FAQ - For Members

Member Anna Corideo
at the Brain Imaging Center
Photo by Paul Haller

I'm already a member of the RSVP. How do I sign-up to be considered for new studies?

1) Click

This shows you all of the studies which are currently seeking RSVP volunteers. They're listed with the newest ones at the top.

2) Next, just click on the check box next to each study that you're interested in, enter your RSVP ID and the email address that you registered with.

3) Finally, click on the submit button. Your profile information will be sent to each researcher whose study you selected. If you look like a good fit for a study, you will be contacted and given more information.

What are your expectations for an RSVP volunteer?

Currently, you must be over the age of 18 to register with us. If you agree to participate in a study, we also expect that you will arrive on time and let us know if you need to reschedule or cancel. Consistently reliable volunteers are much more likely to be invited back to participate in additional studies.

Since we list studies for many different labs and researchers, the requirements for each will vary. If you are contacted for a particular study you will have a chance to discuss the details with the responsible researcher before agreeing to participate.

I think I've already signed up for a lot of your "New Studies". Why are they being re-posted?

These actually are all new studies. However, you probably did sign up for similar studies within these labs which is why it seems that way. Every lab has a specialty area so there's a lot of overlap in the kind of questions that they ask and studies that they design. Also, some of these studies are "pilots" which means they are small studies that test to see how well the experiment design works before doing a larger study with more people. A pilot study would be listed separately from the larger "optimized" study.

So, while they are new studies, you're right in the sense that you are may have already applied to help us out with the same "big" research questions(s).

I work during the week. Can I participate in studies on nights and weekends?

In most cases, yes. When you are contacted by a researcher about participating in a study you can discuss with them times that work with your schedule.

What qualifies as a psychological or psychiatric disorder?

Psychological or psychiatric disorders are disorders of cognitive and mental function. They range from behavioral disorders such as ADHD to disorders of mood such as bipolar disorder. These refer to anyone who has been diagnosed with such a disorder by either a physician or psychiatrist.

If you aren't sure about your own specific situation, when a researcher contacts you to participate in a study that specifies a disorder requirement, just let them know about your special circumstances. How strictly a requirement needs to be adhered to really depends on the study.

What exactly does "No psychoactive drug use" mean?

Psychoactive drugs are those that affect brain function; this includes recreational drugs as well medications for depression, epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, schizophrenia, OCD, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, narcolepsy, or pain.

Typically, exceptions are made for moderate caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, which are also psychoactive drugs.

I am interested in participating in the sleep-related studies. Where will they be held at?

Our sleep studies are held here at the UC Berkeley Campus. If you are invited to participate in one of these studies, the researcher who contacts you will give you additional details.

I've signed up for several studies and haven't been contacted by anyone. Is this common?

There are several reasons why you may not hear from us right away:

Some research projects ongoing and may be interviewing members who have applied to that study over a period of several weeks or months

A given study may be delayed for one or more reasons

Some studies receive more inquiries from qualified individuals than needed for a particular study. The sooner you respond to a new study announcement the more likely it is you will be chosen for a given study.

You may not be eligible for one or more of the studies that you indicated an interest in

Is the compensation that I receive for participating in a study reported to the IRS for tax purposes?

While all of our labs keep records of compensation payments for IRS review, it's up to you to report any payments you may receive.

Where do I find directions for Tolman Hall and the UC Berkeley Campus?

Tolman Hall (map)

The UC Berkeley Campus (map)

Parking on Campus (directions & map)

I broke some bones and now have metal screws and pins in my body. Can I still participate in fMRI studies?

Metal plates and pins would be okay in extremities if they were placed more than 6 months ago. You can NOT participate in fMRI studies if you have a Harrington rod in your spine; aneurism clips, metal plates or any sort of implants in brain, spine, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys.

However, fMRI is only one of the several techniques that we use. For most of our other studies, having metal pins and/or screws in your body would not necessarily exclude you from participating.

I have metal fillings in my teeth. Can I still participate in fMRI studies?

In most cases yes, it is safe for you to participate in an fMRI study. Most standard dental fillings are not affected by the magnetic field generated by the fMRI magnet. However, if you have any concerns be sure to discuss them with the researcher before agreeing to participate in an fMRI study.

Will any of these studies expose me to x-rays?

None of the studies that we currently list use x-rays. However, if you chose to participate in one of our fMRI studies you would be exposed to electromagnetic fields. The levels of energy used to make fMRI measurements are far less than are used in a single X-ray. However, you may be bothered by loud noises, peripheral stimulation, or claustrophobia while in the scanner. The technique has been used world-wide for 15 years and is safe, provided that certain guidelines are followed and study participants are adequately prepared.

I'd like to volunteer as a research assistant at a UC Berkeley research lab. How do I find out about opportunities?

Contact the specific lab(s) you are interested in working with. Click [HERE] to find psychology department labs that might have openings.

Questions? Contact