What is it about?

Most of our studies are about children's language development. Occasionally we also study adults to use as a comparison point or to see how the communication development continues into adulthood.

How old are the children that participate?

We recruit families with typically developing children between 0 to 16 years of age. Most of our studies are for children between 0-5 years as that is where a lot of language development happens!

How long does the research take?

An appointment is usually up to 1 hour, to allow for time for your child to adjust to the new surroundings and for us to go through any questions you may have and some paperwork. The studies themselves typically take about 10 - 15 minutes.

What does a visit involve?

We will provide you with directions to parking or a bus stop close to the lab which is situated centrally on the University of Warwick campus. When you arrive your child will have time to settle in and play with our toys or do some colouring whilst we talk you through the study, answer any questions and help you fill in some paperwork. After the study we will tell you a little bit more about what we are looking for and give your child a certificate of participation.

What happens in a study?

We run a variety of different studies that may involve looking at pictures or videos, listening to sounds or sentences, or describing pictures. All our studies are designed to be fun for children but you or your child are free to stop at any time. You will stay with your child at all times during a study.

Can I bring my other children?

Absolutely – we have a toy-filled reception area that they can play, read or draw in whilst your other child completes the study. We will ensure that an experienced research assistant is available to sibling-sit or you are welcome to bring another adult. There is an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities close to the lab.

How do I get there?

We are located in the Department of Psychology, which is in the Humanities Building, on the Univeristy of Warwick campus. For Sat Nav, our address is University Road, with postcode CV4 7AL. Here is a link to Google MapsLink opens in a new window showing the exact location of our parking spaces and facilities.

Are there car parking facilities available and will it cost me?

We have two parking spaces available for visiting families, which are located right outside our facilities. A researcher will ask you for your car model make and registration number before your appointment, and we will cover any parking expenses for the duration of your visit.

How do I get from the car park to the lab?

A member of our team will meet you at the designated parking spaces. We try to be there about 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Please email us if you are experiencing delays. It takes less than a minute to walk from the parking space to our facilities, and the walk is push-chair friendly.

What happens to my child's data?

All our data is anonymised and your child will be identified only with an arbitrary ID number when we store and analyse the data. We will not present results in the way a child can be identified at conferences and in journals. Our participant database with your contact details is kept confidential to Wa.R.Ks group researchers. The lab adheres to the British Psychological Society's ethics standards, and has ethics approval from the University. All the Wa.R.Ks group members have cleared an enhanced DBS check.

Where can I read about the research findings?

We post regular updates about child development research and new studies on our Facebook page. Please follow or like us on Facebook if you would like to receive updates about our latest findings.