Student Projects¶
The Neural Cognitive Mapping (NCM) Lab at the University of Ottawa offers student research projects related to the 3C Platform. Projects are available for undergraduates through CSI 4900, PSY 4276, or HSS 4901 course credit.
If you are interested in contributing, contact Jason Steffener.
High priority¶
Automatic scoring of paper-based questionnaires¶
Many validated clinical instruments were originally designed for paper administration. This project implements SDAPS — an open-source optical mark recognition tool — into the 3C Platform so that completed paper forms can be scanned and scored automatically alongside digitally administered assessments.
Skills useful: Python, image processing, Linux shell
Integration of 3C Platform results into REDCap¶
REDCap is the most widely used research data management system in clinical research. This project builds a bridge between JATOS result exports and REDCap so that 3C Platform scores flow directly into a researcher's REDCap project without manual data entry.
Skills useful: JavaScript or Python, REST APIs, JSON
Lower priority¶
Additional continuous performance cognitive tasks¶
Continuous performance tasks (CPTs) measure sustained attention over several minutes of repetitive stimuli. The platform currently includes discrete trials; this project identifies validated CPT paradigms from the literature and implements them within the jsPsych framework used by the 3C Platform.
Skills useful: JavaScript, jsPsych, cognitive neuroscience background helpful
Cognitive screening based on speech and language analysis¶
Subtle changes in speech fluency, word-finding, and sentence structure are increasingly recognised as early markers of cognitive decline. This project surveys the current literature and implements speech or language analysis tools — potentially using large language models — that can be integrated as a scoring layer on top of the platform's existing speech-recognition response type.
Skills useful: Python, NLP / LLMs, signal processing or linguistics background helpful
When is enough, enough? — Adaptive stopping criteria¶
Adaptive tasks (digit span, delayed match-to-sample) already adjust difficulty trial-by-trial. This project extends that logic to the battery level: defining criteria by which the platform can determine that sufficient data has been collected and offer an early-exit path, reducing burden on participants who are clearly above or below a threshold.
Skills useful: JavaScript, psychometrics or statistics background helpful
How to apply
Reach out directly to Jason Steffener with a brief description of your background and which project interests you. Include your program, year, and which course credit you would be registering under.