Register now for BioSocial Methods ICPSR Summer Workshops
BioSocial Methods and the Research Center for Group Dynamics are proud to offer two ICPSR summer workshops in 2024: An introduction to psychophysiology, to explore the relationship between the human mind and body (hybrid) and a 3-day in-person session at the U-M HomeLab, where participants will learn to design and conduct research on human subjects in a simulated environment. The deadline to apply for ICPSR summer scholarships is Feb. 26, and UM graduate students may apply for funding to attend ISR summer programs from Rackham by March 4. Register for these workshops now while space is available! Visit the ICSPR Summer Workshops site and find the “Register Now” button at the bottom of the page.
Using Simulated Environments to Amplify Human-Centered Research Protocols
July 10, 2024 – July 12, 2024 (in-person only, University of Michigan), 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET (20 contact hours)
Alicia Carmichael, Richard Gonzalez, and Natalie Leonard, University of Michigan, RCGD
This workshop invites scholars to explore radically new ways to develop protocols for human subjects using simulation techniques paired with Human-Centered Design principles. Simulation using real, lifelike environments is an increasingly common tool in many fields – medical simulators, driving simulators, flight simulators, etc. The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research offers a rare opportunity to explore protocol development within a lifelike environment through the U-M HomeLab. Participants will delve into the essentials of effective protocol design, blending logic, technical skill, creativity, and empathy. Through hands-on activities in the HomeLab and a simulated clinic space, attendees will uncover the intricate dynamics between people, technology, and the environment, and learn how protocols influence these interactions. This workshop equips participants with a diverse toolkit for protocol development, including simulation, journey mapping, and empathy mapping, empowering them to enhance both the human experience and data quality in research protocols.
Please note this workshop is offered in-person only.
Note: Fictional case studies will guide learning, with ample opportunity for attendees to address their own protocol design challenges through collaborative problem-solving.
Intended audience: Geared towards students and researchers engaged in primary data collection, this workshop offers valuable insights for protocol designers and support staff alike. (No prerequisites).
Fee: ICPSR Member – $1600; ICPSR Non-member – $2900
July 31, 2024 – August 2, 2024, Hybrid (Online or in-person at the University of Michigan), 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET (20 contact hours)
Psychophysiology research explores the relationship between the human mind and the body: how they interact with and influence each other. Psychophysiological data is increasingly accessible and pervasive within social science. This workshop provides foundational knowledge for critical thinking about this technology. The workshop will focus on three commonly used psychophysiological ‘channels’: electrocardiogram (EKG), photoplethysmography (PPG – Pulse Oximetry), and electrodermal activity (EDA or GSR – Galvanic Skin Response). Through a combination of lecture, hands-on activities, and small group discussion, learners will explore the biological underpinnings of these channels, essentials of data acquisition, and art of signal processing. In-person attendees and online attendees who participate synchronously (‘remote operators’) will have the opportunity to directly interact with a wide variety of sensor models that collect EKG, PPG, and EDA data. Learners will have the opportunity to compare both lab-grade and consumer-grade recording equipment. Free, open-source tools and scripts will be used for signal processing (R, Python, NeuroKit2). Contemporary issues in psychophysiology will be discussed, including the ongoing impacts of non-inclusivity in sensor research and potential solutions.
Intended audience: This workshop is intended for social science students and researchers with no prior psychophysiology experience. This course is meant for the true beginner.
Prerequisite: Signal processing will be carried out in R and Python (NeuroKit2): Previous experience with the R, Python, or similar is helpful, but all the necessary code and support will be provided.
Fee: ICPSR Member – $1600; ICPSR Non-member – $2900
