Information for Parents and Guardians
Hello parents and guardians! We are the Imagination Research Group. We are a team of researchers within the Kent Child Development Unit based at the University of Kent, that work closely with children aged 0-18 to learn more about young minds.
In the Imagination Lab we examine and explore children’s thoughts and behaviour in a range of studies relating to imagination. Our current studies are focused on counterfactual thinking, reading comprehension, mental imagery, prosocial behaviour, and morality.
Here are some FAQs about getting your children involved with our research. If you have any questions that are not answered here, feel free to reach out at child@kent.ac.uk.
How can I sign my child/children up to current studies?
You can sign your children up to our Kent Child Development Unit Database to be contacted about current studies that they fit the criteria for. Signing up to this database means that you can be contacted via email about relevant studies conducted by any researcher within the Kent Child Development Unit, including members of our Imagination Research Group. You will not be emailed more than once a fortnight, and if you choose to sign your child up for a study you will not be emailed again for 2 months. Once signed up, you can log into the database whenever to add additional children or change your details – if you struggle with this please email us at child@kent.ac.uk so we can change the information for you. Follow this link to add your children to the database: https://child-studies.kent.ac.uk/singup
Once you have responded to an invitation for your child to participate, all relevant information about the study will be sent to you.
OR
If there is a specific study your child wishes to participate in, you can contact us via this email: child@kent.ac.uk
Please use “Imagination Studies” as the subject line in your email. You can also contact us here with any queries you have.
Additionally, for young people aged 11-18:
We work closely with Kent County Council to provide the Young Researcher Training programme which enables older children to learn about the research process and conduct their own studies, assisted by researchers from the University of Kent. It is a rare opportunity for curious young people to engage in furthering their education and experience. It is also a fantastic experience to put on applications for schools, colleges, jobs and universities.
Where do the studies take place?
Most of our research is conducted in the Kent Child Development Unit located at the University of Kent:
Keynes College
University of Kent
Canterbury
Kent
CT2 7NZ
Free parking is available just outside for the duration of your visit.
Other locations include but are not limited to:
– The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, 18 High St, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2RA
– Online via video call
– Various schools throughout Kent
What happens on the day?
Research conducted at the Kent Child Development Unit:
Before arriving at the University of Kent, make sure you have contacted/ been contacted by us to arrange a suitable date and time for you and your child to visit.
Upon arrival at Keynes College, you will be greeted by a researcher from our team and if travelling via car, will be guided to our designated free participant parking spaces on the right of the entrance to the car park. Our researcher will fill out a parking permit to place on your dashboard. If you are lost or have not been approached by a researcher, feel free to contact the researcher at the phone number they have provided, or on our main email (child@kent.ac.uk).
You and your child will then be accompanied to the KCDU waiting room, where your child can play, draw and become familiar with the environment, whilst the researcher discusses the study with you and your child, and assists you in filling out consent forms. On the “Information for Kids” page you can find an assent form, for your child to fill out either with you beforehand, or with us in the lab. This form is important to show that your child fully understands what they are doing and is comfortable participating. Children under the age of 16 cannot give informed consent, so assent forms are a way to determine willingness to participate, and work in conjunction with parental consent forms.
When your child is happy and ready to participate, the researcher will take them next door to the study room while you wait in the waiting room for them. From our experience, most children thoroughly enjoy our studies and ask to participate in future studies, so we do not expect them to want to stop the study early. However, if they wish to stop participating during the study or show signs of discomfort, we will return to you without finishing as their wellbeing is our top priority.
Once the study is complete, they will receive a certificate for their participation, so please let us know if they have visited us before so we can make sure they receive a different certificate design each time!
If you have other children that are not participating in the study, they can wait in the waiting room with you and play with any of our many toys.
Research conducted at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge:
We are occasionally based at The Beaney Museum in Canterbury on the main high street so you may come across our research desk on the second floor, however we do not have set dates that we visit the museum. If you do happen to visit on a day we are there, feel free to approach our desk – it’ll be clearly signposted with posters explaining what we are doing, and our researchers will be wearing University of Kent lanyards. Your child can participate in a quick study at the desk, while you sit beside them and fill out consent forms. Once the study is complete, they will receive a certificate and a small prize for their participation!
Research conducted in schools:
Our researchers are often on the lookout for schools willing to participate in their research. If your child’s school has chosen to get involved, you will be emailed by them with all the relevant information regarding participation. Children whose parents have given their consent, and that fit the criteria, will participate during their school day so this will not affect your schedule. Studies done at schools tend to be quite short, as to not interrupt their learning. Once the study is complete, they will receive a certificate for their participation!
Our experience
Our researchers are all highly trained and experienced in working with children. All researchers have clear, enhanced DBS checks.
All our studies have ethical approval and hence are not expected to cause children discomfort of any kind. Our studies are created to be fun and engaging, and in our experience most children ask to come and participate again! If you have any queries, feel free to reach out — we always welcome feedback!
Imagination Research Group 