

Participation Requirements

Participants will create and maintain their Sona Systems account, which houses research studies and tracks credit completion. It is the students responsibility to assign granted credit to correct course title or seek support from the Sona Administrator.

Study timeslots are posted and scheduled by the Researchers and vary throughout the semester. The final day to complete a study sign-up is the Friday before Finals Week.

Please note that the cutoff time for signing up for a study is 6pm the night before, to ensure Researchers are prepared for your participation.

The last day to participate in research is the Friday before Finals Week.
Spring 2026 Deadline: Friday, May 15th
PSYC 2 and 8 students are required to complete 3 hours/credits of research participation for each class.
PSYC 4 students are required to complete 2 hours/credits of research participation.
Students enrolled in more than one course need to earn credits and assign credits accordingly. Failure to assign credits properly will result in the course instructor granting an "Incomplete" grade.
Participants are expected to attend/complete the studies they sign up for. Failure to complete/attend 2 study sign-ups will result in being granted 2 Unexcused No-Shows. Participants will then lose access for study sign-ups for the remainder of the semester.

Research Assignment FAQs

Participation Procedures

Currently Enrolled PSYC 2, PSYC 4, and/or PSYC 8 Students

Register for an account or login to an existing account on the SONA - Psychology Research website
Complete the Prescreen questionnaire to help determine your eligibility for research studies.
Select the correct Course(s) Title that earned credits will be assigned to.
Check your enrolled course title in Student Center to ensure the right section number has been selected. You can select more than one course if enrolled in two courses.
To remove or change the course(s) navigate to the "My Profile" tab.
Sign up for study participation timeslots that are posted by the Researchers of studies in Sona.
Cancel your sign-up if you cannot complete it, including online studies, or email the Researcher in advance to communicate your attendance status. Failure to do this and/or communicate to the Researcher in advance will result in an Unexcused No-Show granted by the Researcher.
In-Person Studies: arrive with your 5-digit Identity Code found in the "My Profile" tab (for online studies fill it out in the survey when/if prompted). Credits are assigned with the use of the Sona Identity Code and not participant names to remain anonymous.
Complete required number of research hours before the Friday before Finals Week. (PSYC 2 & 8 = 3 hours each. PSYC 4 = 2 hours)
Ensure credit is granted and assigned to the correct course, if enrolled in more than one course. Reassign credits to preferred course before the Friday before Finals Week under the "My Profile" tab.
For study questions/issues: contact the Researcher by email through Sona. *Only the Researcher can grant credit and/or alter granted No-Shows.

Incomplete Participation

If a participant does not earn the required number of credits before the deadline by study participation or the alternative writing assignment completion, they will recieve an Incomplete grade in the course.
To resolve an Incomplete grade, students are permitted up to one academic year to fulfill remaining requirements. After one year the grade will automatically become an "F."

Incompletes in PSYC 2, 4, and/or 8 due to research participation requirement not being met:

An Incomplete grade in a prerequisite course will prevent you from enrollment into courses that require successful completion.
Research studies are only available during Fall and Spring semesters. Earning credits cannot be completed during the summer or winter intersessions.
The following fall or spring semester sign up for studies and earn only the remaining number of credits needed to fulfill course requirements. Previously earned credits will roll over.
In Sona Systems, select the course title "1. Students Making Up Incompletes in ___." Other course titles listed are intended for currently enrolled students.
Once credits have been granted to your account by the Researcher, email psychology@csus.edu to notify the department of your completion. Include specific details like your student ID number, the course information and semester taken, and use your CSUS Student Email Address.
Once your credits have been verified by the Sona Administrator, an OnBase e-form (Grade Completion form) will be submitted to the Office of the Registrar on your behalf. This process may take a few weeks to complete but once it is done your grade will be adjusted in your Student Center.
Graduating seniors with an Incomplete grade will need to resolve the Incomplete in order to have their degree conferral processed. Attending commencement with an Incomplete grade is allowed. Graduates are able to complete the remaining credits virtually by signing up for online studies the following semester.

Alternative Writing Assignment

Students who have 2 unexcused no-shows for study sign-ups and/or students not wishing to participate in research have the option of completing an alternative writing assignment. Students who complete this assignment will demonstrate their understanding of research methods by reviewing reports of research studies that have recently been published in Psychology research journals.

This alternative writing assignment contains three parts. All parts must be completed satisfactorily in order to receive credit. Carefully follow the detailed instructions below for the assignment.

Make sure you are signed into your CSUS Office365 account when submitting your Alternative Writing Assignment.
The Human Subjects Committee reviews alternative assignments once at the end of each semester and inform your instructor the results of our evaluation at the end of the finals week.
If the committee determines that revisions are required, instructions and a deadline will be sent to your Sacramento State email account. It is your responsibility to monitor your official Sac State email for any follow-up.

Contact Dr. Qin if you have any questions.

Due Date: Friday May 8, 2026

Alternative Writing Assignment Instructions

Submit Alternative Writing Assignment