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Instructions for Using the Sona System

On this page you can find instructions for

    1. Creating an account on the Sona system
    2. Logging on the Sona system
    3. Signing up for an experiment
    4. Cancelling an experiment
    5. Reassigning credits for an experiment 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 on the next page. ENTER AS YOUR USERNAME YOUR FIRST NAME AND YOUR LAST NAME WITH NO SPACES (for instance barrysmith or kevinmurnane). TO BE SURE YOU GET APPROPRIATE CREDIT, PLEASE ENTER YOUR STUDENT ID NUMBER ON THE STUDENT ID LINE!! Also select each of the courses that you want to be able to assign your credits to.


3. Click on “Request Account.” Wait for an email to be sent to the email address you entered (should only take a few minutes or less)

 

How to Log Onto the Sona System

  1. When you get the email, go again to the Sona Systems website.
  2. At the Sona Systems site, Enter your User ID and Password as specified in the email
  3. 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 not, with the policies
  4. Complete the pretest and Indicate that you are over 18 years of age. If you are not over 18, please contact the webmaster for an alternative way to gain credits
  5. Click on “My Profile” and update your profile if needed

How to sign-up for experiments

  1. 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.
  2. YOU MUST FIRST COMPLETE THE EXPERIMENT “SELECTION QUESTIONNAIRES”. This is a one-hour experiment (1 credit hour) that is conducted online. Most experiments, however, require you to go to a laboratory.
  3. 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”
  4. 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.

How to cancel an Experiment

If you absolutely have to cancel your appointment, the way to do this without receiving a penalty is to:
1. Logon 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 eliminate the 1 point penalty.

How to Reassign your Credits to Different Classes

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

See the “Frequently Asked Questions” section at the homepage of the Sona webpage, or contact the Sona administrator.