A practical guide for studying human behavior in the lab

Joao Barbosa; Heike Stein; Sam Zorowitz; Yael Niv; Christopher Summerfield; Salvador Soto-Faraco; Alexandre Hyafil

doi:10.3758/s13428-022-01793-9

A practical guide for studying human behavior in the lab

Joao Barbosa, Heike Stein, Sam Zorowitz, Yael Niv, Christopher Summerfield, Salvador Soto-Faraco, Alexandre Hyafil

Princeton University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

In the last few decades, the field of neuroscience has witnessed major technological advances that have allowed researchers to measure and control neural activity with great detail. Yet, behavioral experiments in humans remain an essential approach to investigate the mysteries of the mind. Their relatively modest technological and economic requisites make behavioral research an attractive and accessible experimental avenue for neuroscientists with very diverse backgrounds. However, like any experimental enterprise, it has its own inherent challenges that may pose practical hurdles, especially to less experienced behavioral researchers. Here, we aim at providing a practical guide for a steady walk through the workflow of a typical behavioral experiment with human subjects. This primer concerns the design of an experimental protocol, research ethics, and subject care, as well as best practices for data collection, analysis, and sharing. The goal is to provide clear instructions for both beginners and experienced researchers from diverse backgrounds in planning behavioral experiments.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	58-76
Number of pages	19
Journal	Behavior Research Methods
Volume	55
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-022-01793-9
State	Published - Jan 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
Psychology (miscellaneous)
General Psychology

Keywords

10 rules
Good practices
Human behavioral experiments
Open science
Study design

Access to Document

10.3758/s13428-022-01793-9

Cite this

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title = "A practical guide for studying human behavior in the lab",

abstract = "In the last few decades, the field of neuroscience has witnessed major technological advances that have allowed researchers to measure and control neural activity with great detail. Yet, behavioral experiments in humans remain an essential approach to investigate the mysteries of the mind. Their relatively modest technological and economic requisites make behavioral research an attractive and accessible experimental avenue for neuroscientists with very diverse backgrounds. However, like any experimental enterprise, it has its own inherent challenges that may pose practical hurdles, especially to less experienced behavioral researchers. Here, we aim at providing a practical guide for a steady walk through the workflow of a typical behavioral experiment with human subjects. This primer concerns the design of an experimental protocol, research ethics, and subject care, as well as best practices for data collection, analysis, and sharing. The goal is to provide clear instructions for both beginners and experienced researchers from diverse backgrounds in planning behavioral experiments.",

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author = "Joao Barbosa and Heike Stein and Sam Zorowitz and Yael Niv and Christopher Summerfield and Salvador Soto-Faraco and Alexandre Hyafil",

note = "Funding Information: The authors thank Daniel Linares for useful comments on the manuscript. The authors are supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC-2017-23231 to A.H.), the “la Caixa” Banking Foundation (Ref: LCF/BQ/IN17/11620008, H.S.), the European Union{\textquoteright}s Horizon 2020 Marie Sk{\l}odowska-Curie grant (Ref: 713673, H.S.), and the European Molecular Biology Organization (Ref: EMBO ALTF 471-2021, H.S.). JB was supported by the Fyssen Foundation and by the Bial Foundation (Ref: 356/18). S.S-F. is funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci{\'o}n (Ref: PID2019-108531GB-I00 AEI/FEDER), AGAUR Generalitat de Catalunya (Ref: 2017 SGR 1545), and the FEDER/ERFD Operative Programme for Catalunya 2014-2020. Funding Information: The authors thank Daniel Linares for useful comments on the manuscript. The authors are supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC-2017-23231 to A.H.), the “la Caixa” Banking Foundation (Ref: LCF/BQ/IN17/11620008, H.S.), the European Union{\textquoteright}s Horizon 2020 Marie Sk{\l}odowska-Curie grant (Ref: 713673, H.S.), and the European Molecular Biology Organization (Ref: EMBO ALTF 471-2021, H.S.). JB was supported by the Fyssen Foundation and by the Bial Foundation (Ref: 356/18). S.S-F. is funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci{\'o}n (Ref: PID2019-108531GB-I00 AEI/FEDER), AGAUR Generalitat de Catalunya (Ref: 2017 SGR 1545), and the FEDER/ERFD Operative Programme for Catalunya 2014-2020. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.",

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doi = "10.3758/s13428-022-01793-9",

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AU - Hyafil, Alexandre

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A practical guide for studying human behavior in the lab

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

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