Frequently Asked Questions - Language and Cognitive Development Lab at UC Berkeley

I received an email or phone call from your lab. How did you get our information?

We recruit subjects from a number of sources, including from the sign-up sheet on our website, other labs within the Institute of Human Development and Berkeley Psychology Department, local museums, local preschools and daycares, and word of mouth - if you know other parents who might be interested in participating, please tell them about us!

How long does a visit normally take and how many visits are required?

Although many families choose to come in several times to participate in different studies, participation in one study typically requires just one visit and does not commit you to any other visits. If a study requires multiple visits you will be informed in our initial email to you. We schedule 30-45 minute appointments to allow plenty of time for your child to become comfortable with the environment and researchers before beginning the study and to explain to you the theory behind out study afterward, but typically, the study itself only takes between 5 and 15 minutes.

What does a visit entail?

First, a researcher will be waiting at outside our building to greet you and escort you and your child to the play room. While you fill out some forms, we will all get to know each other by playing together until your child feels comfortable. Then, we will all make our way to one of our study rooms, where we will play a game with your child. The particular game your child will play, depends on the research question we are interested in. For example, if our study is about word-learning, we may show your child some interesting objects they’ve never seen before and ask them to extend a new word to one of two choices. We may also, with your permission, use a video camera to record behavior. At the end of the game, we will let your child choose a small gift from our toy display. For more information about studies we are currently running, see our research page.

What if my child doesn’t like the study?

We do find that most children enjoy participating and have even heard anecdotes of children pretend to be researchers when playing at home and preschool. However, you and your child are free to end the session for any reason at any time if either of you are uncomfortable or don't want to participate anymore.

When are appointments scheduled?

We will try our hardest to find a time that works well for you. Studies are typically scheduled Sunday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., but occasionally, we conduct our studies outside of that time frame.

What ages are you looking for?

The study descriptions give information about the age our lab is currently recruiting. However, the Language and Cognitive Development Lab runs a variety of studies for children ages 2 – to 13-years-old and regularly have new studies. We love to hear from parents who are interested in participating, and we can contact you when we have a new study that suits your child.

Where is your lab located?

Our lab is located just west of Berkeley campus at the intersection of Berkeley Way and Shattuck Avenue and we reserve a parking spot for participants right in front of the building. Please see our Directions page for further information.

Is your lab accessible by public transportation?

Yes! The following bus lines stop nearest to our lab: AC Transit 52, 65, 67, 7, 51B, 18, 79, 88, & UC Berkeley F line. You will exit near Shattuck and University or Hearst Ave. & Oxford and walk a couple minutes to our building at 2121 Berkeley Way. The closest Bart stop is the Downtown Berkeley Bart station and is just a short walk away. We are glad to provide more specific instructions over email or you can feel free to visit Google Maps.

Is it easy to find parking near the lab?

Yes! We will reserve a parking spot in an underground garage conveniently located right down the street from our building. We will cover the cost of parking.

Can I stay with my child during the study?

Of course! Parents are encouraged (and sometimes required) to be with their child during the study. However, we ask that you follow the instructions of the researcher and refrain from interacting with your child so that you do not influence their responses. For certain studies we may also ask you to pretend to be distracted (e.g., browse through a magazine) to discourage your child from looking to you for responses.

I have more than one child. Can I bring all of my children with me if only one is participating?

Sure! Let us know at the time of scheduling and we will arrange to have a trained research assistant keep the rest of your children company in the playroom, while you and your child participate in the study. We may also have studies your other children can participate in at the same time.

Will I be paid to participate?

For most studies, we do not pay participants, but your child will receive a small gift (e.g., stuffed animal or coloring book) as a token of our appreciation for contributing to our research. If the study you are being recruited for is paid, you will be told in our initial email to you.

Will I receive the results of my child’s performance?

We study trends in behaviors across groups of children, rather than researching the individual performance of a particular child. It should also be noted that our tests are not designed or used to diagnose or treat developmental delays. While we cannot tell you specifically about your child’s performance, we can tell you how children of a similar age range have performed on the study so far. At the end of each semester, results of studies will be posted to our website in the form of a newsletter. We will also upload detailed research papers to our publications page at the time of publishing, but the publishing process can take up to a few years after study completion.

How long does it take to finish collecting data for a study? How many subjects do you test?

Depending on the required sample size and criteria for participation, it can take anywhere from a few months to over a year to collect data.

Do you conduct your research elsewhere?

Yes! We conduct research at local museums, preschools, and daycares. Currently, we are collaborating with the Lawrence Hall of Science, the Bay Area Discovery Museum, Habitot, and local preschools. If you know of a preschool, daycare, or museum who might be interested in collaborating with us, please contact our Lab Manager.