Current Studies

The EITA Research Lab is always looking for participants in a wide variety of studies. Any studies currently running that require participants will be added to this page. Please reach out to the appropriate researcher if you are interested in taking part.

Flyer advertising a study
Flyer advertising a study

Co-Design of an Emotion Knowledge Learning Tool for Children

Principal Investigators: Prof. Moojan Ghafurian  

Co-Principal Investigators: Prof. Elizabeth Nilsen 

Student Investigators: Andrea Chakma 

The Emotionally Intelligent and Trustworthy Agents Research Lab is looking for volunteers to take part in a study that aims to provide comments and support the development of a series of games for emotion knowledge training in children using social robots. As a participant, you will be taking part in up to three focus groups and/or individual interviews, speaking about your experience working with children in this field and providing feedback and insights on game design using social robots. The sessions are ordered as follows: focus group, individual interview, and focus group. Each session will take up to one hour and will be scheduled on separate days. Participants must follow the order of the sessions as outlined but are able to leave the study between each group if they wish. The sessions are organized so that designs can be improved throughout the study, and feedback can be incorporated accordingly 

In appreciation of your time, you will be offered the opportunity to be involved and contribute to the publications related specifically to the findings of the work in this study as an author. You will also be entered in a draw for two $250 gift cards. The number of entries is based on the number of sessions completed with a maximum odds of winning being 1 in 30.

The inclusion criteria for the study are: 

  • Participants must have at least three months or the equivalent of full-time experience working directly with children in supporting behavioural, emotional, and social challenges. 

  • Participants should possess a certification or degree in the area (i.e., Psychology, Early Childhood Development, etc.).  

OR  

  • Graduate students who are enrolled in a clinical psychology program and are specializing in child psychology.  

Please refer to the attached consent form for more detailed information regarding participation. For more information or to sign up for this study, please reach out to Andrea Chakma, PhD student in Systems Design Engineering, andrea.chakma@uwaterloo.ca. This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board. 

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board (REB #47966). If you have questions for the Board, contact the Office of Research Ethics, toll-free at 1-833-643-2379 (Canada and USA), 1-519-888-4440, or reb@uwaterloo.ca