Running Your Experiment

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[edit] Consent Forms and Participant Confidentiality

  • ALL participants must sign TWO copies of the consent form. They keep one copy and you keep one copy.
  • ALL consent forms for ALL studies must be locked up in the drawers beside the storage cupboard. The consent form drawer key is kept in a combination lockbox.
  • There MUST NOT be a link between the participant number and name. In other words, you cannot write the participant number on the consent form, nor have a file/sheet which records the participant's name AND number. This is to protect participant confidentiality, even the experimenter does not get to know which data are from which participant. All computer data should only use the participant number.


These points must be followed. If the ethics committee were to audit our lab and find we're not adhering to these protocols, they can shut down our research.


[edit] Participant Rights

  • If you are running an experiment that includes sensitive materials, such as viewing disgusting or erotic photos from the IAPS, you must ensure that participants understand the types of photos they will be viewing. This will be explained on the consent form, but you should also make sure to explain it to the participants orally.
  • Participants are allowed to quit the study at any time, for any reason, without any penalty (i.e., they will still receive their credit or cash payment). No one should EVER feel as though they have to continue participating in a study if they don’t want to.


[edit] About the Testing Rooms


[edit] An Experiment Protocol

Each study should have its own protocol outlining the step-by-step process of running the study, which you should follow exactly, adding details if necessary, and addressing problems immediately if they arise. One possible protocol is as follows:

  1. Print out the list of scheduled students so that you have their student numbers and emails handy
  2. Arrive 15 minutes before a session
  3. Ensure you have copies of all necessary forms for all participants you have scheduled in a day
  4. Give the participants TWO copies of the consent form
  5. After the participant has read the consent form, ask if they have any questions
  6. If not, ask them to sign and date both copies
  7. They keep one copy, and you keep one copy
  8. Give the participants the instructions for the experiment and run them according to the study protocol
  9. After the session debrief the participant
  10. Give each participant a debriefing sheet
  11. Answer any questions they have about the experiment
  12. Give them the PSY100 Question
  13. If they get the question right, they receive credit; if not, ask them to re-read the debriefing and ask a new question
  14. Before a participant leaves he/she should have:
    1. A signed copy of their consent form
    2. A PSY100 Receipt
  15. Tell the participant to save the receipt until they have received credit on the PSY100 website. If they do not receive credit in three weeks they should take the receipt to the PSY100 office


[edit] Study Materials

  • Store all your materials in the cabinets below the white boards in the lab. It is your responsibility to keep your files organized.
  • You can use the photocopiers on the 4th floor (copy room or mailbox room) to make copies of study materials. Ask the lab manager for the copy code and DO NOT give this number out or use the copiers for personal use.
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