Where do studies take place?
Most studies take place on the University of Waterloo's main campus, although some do take place at the School of Pharmacy in Kitchener or other places across Kitchener-Waterloo. The details for each study will be explained by the researcher who contacts you.
Will there be parking or transportation for me?
The availability of parking and transportation changes on a per-study basis. Be sure to confirm details with the researcher who contacts you.
What happens to my data?
Group data will be analysed statistically and reported in papers, conference posters, and science presentations. Your personal identity will never be revealed or shared with non-researchers.
How long are the studies?
Studies take on average 1 to 3 hours to complete. It varies depending on the type of study being conducted.
Will I be paid for participating?
Most studies offer roughly $15/hour to participants, in appreciation of the time commitment. This may vary. Not all labs offer payment for participation, some offer gift cards or chances to win a prize, while others simply provide the opportunity for volunteer participation.
How often will I be contacted?
You may be called as often as once a month. During peak data collection times, some participants may receive as many as 2 or 3 calls in a month. At other times it may be several months in between phone calls.
How often you will be called depends on the number of participants needed for the various studies. Even when you have not been called for a while, your name will stay in our database for future studies. We will share newsletters with you periodically via email, or our website.
Will I be told how I did on tests?
The purpose of the study will be explained to you at the end of the study. Group (rather than individual) results are communicated to participants upon request, at study completion. Our newsletter also contains summaries of selected studies.
What are the risks involved?
You will be informed in advance if there are any potential risks associated with a study. Your decision to take part in a given study does not impact your eligibility to participate in future studies. However, we assure you that all studies offered through WRAP have received approval from the University of Waterloo's Office of Research Ethics. Whether or not you choose to participate in a study is up to you.
How will my personal information be protected?
All personal information is kept strictly confidential in a database that is always password protected. Only research staff associated with the Waterloo Research in Aging Participants Pool (or the particular study that you completed) will ever have access to your information.