All kinds of people can participate in research studies! Each study has its own rules, so you will not be able to join all studies, but you can probably find a study that you are able to participate in.
Why participate in research?
We do research to learn and answer questions. Research studies can help us learn how to help people be happier and healthier. Research can also show us if things work or how they work. You may not personally benefit from participating in a research study, but you will help answer important questions that could make people’s lives better.
“I want to help when I can because I am a helpful person and I like the incentives.”
How can I decide if I want to be in a research study?
Good question! there a lot of things to think about before joining a research study and you should ask lots of questions before you decide.
Some questions you might want to ask include:
- What are the researchers trying to learn from this study?
- How much time will participating in this study take?
- Will I have to travel?
- What will I be asked to do?
- Are there any benefits for me?
- Are there any risks?
- Will I get anything for participating?
- Who will see my information and what will they see?
- What will happen when the study is over?
- Who can I contact if I have questions or complaints?
- Will it cost me anything to participate?
Where can I find research studies to join?
CLICK HERE!
The TRE Research Center has three studies you might be able to participate in.
Click our logo to learn more about each study.
Outside Research Studies
Research studies happen all over the country and the world.
Click HERE to learn about some current studies in Colorado you might want to participate in.
Do you like participating in research studies? 
Would you like us to tell you when we have new research studies you can participate in?
If so, join our Research Participant Panel!
Research Definitions
Researchers often use unfamiliar words when they talk about research. Here are some words you might see when you read about research studies:
Consent – Before you join a research study, a researcher will tell you about the study and make sure you understand what you will be doing. The researcher will make sure you know that you do not have to join the study if you don’t want to. The researcher will also answer any questions you have. This process is called informed consent.
Assent – Assent is like consent. It means that you understand the research study and you agree to participate. If you have a guardian, you will assent and your guardian will consent. You assent because even if your guardian says it is okay for you to join a study, you still get to choose for yourself if you want to be in the study or not.
Participant – This is someone who joins a research study.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) – This is a group of people who make sure that a research study is safe and ethical.
Principle Investigator (PI) – This is the person in charge of the study.
Research Coordinator – This person helps the principal investigator run the research study.
Study objective – This is what the researchers want to learn from the study.
Randomized – Some studies put participants in groups. A randomized study is like flipping a coin. It means that there is a chance that you could be either group.
Incentive – Something you get for participating in research. Not all studies offer incentives.
Intervention – This is something that the researchers do or change to see if it has an effect.
Control – This means that the researchers do not do or change anything for this group. Researchers use a control group to see if there is a difference between the group that had the intervention and the one that did not.
