MAPS LAB

at the University of Delaware



Research

We are actively recruiting for the Time2Learn and Speech-Motor Learning studies! Check out the information below!

Our lab is offering in-person and hybrid studies. If you participate in an fMRI study, you can request pictures of your brain. If you participate in the Time2Learn study, you can request a copy of your standardized test scores. Click on any one of the sign up buttons below to sign up for that study. We would love to have you participate in one of our studies!

Time2Learn Study

Type: Hybrid

Description: We are conducting a week-long experiment into how learning speech sounds at different times of day affects memory retention. This study has two parts. The first is a three-hour language assessment conducted 1:1 with a test administrator over Zoom. The second is a one-week speech training where participants will come into our lab on a Sunday, pick up our computer equipment which they will use to complete the perceptual experiments during the week, and then return to the lab the following Sunday for an EEG/ERP session.

Total Time: 6-7 hours across both parts

Compensation: $120-$130 upon completion of the study

In order to participate you must be: 

  • 18-55 years old 
  • Typical hearing and vision (or corrected to normal)
  • Native speaker of English
  • Have access to a device with adequate internet and a quiet space
  • Have no history of major neurological injury

      Speech-Motor Learning Study

      Type: Hybrid

      Description: We are conducting a 2-part study (online and fMRI) examining speech-motor learning. We train individuals on a novel set of speech sounds and evaluate their speech production performance in the scanner.

      Total Time: 2-2.5 hours across both parts

      Compensation: $20-$25 upon completion of the study

      In order to participate you must be: 

      • 18-24 years old 
      • Typical hearing and vision 
      • No history of neurological disorder 
      • No history of socio-emotional, attentional, or cognitive impairment
      • Must pass the MRI safety screening 

          PLMC Study 

          Type: In-person

          Description: We are conducting an fMRI study investigating a memory-based account of atypical speech perception in adults with a language-based learning disability otherwise known as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). We are interested in the contribution of sleep on different types of learning, as may be predictive of language and reading abilities.

          Total Time: 4.5-5 hours

          Compensation: $45-$50

          In order to participate, you must be: 

          • 18-24 years old 
          • Monolingual speaker of English 
          • Typical hearing & vision
          • No history of neurological disorder
          • No history of socio-emotional, attentional or cognitive impairment
          • Must pass the MRI safety screening 

          PLMC: Dyslexia Study

          Type: In-person

          Description: We are conducting a two-part study on individuals with a diagnosis of dyslexia to investigate whether sleep contributes to their ability to perceive, learn, and consolidate the information they are presented. This study begins with an evening session around 7-8 PM, followed by a morning session 12 hours later (around 7-8 AM).

          Total Time: 4 hours across both parts

          Compensation: $10 per hour (about $40 total)

          In order to participate, you must: 

          • Be 18-25 years old

          • Have a diagnosis of dyslexia (a history of BOTH ADHD and dyslexia is also permitted)

          • Be a monolingual speaker of English

          • Have typical hearing & vision

          • Have no history of socio-emotional or cognitive impairments

          • Have no history of neurological disorder

          Nap2Learn Study

          Type: In-person

          Description: We are conducting a study investigating the role of sleep on learning new speech sounds. We train individuals in a new set of speech sounds, and then have them take a nap in our lab while we record their sleep quality via polysomnography. We also obtain language and reading performance measures, as potential influences on speech sound learning beyond sleep quality. The study will be conducted during one session from 12-5 pm. 

          (Note: We are currently only recruiting participants with a history of language disorder for this study.)

          Total Time: 5 hours

          Compensation: $50

          In order to participate, you must be: 

          • 18-24 years old 
          • Monolingual speaker of English 
          • Typical hearing & vision
          • No history of neurological disorder
          • No history of socio-emotional, attentional or cognitive impairment