Cutting edge research on how managers and consumers make decisions and interact
The Broad Behavioral Lab is a research facility designed to conduct cutting-edge research on how people make decisions and interact in a range of settings, from the workplace to the marketplace. The Lab allows Broad researchers to pursue MSU’s mission of advancing knowledge and transforming lives to expand human understanding and make a positive difference.
Directions to the Lab
The Broad Behavioral Lab is located in Eppley Room 4, on the ground level. From the entrance to the Broad complex on Bogue, turn left. From the ground level passage from the Minskoff Pavilion, turn right. Walk past the bathrooms and classrooms, and through the double door into Eppley. Once you’re in Eppley, turn left and the lab entrance is the first door on your left.
For participants
Participants in Broad’s Behavioral Lab are an important part of the scientific community because they help researchers answer important questions about how people work, make decisions, and interact with each other.
The Lab conducts a wide variety of different research studies. In one study, you might make decisions about which products to buy or how to invest your money. In another study, you might interact with other people to negotiate a deal or develop a new business plan.
For Researchers
Accessing & Reserving the Lab
Requesting Access
Researchers must first request physical access to the lab before reserving or using the lab. Please use the link below to request access.
Once you have been granted access, you will be able to enter the lab with your SpartanCard. There is a keycard reader next to the lab entrance. Authorized researchers can access the lab 24 hours per day with their SpartanCard (but you must have a reservation to use the lab)
Reserving the Lab
If you would like to reserve one or more of the lab spaces, please check availability on the lab calendar in Outlook by searching for the shared calendar: Broad.BCC.E4. Once you identify available dates and times, send a reservation request to Sue Polhamus (polhamus@broad.msu.edu) and Andrea Bates (batesan4@broad.msu.edu). They will add your reservation to the lab calendar and send a confirmation.
If you reserve the lab and your plans change, you must cancel your reservation in Outlook at least 24 hours before the start of your reservation (and ideally more). Unused lab reservations will be tracked and lab privileges may be revoked for repeated violations of the reservation policy.
Lab Facilities
The lab has three types of rooms that can be configured to meet the needs of specific studies (see floor plan below).
- Computer room. The computer room has 23 desktop computers where participants can complete studies on their own.
- The computers may be partitioned into separate carrels with privacy dividers when participants need to work individually. However, all tables are on wheels and the privacy dividers can be easily removed (no tools required) for collaborative studies.
- The computer room has a large wall-mounted monitor that researchers can use to introduce studies and provide instructions.
- Computers are loaded with a standard software suite, including Microsoft Office, web browsers (e.g., for access to Qualtrics), and z-Tree.
- Small team rooms. There are two small rooms that can hold up to five participants each. The rooms can be used for small group studies, interview studies, or when participants need to work on study materials in a private space. Each room has a table, chairs, and a wall-mounted monitor for collaboration.
- Flexible space. There is one open room that can be used for a variety of purposes.
- Researchers can set up auditorium-style seating to provide instructions to participants. The room also has tables (on wheels) and divider walls that can create three separate group workspaces. Alternatively, researchers can remove all furniture and set up a retail environment or exhibits in the room.
- The room has two large wall-mounted monitors that researchers can use to introduce studies and provide instructions.
There are seven high-resolution ceiling-mounted cameras throughout the lab complex with 360-degree viewing angles. Cameras are connected to a server with camera control and video storage capabilities.
In addition, the lab has a reception area to greet participants. The reception desk has a desktop computer. There is also a storage room with locked cabinets where researchers can temporarily store study materials while they run their studies. The storage room has a freezer maintained at -20C to store biospecimens.
Researcher FAQ
- What types of studies can be conducted in the lab?
- Who may reserve and use the lab?
- How do people get access to the lab?
- When is the lab available?
- How do I reserve the lab?
- What are the limits to lab reservations?
- What is the usage priority?
- How do I put files on the computers and retrieve files?
- Can I store research materials in the lab?
- What happens if researchers violate a policy?
Lab Policies
Reservations and usage
- All faculty and PhD students in the Broad College may reserve and use the lab. However, the lab is for research purposes only and may not be reserved or used for instructional purposes. Moreover, the lab is a not a general-purpose computer lab and should not be used for word processing, e-mail, statistical analysis, or other non-research applications.
- Lab reservations should be made and, if necessary, cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. This is to make sure all researchers have full visibility into lab availability and opportunities to reserve and use the facility.
- Lab reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Researchers can reserve any single room in the lab facility, or the entire facility, for a maximum of 40 hours per month. Additional time may be reserved no more than five days in advance if the lab is available.
Studies that may run in the lab
- All research conducted in the lab must be approved by MSU’s IRB.
- Faculty members associated with research projects (e.g., the PI listed on the IRB protocol) are ultimately responsible for everything that happens in the lab during a reservation.
- Researchers are responsible for recruiting and compensating their own participants in a manner consistent with the protocol approved by MSU’s IRB.
Security
- Lab security must maintained at all times. Only researchers and participants should be allowed into the lab, and only at the reserved times.
- The door should be kept locked when the lab is not in use.
Lab condition and storage
- All furniture should be returned to its original location at the end of the reservation.
- Researchers may store study materials in the lab while their study is running but must remove all materials when the study closes (i.e., at the end of the lab reservation).
- Any materials left in the lab after a study closes will be discarded or will become the property of the lab.
- Researchers are responsible for any damages to or theft of lab furniture and equipment during their reservation. Costs associated with repairing damage or replacing equipment will be charged to the faculty research budget or the faculty member’s department.
- Policy violations
- Policy violations will be reviewed and may result in lab privileges being revoked.
