Using labs
Here are some general rules for using BSI and DCC labs.
Keys
There is valuable equipment in the labs. Therefore lab keys should be handled with caution. Researchers must keep the key with them at all times and do not lend it to others. Even when leaving the lab for a short while, all doors must be locked.
Noise
Within the DCC lab area, noise levels must be kept to a minimum. In consideration of your colleagues working in the labs, you are expected to speak softly and limit conversation with others. All mobile phones and pagers, of both experimenters and participants, should be switched off in the lab.
Food/drinks
Food is not allowed in the lab area, including candy for participants. Drinks are allowed for EEG-participants.
Equipment
Hardware
Without explicit authorization by the TSG, (re)moving hardware (computers, keyboards, mice, button boxes, electro-caps, furniture, etc.) is strictly prohibited! In case you want to change the technical setup in a lab, you have to discuss this in advance with the Lab Coordinator and/or a member of the TSG. The last registered user will be held responsible for any damaged or missing equipment. After conducting an experiment, the lab should be restored in its original state.
Software
Do not change any of the software settings installed on the Lab Computers. Do not install any programs unless explicitly authorized by the TSG. Software updates are performed on all lab computers simultaneously.
Your experiment scripts should be stored on data drive (D:\). Never run your scripts from a USB drive or network drive, as this can heavily impact performance.
Data
Always save experiment scripts and data on the data drive (D:\)! The C:\ drive will be wiped with every round of periodic maintenance. This can include the desktop and user folders.
Back up your data to a workgroup drive at the end of each day you're running the experiment. You can use Ruconnect for this (icon on desktop)
Never save your data to a network drive directly, as this can impact performance.
Lab supplies
In case there is a shortage of supplies, or if you need something that you cannot find in the lab, please contact the Lab Coordinator. Do not take supplies from other labs without consent from the lab coordinator, or (in absence of the lab coordinator) one of the TSG members.
DCC lab 'Buddy rule'
For reasons of general safety on both researchers as participants the DCC decided to implement a buddy rule for measurements outside office hours. Please respect this rule from now on.
Details on the rule can be found below or on the following intranet page: https://intranet.donders.ru.nl/index.php?id=4706
"buddy rule" experiments
Testing outside office hours, e.g. between 6pm and 9am, weekends and holidays can only be done when, next to the participant, at least two people are present, the so-called "buddy rule".
The “buddy rule” entails: • At all times during outside office hours, the experimental subject has to be supervised by the experimenter and one additional person (both with DCC-checked-in status). • The buddy should be present in the control room of the lab, or if the lab lacks such a room, it is allowed that the buddy stays in an adjacent room, of which the door is left open. • The buddy-system applies to ALL labs. • The experimenter is responsible for finding a buddy. • No buddy is needed if both the experimenter and the subject have a DCC-checked-in status. In this case both should be in the same room or in directly adjacent rooms with recording door left open, such that subject and researcher are not fully separated. In addition, it is the responsibility of the experimenter to make sure that safety-procedures are known to both experimenter and the subject. 6. Please note that for interventional studies, a buddy always needs to be present, also during office hours! (See also brain stimulation guidelines for TMS-specific rules, https://intranet.donders.ru.nl/index.php?id=4707)
The DCC is aware that this puts an extra claim on the time available to all of you. However, this rule has to be implemented for reasons of general safety on both the participant as well as the experimenter.