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	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	This study aims to gather insights from practitioners about the identification and diagnosis of depression in autistic adults. It explores practitioners' observations and experiences to improve the understanding of how depression presents in this population and refine diagnostic approaches. The goal is to enhance clinical recognition and diagnosis of depression in autistic adults.
What is required and how long will it take?	Participating in this research study involves completing an online survey where you will share your assessment practices and diagnostic approaches for depression in autistic adults. The survey will explore the symptoms you observe when evaluating depression and the types of information you gather during the diagnostic process. This survey can take approximately 20 minutes to complete, depending on how many questions you answer and how much detail you want to provide.
Incentive
Apply	Participate in this study.
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2023/706

Research NEW	Management of small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (small WEEE) in Australia
Types of volunteers	The respondent must have replaced or repaired any small Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Australia.
Description	Small Electrical and Electronic Equipment is a major contributor to the electronic waste Stream in Australia. To effectively manage this waste stream, this survey aims to gather valuable insights from consumers regarding their experiences with these products, focusing on their lifespan, repair, reuse, and disposal practices.
What is required and how long will it take?	Participants will be asked to fill a set of questions which will not take more than 10 minutes
Incentive	After completing this survey, you will be given the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win one of five $100 Coles/Myer or JB HiFi eGiftcards.
Apply	If you have any questions, feedback or comments related to this project at any point, you can contact me via email gimhan.jayasiri@griffithuni.edu.au. Participate in this study.
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2023/864

Research NEW	Job and Study Demands and Resources of Working Students
Types of volunteers	University students aged 17-25 who are currently working at least part-time or casually during the trimester (2024).
Description	Our main research aim is to examine how the demands and resources at work and in their studies relate to the career development of university students engaged in paid employment alongside their studies.
What is required and how long will it take?	Participants will be asked to complete an online questionnaire (approximately 20 minutes).
Incentive	Participants can enter a draw to win one of five $50 Coles gift cards for completing the questionnaire.
Apply	To find out more information, please email randolfh.nerona@griffithuni.edu.au. Participate in this study.
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2023/733

Research	Exploring knowledge and perceptions around over-the-counter analgesics and how these determinants affect medicine choice and use by young adults within Australia
Types of volunteers	Young adults between 17-25 years of age, who reside in Australia.
Description	This study aims to investigate gaps in the understanding of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics among young adults between 17-25 years of age. OTC analgesics can be purchased without a prescription. While there is some research as to why young adults may choose to use OTC analgesics, there is limited information around the reasons for, and factors affecting, their use.  We want to know more about how young people in Australia choose and use OTC pain relievers via an online survey.
What is required and how long will it take?	Participants are required to complete a 15 minute survey.
Incentive	Survey participants are invited to enter a prize draw to win 1 of 20 grocery vouchers ($20 value).
Apply	Participate in this study.
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2019/915

Research	Cognitive Efficiency for Evaluating Impacts of Thermal Environment on Office Productivity
Types of volunteers	Targeted participants are staff, students, and alumni of Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology, as well as office workers from the greater Brisbane area. The criteria for participation in this project are as follows: • aged between 18 and 65 years old; • have experience of working in an office environment; • have normal or corrected-to-normal vision with no color-blindness; • no history of brain surgery, or medical illnesses that may significantly impair neurocognitive function. •No history of hospitalization due to heat stroke or heat-related illness. You will be asked to refrain from strenuous exercise and the consumption of alcohol, and tobacco during the 12-hour period prior to each session. You should consume sufficient water and food prior to your arrival to maintain proper hydration and glucose levels.
Description	This project is funded by the Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) DE230100451. The overall aim is to investigate the impact of indoor temperature on the productivity of office workers, evaluate how different job activities can influence this relationship, and develop a new technical guide for facilities managers to control thermal environments better suited to different job activities in commercial buildings. The outcome of this project will provide a rational basis for indoor thermal environment control to strike a delicate balance between office productivity and building energy efficiency.
What is required and how long will it take?	Five total visits are needed. The project will require a total of 13 hours of your time; this will be comprised of 12 hours of laboratory experiments conducted over the course of 4 separate experiment sessions, with each session lasting 3 hours, and one 1-hour long training session. All sessions of the study will be conducted in the Exercise Physiology Research Lab (G02, 2.44) at the Griffith University Gold Coast Campus.
Incentive	Upon the successful completion of all the aforementioned research activities, you will be granted either a cash payment of $300 or an Australia Post Gift Card of the same value ($250 for your participation and $50 reimbursement for your transportation expenses). If you want to withdraw from the study, you will be paid pro-rata based on the period of your participation.
Apply	If you have any questions, Sadia Israt Anam can be contacted by email sadia.anam@griffithuni.edu.au. Participate in this study.
HREC approval	GUHREC: 2023/893