FAQ
What is the LABEX?
LABEX (Laboratory of Behavioural Experiments) is a research support service of the HEC Faculty at the University of Lausanne. Thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure, which includes eight laboratories, LABEX enables researchers to systematically study complex interactions between individuals under controlled conditions and in a variety of environments.
Who can use the LABEX facilities?
All HEC researchers are allowed to use the LABEX facilities for experiments with human participants. The facilities can however only be accessed upon reservation with the Lab Coordinator.
PhD students are also allowed to use the LABEX facilities, but need the agreement of their responsible professor to do so.
Where do I find information on the availability of the labs?
On the 'Conduct an experiment' section of the LABEX website, you will find the experiment calendar, which lists all lab bookings and pre-bookings.
Contact the lab coordinator to pre-book an experiment time slot.
What happens if there are no more timeslots left for my experiment?
The lab timeslots are assigned according to a first come, first served principle.
In case of conflict, priority is given to PhD students who are in their final year as well as to researchers who have a research fund that is soon to expire. If you are part of these priority groups, please immediately get in touch with the Lab Coordinator.
If you would like to run an experiment during the upcoming semester, but your desired lab is already entirely booked, nevertheless get in touch with the Lab Coordinator to inform her about your project. In case of project cancellations, a timeslot for your experiment might open up during the semester.
What conditions need to be met to run an experiment?
Before running any experiment with human participation, regardless of where (LABEX, Field or Online) and with whom (ORSEE vs. Non-ORSEE participants), an ethical, a financial, and a logistical submission need to be filled in by the researcher and approved by the relevant bodies. This means that the experiment has to:
- comply with HEC’s ethics standards;
- have enough budget available to pay participants;
- be logistically feasible.
To conduct an experiment in the LABEX facilities, a pre-reservation of the lab is necessary to make sure that the required lab will be available during the desired timeslot.
Detailed information with regards to the submission forms as well as on the pre-reservation of the labs can be found on the access restricted part of the LABEX website (to log in to the access restricted part of the website go to Home > on the right side of the page you will find a login button).
How long does the pre-experiment procedure take?
For lab experiments, you have to start the pre-experiment procedure four weeks before launching the experiment at the latest.
For online experiments, the pre-experiment procedure may be shorter in some cases. The approval of the Ethics Committee and Financial Services does however take minimum one week for each organ to process.
Detailed information with regards to submission deadlines can be found on the "Conduct an experiment" section of the LABEX website.
Where and how do I get research funds to run my experiment?
You will find detailed information on where and how to find funding opportunities for your experimental research on the HEC Lausanne website.
