Welcome to Project Ping!
Project Ping is research study at the University of Washington Department of Psychology. We are interested in learning more about how our mood and thoughts change throughout the course of a day. We are also interested in understanding how our interactions with others impact our mood and thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I participate?
You can be part of this study if you are an eligible participant between ages 18 and 65, live in the United States or its territories, and are willing to complete 5 surveys per day for two weeks on your smartphone. If you are interested in participating, .
What would I have to do if I am eligible?
You will first complete a one hour onboarding session over Zoom where you will take a baseline survey and be oriented to the study. Then you will receive five short surveys per day for two weeks on your smartphone.
Will there be compensation for my time?
Yes! You will be paid $25 for completing the one-hour onboarding session and up to $100 for completing the daily surveys. Thus, you can earn up to $125 for participating in this study. Payments will be provided via Amazon gift card.
How much time does it take?
The baseline appointment will take 1 hour to complete. After the baseline visit, you will complete 5 brief, 3-minute surveys on your smartphone everyday for 14 days. The daily surveys are sent randomly at 5 points throughout the day: 9:00am-11:30am, 11:30am-2:00pm, 2:00pm-4:30pm, 4:30pm-7:00pm, and 7:00pm-9:30pm.
What do you want to learn from this research?
Using the data that participants like you provide, we want to learn more about how people deal with feelings of loneliness and depression in real life. We also want to understand the impact that our daily interactions with others has on our mood. You will be asked questions about your current mood, your interactions with others, and some health-related behaviors such as sleep.
Is this study safe?
The study has been reviewed by the University of Washington's Institutional Review Board and is classified as minimal risk. However, we will ask you questions about your mood, social interactions, and mental health that may make you feel uncomfortable. Your confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us, and we will do everything we can to protect the data you provide.
Where can I learn more about this study?
You can learn more about the purpose, procedures, associated risks, and protections by reading the informed consent document. You can also email us at projectping@uw.edu if you have any questions.
About Us
Adam Kuczynski is the principal investigator of Project Ping and is currently a 6th year doctoral student at the University of Washington. He is interested in the impact of social relationships on mental health. You can contact Adam by emailing him at adamkucz@uw.edu.
Dr. Jonathan Kanter is the Director of the Center for the Science of Social Connection and a research associate professor at the University of Washington Department of Psychology. You can contact Dr. Kanter by emailing him at jonkan@uw.edu.