Frequently asked questions about taking part in our research.
Are you raising a child who grows up with more than one language? Families make our research possible. Below are the questions parents ask us most often. If yours is not answered here, please get in touch.
We study how children and adults who use more than one language learn, understand and process language. Our current work with children looks at how they pick up patterns in language and how they anticipate what is coming next while listening — and how these processes differ in children with a language impairment.
Two of our current studies work with children aged 4–8, including children with a diagnosed language impairment. A third study involves multilingual parents who have at least one child with a language impairment. You can see all of them on our Research page.
Children take part in game-like activities, either on a computer or together with a researcher — for example listening to short sequences, looking at pictures, or matching words. Some studies use eye-tracking, where a small camera below the screen records where your child looks. Nothing is attached to your child and there are no medical procedures.
Yes. All of our tasks are non-invasive and are designed to feel like play. A parent or caregiver is welcome to stay with the child throughout the session. Our studies are carried out in line with the research ethics requirements of İstanbul Medeniyet University.
It depends on the study. Some are designed for children who are still developing Turkish; others look for a particular combination of languages. Tell us which languages your child hears and speaks at home and we will let you know which study fits.
Yes — and for several of our studies this is exactly who we are looking for. Understanding how language develops in children with a language impairment, and how that interacts with growing up multilingual, is a central part of our work.
We arrange the time and place with you. Sessions with children are kept short and include breaks so that your child does not get tired. Before you agree to take part, we will tell you exactly what is involved and how long to expect.
Participation is voluntary. Some studies offer a small thank-you gift or a certificate of participation; where this applies, we will tell you when we invite you.
We share a summary of the study's overall findings with participating families.
However, MCDL is a research laboratory, not a clinic. Our tasks are built to answer research questions across groups of children and cannot be used to assess or diagnose an individual child. If you have concerns about your child's language development, please speak to a speech and language therapist or your paediatrician.
Your child's data is stored securely and kept separate from your name and contact details. Results are reported only in grouped, anonymised form in scientific publications and presentations. Your family is never identified.
Yes, at any point and without giving a reason — before, during or after the session. If you withdraw, we will not use your child's data.
Email us at contact@mcdl.edu with your child's age and the languages spoken at home, and we will get back to you about a suitable study.
