You should provide all relevant information to your participants prior to the scan.  This is done by forwarding documentation to them at least 24 hours before the scan (YNiC Full Consent forms, MEG/MRI participant leaflets etc). An example email to send to participants is available here; https://www.ynic.york.ac.uk/forms/DraftParticipantEmail.doc. If your participant has not taken part in a neuroimaging experiment at YNiC before you should attach to this email the Full Consent Forms, the Participant Registration form, and the MRI and MEG Participant Leaflets. The Participant Registration form needs to be returned to YNiC at least 48 Hours before the scan (please remember that completed participant forms must not be sent via email). The Consent Forms should be filled in by the participant in advance, if they are a new participant, and brought with them on the day of the scan. If the participant has already taken part in an imaging study at YNiC their consent forms are kept in a locked filing cabinet in the Administration office. Ask a member of YNiC staff for access to filed consent forms. The MEG/MRI Participant Leaflets are simply for informational purposes.

You need to review the study-specific consent form with your participant.  In addition to the YNiC consent forms, the RGC requires that you have a study-specific consent form. It is advised that your participant completes all forms at least 24 hours prior to the scan. On the day of the scan you should discuss all forms with your participant in the Interview Room before they enter the scan suite.

You need to review the YNiC Health and Safety and Consent forms with your participant.  The YNiC Full Consent Forms, and are available here; https://www.ynic.york.ac.uk/forms/FullConsentForms.pdf. Forms must be reviewed for all participants even if they have participated regularly. This review should be completed with the participant in the Interview Room, before the participant gets changed. It is imperative that these are not completed in Reception or Open Plan; the Consent Forms contain sensitive information that must be discussed in a private environment. Although completion of the consent forms is ultimately the responsibility of the scanner operator, it is highly desirable that the experimenter has reviewed the forms before the participant enters the scan suite. By reviewing the forms in advance, should there be any questions about the scan, or reasons why the scan cannot commence, then these issues can be dealt without losing precious time in the scan-suite. This makes the best use of everyone's time.

You should explain to participants the importance of de-metalling.  For both MRI and MEG scanning, participants must remove all ferromagnetic items. Should participants fail to do this there will be scan artefacts that may render the data useless. Moreover the participant could potentially be in danger. Typical items that need to be removed are highlighted in the Consent Form. To ensure participants have fully de-metalled, they are routinely asked to change into medical gowns. Note, some make-up contains ferromagnetic items, therefore you may wish to inform participants in advance that make-up also needs to be removed before scanning.

You should know the procedures for getting participants changed.  Participants must get changed into medical gowns in the changing rooms, and must be in suitably attired when in reception. Even if a participant is willing to change in the scan-suite, or anywhere else, they should be instructed to change in the changing rooms. There are dressing gowns that participants may wear in between the changing room and the scan-suite. Similarly, female participants should be informed that they may wear a cotton t-shirt, or equivalent, underneath the medical gowns.

You are responsible for your participant's behaviour in YNiC.  When you bring a participant, or anyone else, into YNiC you are responsible for their behaviour. YNiC is a clinical, as well as a research, facility. As such, your participant or guest must act in a manner appropriate for a clinical facility. In particular, please respect the fact the reception is a public space.

You should know how to book the interview room.  The Interview Room may be booked by filling in your name and project number on the door.

You should prepare your participant for the experimental paradigm if necessary.  Prior to the experimental scan, you can use the Interview Room to prepare the participant for your experimental paradigm. It is strongly advised that you do this in the Interview Room, rather the scan suite, so that you maximise your time and productivity in the scanner. Preparation may be in the form of either an information sheet, or practice trials on the Interview Room stimulus PC. The Interview Room may be booked by filling in the timetable on the Interview Room door.

You should know how much time in advance of the scan participants should arrive at YNiC (this is a minimum of 10 minutes).  During the pilot scan it will be agreed how much in advance of the scan your subject needs to arrive. This will be different for each study depending on how much training participants need for the specific paradigm. The minimum time to complete the Consent forms and allow time for the participants to change is 10 minutes.