COVID-19 update: Our lab is currently closed for in-person visits. We have virtual visits using Zoom video conferencing software! If you are interested in participating, please fill out this survey and we will contact you: https://uncg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJW6EjjjwhJ0vSR
Looking for more information or activities? Visit our Events and Resources page!
Have questions? Read our family FAQ, call us at 336-256-0052, or email us at [email protected].
Looking for more information or activities? Visit our Events and Resources page!
Have questions? Read our family FAQ, call us at 336-256-0052, or email us at [email protected].
What is your research about?
In our research projects, we want to understand more about how children think and learn about the world. We are especially interested in the development of children's social and cultural attitudes and what they think about food. To learn more about our findings, visit our Research and Media pages!
What does it mean to participate in a research study?
Our research projects typically require one visit to our lab. Each visit lasts 30-60 minutes. This includes time it takes to get to our lab from the parking deck, filling out forms, completing the study, and picking out a prize. Since we work with a wide age range, we try to keep projects short so that even younger kids can finish the whole thing. We tell children stories about different people or offer them foods to eat or toys to play with, and ask their opinions. You will also meet our student researchers, who are interested in child development and are happy to talk to you about what they are learning in their classes and from working in our lab.
Will I know the results of the study?
If you would like, you can watch your child participate in the study on an iPad in our family waiting room. We can also tell you what we know so far about how the project is going after your child is done with the study. Sometimes you might be some of the first families to participate, so we might not know that much yet! Some studies take a long time to finish, so it might be a while before we have updates about the study your child completed. We send out a yearly newsletter to update families on the progress of our ongoing projects and any interesting results, so you will have a chance to learn about all the projects we are working on.
Can I bring my other children with me, even if they are not participating in a study?
Of course! You or our student researchers can wait with them in our family waiting area. We have games, toys, and books for children of all ages.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
No! Just bring yourself and anything you need to feel comfortable. We have hot and cold beverages, toys and games, WiFi, books, and a Family and Nursing Room available in the building if you ever need a private space.
When do your studies run? I can't come during business hours.
We completely understand that families are busy! We generally have one afternoon per week where we schedule appointments after 5pm and one or two weekend days available per month.
Can my child participate if they are a picky eater or have food allergies?
Yes! We are interested in children's reactions to the foods we offer or opinions about foods, even if they don't eat the food. Even though picky eating is very common, it is still not very well understood, so we hope that our research contributes to our understanding of this common experience.
In some studies, we leave it up to parents to select foods they are comfortable with (such as studies on infant eating). In studies where we offer real foods to eat, we try to pick foods that are not common allergens. We can also offer a different version the study so that we ask your child about their opinions about the foods or people who eat those foods, or change to a project that does not involve eating foods.
What happens if we come in and my child does not want to play or finish the study?
That is totally fine. This happens all the time, especially for projects with younger children, and this can tell us something important about our project. We have lots of toys and games so children have a chance to warm up and get used to being in our space and interacting with our team. We can also take breaks at any time and we want this to be a fun experience, so we follow the child's lead. Children can pick out a prize even if they do not finish the study.
How did you get my contact information?
We probably met you at one of our community events (such as Crafts and Conversation at LeBauer Park) or you filled out a contact form at your child's school or daycare. We have a volunteer database that we share with the DUCK Lab and other labs in our department and we only add families that have expressed interest in participating in research projects.
I would like to sign up for studies. How do I do that?
Wonderful! We would love to have you participate in our research. Call us at 336-256-0052 or email us at [email protected] and we can add you to our database! If we have a project available for your child's age, we can schedule you for an appointment.
In our research projects, we want to understand more about how children think and learn about the world. We are especially interested in the development of children's social and cultural attitudes and what they think about food. To learn more about our findings, visit our Research and Media pages!
What does it mean to participate in a research study?
Our research projects typically require one visit to our lab. Each visit lasts 30-60 minutes. This includes time it takes to get to our lab from the parking deck, filling out forms, completing the study, and picking out a prize. Since we work with a wide age range, we try to keep projects short so that even younger kids can finish the whole thing. We tell children stories about different people or offer them foods to eat or toys to play with, and ask their opinions. You will also meet our student researchers, who are interested in child development and are happy to talk to you about what they are learning in their classes and from working in our lab.
Will I know the results of the study?
If you would like, you can watch your child participate in the study on an iPad in our family waiting room. We can also tell you what we know so far about how the project is going after your child is done with the study. Sometimes you might be some of the first families to participate, so we might not know that much yet! Some studies take a long time to finish, so it might be a while before we have updates about the study your child completed. We send out a yearly newsletter to update families on the progress of our ongoing projects and any interesting results, so you will have a chance to learn about all the projects we are working on.
Can I bring my other children with me, even if they are not participating in a study?
Of course! You or our student researchers can wait with them in our family waiting area. We have games, toys, and books for children of all ages.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
No! Just bring yourself and anything you need to feel comfortable. We have hot and cold beverages, toys and games, WiFi, books, and a Family and Nursing Room available in the building if you ever need a private space.
When do your studies run? I can't come during business hours.
We completely understand that families are busy! We generally have one afternoon per week where we schedule appointments after 5pm and one or two weekend days available per month.
Can my child participate if they are a picky eater or have food allergies?
Yes! We are interested in children's reactions to the foods we offer or opinions about foods, even if they don't eat the food. Even though picky eating is very common, it is still not very well understood, so we hope that our research contributes to our understanding of this common experience.
In some studies, we leave it up to parents to select foods they are comfortable with (such as studies on infant eating). In studies where we offer real foods to eat, we try to pick foods that are not common allergens. We can also offer a different version the study so that we ask your child about their opinions about the foods or people who eat those foods, or change to a project that does not involve eating foods.
What happens if we come in and my child does not want to play or finish the study?
That is totally fine. This happens all the time, especially for projects with younger children, and this can tell us something important about our project. We have lots of toys and games so children have a chance to warm up and get used to being in our space and interacting with our team. We can also take breaks at any time and we want this to be a fun experience, so we follow the child's lead. Children can pick out a prize even if they do not finish the study.
How did you get my contact information?
We probably met you at one of our community events (such as Crafts and Conversation at LeBauer Park) or you filled out a contact form at your child's school or daycare. We have a volunteer database that we share with the DUCK Lab and other labs in our department and we only add families that have expressed interest in participating in research projects.
I would like to sign up for studies. How do I do that?
Wonderful! We would love to have you participate in our research. Call us at 336-256-0052 or email us at [email protected] and we can add you to our database! If we have a project available for your child's age, we can schedule you for an appointment.