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Instructions for Using the Sona System

View/Download SONA Instructions in PDF format

Below , you will find detailed instructions on:

Creating an account on the Sona system
Logging on the Sona system
Signing up for an experiment
Cancelling a Scheduled Experiment Participation
Reassigning Earned Credits to a Different Class

To participate in experiments, please follow these steps exactly.

Creating an account on the Sona system

If you already have an account from a prior semester, skip this section and logon with your existing username and password.

1. Go to the SONA system website. Click on the small link on the left side under [New Participant?] that says “Request an Account Here”

2. Enter your personal information in the account creation form. It is strongly recommended that you complete every field – in the interest of verification and convenience.

You must use your University ID Number as the User ID (e.g. 123456789). This guarantees a unique & available User ID. Enter your name, University email address, Phone, and your University ID (in both the User ID and the Student ID field). Select ALL the courses for which you intend on earning research participation credits. CHECK TO ENSURE YOU HAVE USED THE CORRECT UNIVERSITY ID & MADE ACCURATE COURSE SELECTIONS.

If your course is not listed, please contact your professor to have it added.

3.Click on “Request Account.” A confirmation message will be sent to the email address you entered (should only take a few minutes or less). Be sure to check your junk-mail filter before reporting a system/delivery error.

Logging in to the SONA System

When you receive the email, navigate to the SONA Systems website.
At the SONA Systems site, enter your User ID and Password as specified in the email.
After logging in, read the “Human Subjects/Privacy Policy” page and click “YES” or “NO” at the bottom of the page to indicate that you agree, or do not agree, with the policies.
Complete the Prescreen and indicate that you are over 18 years of age. If you are not over 18, please contact the SONA Webmaster for an alternative way to earn credits.
Click on “My Profile” and update your profile if necessary.

Signing up for Experiments

To view all of the available studies click on “Study Sign-Up” and you will be able to view the studies that are currently available for you to participate in.
If you want to view the available timeslots for a particular study, click on “Timeslots Available” next to the study of interest and then click on “View Time Slots for This Study”
To sign up for a timeslot, click on “Sign Up” next to the time you want to participate and you will receive an e-mail confirmation. You will also receive a ‘reminder’ e-mail the day before your appointment. Please be sure to show up for your appointments at least 5 minutes early because often people cannot be allowed in the laboratory after the experiment begins.

Cancelling Scheduled Experiment Participation

If you absolutely have to cancel your appointment, you may do so without receiving a penalty by:
1. Logging in to the SONA System.
2. Click on “My Schedule and Credits”
3. Click on “SIGN-UP HISTORY” at the bottom of the page
4. Select “Cancel” next to the study you need to cancel. Reminder: This must occur at least 24 hours in advance of the appointment time to avoid the 1 point penalty.

Reassigning Earned Credits to a Different Class

Once you have earned credits, you may go to “My Schedule and Credits" page to reassign any credit(s) you have earned to a different course. Select “My Schedule and Credits” and click on "Reassign" under the courses column for the credit(s) you want to reassign.

Other Questions

Navigate to the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page on the SONA Website and read the information provided on the Department of Psychology’s research participation website. If you still have questions or an unresolved issue, contact the SONA Administrator.

Research

In the Department

Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Clinical Psychological Science program

Beginning in the Fall of 2013 the Department will offer a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Clinical Psychological Science program. This program provides rigorous training in the scientific approach to clinical psychology, emphasizing evidence-based psychological assessment and intervention. Students will be exposed to contemporary theories of clinical disorders and empirically supported interventions for the treatment of these disorders. The program is designed for working professionals and will prepare students for a range of careers in mental health and related areas (including research and education) and can serve as academic preparation for those interested in pursuing further doctoral training in clinical or counseling psychology. For more information on the MPS program please follow this link.

Training Opportunity for Mental Health Care Professionals

The Department of Psychology is excited to announce a new training opportunity for mental health professionals! The Graduate Certificate of Professional Studies in Working with Survivors of Violence, Torture, and Trauma (VTT): Theoretical Foundations and Mental Health is designed for psychologists, counselors, family therapists, or social workers seeking to develop or enhance knowledge related to serving survivors of trauma and/or torture. The 12‐credit, four‐course, fully online program is open to students with a master's or doctoral degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or related fields from an accredited institution. Courses may also fulfill continuing education and licensure requirements. For more information, please follow this link.

Psychology Graduate Students Are Being Published!

Our students are publishing and we want to share their publications with you! So next time you are going to a meeting in the big conference room or just walking down the hall, stop and check out the bulletin board located next to the entrance to 1142. The Graduate Office will be posting student publications there. Of course, there isn't room to
show the entire publication, but the cover page will be there and we will highlight a link to the article so that you can read it in its entirety later. New publications we will be posted every few weeks.

Feel better now?