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What is the SONA system?

SONA is the School of Psychology's research participation system. The SONA system allows students and staff to (i) participate in advertised (paid and point-based) studies and (ii) advertise their studies and recruit SONA users as participants. Staff can also act as Principal Investigators to gain oversight of studies that are being conducted under their supervision / management.

Benefits of using the SONA system

The SONA system provides opportunity to engage with our vibrant and active research culture in the School of Psychology, both as a participant and researcher.

Participating in research is a great way to find out about contemporary issues in psychological research, learn about staff and student research interests and expertise, and gain experience in leading edge methods being used in psychological research. If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student, this experience may help you to develop ideas and experience to help you conduct your own research project, for example, during your final year research project.

As a researcher, the SONA system provides a way to reach a large pool of participants. Please note that the SONA system participant pool is largely psychology students at Northumbria University. While this sample may be appropriate for many studies, especially for dissertation and thesis research projects, it may not suit all studies. It is strongly recommended that recruitment via the SONA system is complemented by recruitment via other methods.

Requirements to use the SONA system

If you are a current student, depending on your programme of study, you may be required to collect SONA points as part of your studies. For example, Level 4 BSc Psychology and BSc Psychology with Criminology students are required to collect SONA points as part of their PY0419 (Quantitative Psychological Laboratory Skills and Experience) module assessment. There may be other instances during your studies where a tutor asks you to use SONA outside of formal assessments as part of your learning activities.

Please visit the Guidance for Participants page to learn more about programme-related requirements to collect SONA points and how to use the SONA system as a participant: https://psychlabs.org/sona/participant.html

Accessing SONA

The SONA system can be used by everyone in the School of Psychology at Northumbria University. This includes all Foundation Year Students, Undergraduate Students, Postgraduate (inc. distance learning) Students, PhD Students, Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Assistants, Research Interns, Volunteer Research Assistants, and Staff.

You can access the SONA system here: https://northumbriapsychology.sona-systems.com. A screenshot of the site landing page is shown below.

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Acquiring a SONA account

To use the SONA system, you require a SONA account. The SONA system is linked to Northumbria University's Single Sign On (SSO) system, which means your SONA account will be linked to your Northumbria University account and you can log in using your Northumbria University email address and password.

To acquire a SONA account, visit the SONA site (https://northumbriapsychology.sona-systems.com) and click Northumbria University Log In. This should redirect you to a Northumbria University log in page. After you enter your Northumbria University email address and password, you should be redirected back to the SONA site.

If the system does not automatically create an account for you and log you in, click Request Account on the homepage to create an account.

If you are a staff member or experience challenges creating an account, please email the SONA administrator (hl.sona@northumbria.ac.uk).

SONA profiles: Participant vs. Researcher vs. Principal investigator

Participant

When you create a SONA account, a Participant profile will be a added to your account automatically. Your Participant profile allows you to participate in SONA studies, where you will be reimbursed with SONA points or a financial reward depending on the study.

Please visit the Guidance for Participants page to learn more about using the SONA system as a participant: https://psychlabs.org/sona/participant.html

Researcher

If you wish to advertise your study on SONA and recruit SONA users as participants, you will need a Researcher profile to be added to your account. This will allow you to offer participants SONA points or financial reward for participating in your research.

Note: financial rewards can only be offered where research funding supports the work, i.e., in no circumstances can personal finances be used to reimburse participants. If a financial reward is being offered, evidence of research funding (e.g., grant code) may be requested by the SONA administrator before your study can be advertised.

Please visit the Guidance for Researchers page to learn how to add a Researcher profile to your SONA account and advertise a study to SONA users: https://psychlabs.org/sona/researcher.html

Principal Investigator

If you are a staff member and require a Principal Investigator profile so that you have oversight of studies being conducted under your supervision / management, please email the SONA administrator and provide your staff email address and username (hl.sona@northumbria.ac.uk).

Please visit the Guidance for Principal Investigators page to learn how to use the SONA system as a Principal Investigator and gain oversight of the projects being conducted under your supervision / management: https://psychlabs.org/sona/principal_investigator.html

SONA contact

Please email the SONA administrator if you have questions about the SONA system (hl.sona@northumbria.ac.uk). The SONA administrator will respond within three working days, but complex queries may require more time to resolve.