Graduate research studies

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Waterloo Research Ethics Committee, ORE #47000.

The study involves interacting with an information retrieval system to find relevant documents regarding a topic.

• Format: In-person/hybrid
• Method: The study will include a 1-hour tutorial/training and 5 tasks, each lasting for 1 hour. For each of the tasks, you will be given a topic along with its details, and your goal will be to find documents relevant to that topic using different configurations of our system. You may take breaks at any time except during the tutorial. The tutorial will be in-person on campus, but the remaining tasks can be completed remotely at a time of your choosing.
• Length: 6 hours total
• Participant requirements: 
  • Must be able to comfortably and efficiently read and understand documents in English to judge their relevance on a certain topic.
  • Must have access to a laptop/computer with a mouse, keyboard, and internet connection.
• Remuneration: $120 amazon gift card
• Attachments: Research poster

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Waterloo Research Ethics Committee, ORE #23241.

In this study, a measurement of behaviour test and non-invasive brain imaging will be done using transcranial magnetic simulations. The purpose of this study is to obtain a more detailed understanding of the brain mechanisms of how audiovisual integration changes with age which may help to understand possible treatment options. 

• Format: In-person
• Method: Audiovisual simultaneity judgment task where you will be asked questions about things you see and hear. See consent form for more information. 
• Length: 2-3 hours
• Participant requirements: 20-50 years of age with normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing
• Remuneration: $10/hour
• Attachments: Consent form

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Waterloo Research Ethics Committee, ORE #45474.

This study examines how people interact and perceive objects in virtual reality. Participants are expected to perform a simple object moving task and estimate the size of the object with their hand.

• Format: In-person
• Method: Participants will use a virtual reality headset and answer a survey about their experience.
• Length: 1 hour
• Participant requirements: 
  • 18-64 years old
  • Exclusion criteria: Individuals with visual impairments, audio impairments, balance impairments, or medical implants
• Remuneration: $20 Amazon gift card
• Attachments: Recruitment poster

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Waterloo Research Ethics Committee, ORE #47663.

Sjögren’s disease (SjD) is a rare autoimmune disease that causes patients to suffer from severe dry eyes. The dry eye is often dismissed or confused with typical dry eye disease. Currently, there are no tools or methods for doctors to tell these two types of dry eye apart quickly and accurately. This results in a prolonged diagnosis time or misdiagnosis of SS patients that delays their treatment. The goal of this study is to differentiate between SjD-related dry eye and typical dry eye using cathepsin S, cystatin C, lysosome associated membrane proteins 1 (LAMP1) and LAMP3 the ocular surface cells. This study will be beneficial in deepening the understanding of SjD and for a shorter time-to diagnose for SjD

• Format: In-person
• Method: Ocular surface evaluation and collection of cells on the surface of your eyes. A numbing eye drop will be used for the collection.
• Length: 1 hour
• Participant requirements: 
  • Minimum 18 years of age
  • Experience severe dry eye, OR has a known diagnosis of Sjögren's disease
• Remuneration: $20
• Attachments: Consent form