Volunteer for important research projects

Volunteer, and make a difference

Griffith is one of Australia's leading research universities. Our staff and students undertake research projects to better understand the world, improve people's lives and make a societal impact.

Each month, we publish a list of research projects or surveys and ask our staff, student and alumni community to participate.

Griffith is committed to the conduct of ethical research. We conduct research in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). The research ethics and integrity service is managed by the Office for Research in conjunction with the Human Research Ethics Committee.

If you have any questions or concerns about the ethical issues of a project listed here, contact the Griffith University Research Ethics & Integrity team on 3735 5585 or research-ethics@griffith.edu.au. There is more information available on the Research Ethics, Integrity and Compliance website.

If you want to invite Griffith staff, students. alumni or HDR students to take part in your research, please submit an application to conduct research.

Current research projects

The Volunteer for Important Research Projects broadcast is released monthly, January to November.

Volunteers are continuously being sought to participate in a range of studies.

If you are interested in participating, please read through the eligibility requirements and apply using the relevant link in the study.

Filter research projects

Research NEW	The effects of AI usage on student academic engagement
Types of volunteers	University students.
Description	This research explores the impact of generative AI use on academic engagement, both positive and negative. This study investigates students' perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in learning, focusing on their impact on student engagement and disaffection. Utilising the Engagement vs. Disaffection with Learning (EvsD) framework and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the research explores how perceived usefulness, autonomy, and reliance on AI influence a student's learning experiences.
What is required and how long will it take?	Students are asked to complete a short 5-minute survey.
Incentive
Apply	Participate in this study.
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2024/846

Research	Exploring Temperature Impact in Virtual Reality
Types of volunteers	All Griffith University students and staff over the age of 18 years old are eligible to volunteer for the study. However, only people with normal or corrected (with contact lenses) vision can participate as the use of glasses in head-mounted displays (HMDs) is difficult. Other exclusions are people with cold or flu symptoms, people without stereo vision, women who are pregnant or people known to suffer from conditions that might be aggravated by wearing a head-mounted display, such as vertigo, claustrophobia or epilepsy.
Description	The purpose of the research is to explore temperate changes when users experience cybersickness, which is like motion sickness. From the information collected in this research we will evaluate temperature as a pre-warning indicator of cybersickness when users are experiencing a virtual reality (VR) roller-coaster.
What is required and how long will it take?	The experiment will be conducted at Nathan campus. Participants will complete a demographic questionnaire, a motion sickness experience questionnaire, a reaction time test and have their temperature measured. They will ride a virtual reality roller-coaster in a head mounted display and verbally provide their comfort level every minute while their temperature is measured. Participants can stop the ride at any time with the maximum ride time of 15 minutes. Participants will complete another reaction time test, have their temperature measured and complete a questionnaire on their VR experience. The full session will take 50-60 mintues.
Incentive	Participants who complete the VR session will be provided with a $60 supermarket gift voucher for their time.
Apply	Email Shamus Smith at shamus.smith@griffith.edu.au for more information.
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2023/785

Research	Exploring personality traits and their influence on cyberbullying bystander behaviours
Types of volunteers	Adults aged 18 years or over and active on social media.
Description	The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between dark personality traits and cyberbullying bystander roles. The study will also look into the moderating role of light personality and compassionate empathy in the relationship between dark personality traits and cyberbullying bystander roles.
What is required and how long will it take?	Participants are required to complete a 15-20 minute long online survey.
Incentive	Participants will be awarded 0.5 course credit or have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win 1 of 4 $20 gift card.
Apply	Participate in this study.
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2024/751

Research	Identifying and Diagnosing Depression in Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Study on Professional Practices
Types of volunteers	Australian psychologists, psychiatrists and mental healthcare workers with experience in diagnosing or treating depression in autistic adults.
Description	Accurately identifying and diagnosing depression in autistic adults presents considerable challenges in mental health practice, particularly due to limited research and the absence of validated assessment tools. This study seeks to address these gaps by examining practitioners' insights into their assessment practices within the Australian context. It explores practitioners' observations and experiences regarding the presentation of depression in autistic adults, aiming to enhance understanding and refine diagnostic approaches. The ultimate goal is to improve clinical recognition and diagnosis of depression in this population.
What is required and how long will it take?	Participants will be asked to complete an online interview, where they will be asked to share their observations, assessment practices and diagnostic approaches for depression in autistic adults. The interview will explore the symptoms observed when evaluating depression and the types of information you gather during the diagnostic process.
Incentive	$50 Wish Gift Card
Apply	For more information, contact Emma Hinze at emma.hinze@griffithuni.edu.au. Participate in this study.
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2023/706

Research	Diversity Management in the Era of Workplace Digitalisation
Types of volunteers	Managers and employees in Australian knowledge-based organisations, who use digital technologies to conduct their work (e.g., for communication, collaboration, learning and development, etc.)
Description	This research project will examine the influence of digital technology on employees' perceptions of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) climate in Australian organisations. The rapid integration of digital technology in workplaces has transformed communication, collaboration, and participation, making it crucial to understand how digital technologies influence the EDIB climate for employees. This study aims to explore and identify the specific ways in which digital tools and technologies can affect the perceptions of EDIB climate, providing actionable insights for organisations to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment.
What is required and how long will it take?	The participants will be asked to take part in interview over MS Teams, which would last 30-45 mins.
Incentive	While it would provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on their experiences with work and digital technologies, and also learn about the findings of the research once completed, it is hoped that the results of the study will inform policy and practices, fostering more inclusive organisations for a diverse workforce in Australia’s digitalised workplace landscape.
Apply	For further information, contact Arash Mashhady (arash.mashhady@griffithuni.edu.au).
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2024/505