Introduction

The FSW scientists work together in labs with state-of-the-art hardware and software. To ensure the FSW lab spaces are used in a correct way and to make the best possible use of the available lab space, the lab coordinators and SOLO Research and Lab Support work in close collaboration. Researchers also have some responsibilities when using the labs. Please read those rules, guidelines, and practical information carefully.

Before you start

Before using a lab, you (or your supervisor in case of students) have to contact  the labmanager. Together you will check what kind of lab, hardware and/or software you need. The lab manager also checks whether you have the skills to run your study. This is necessary to protect the participant and the researcher, but also to get clean and valuable data. If you need additional training, this should be provided by your principal investigator, your lab coordinator, or -only when they both are not capable- by SOLO Research and Lab Support.

Adapting labs

It is important for the labmanager to be made aware of everything that occurs in and around the labs. The lab technicians will only implement adaptions to the lab after consultation with the labmanager. 

• Certain choices made by one researcher can also have an impact on others, for example, installing software on a lab PC. This could affect other programs on that PC, which may in turn affect data collection in another study.
• Problems that a researcher may encounter could also affect others. In that case, a joint solution could be found.

Reserving lab space

When your labmanager provides you with a lab and equipment, and you have approval from one of the ethics committees and your data mamagement plan is agreed, you can book your lab. Bookings have to be made via the SSH lab booking tool. SOLO uses the calendar to check whether needed lab or building adaptations can be planned. Also other researchers can check the availability of the labs so all labs can be used optimally. Because of this don’t use the “All Day Event” when booking the lab but use “Recurrence” instead.

Recruiting participants

When your study is approved by the ethics committee and your lab space and equipment is available, you can start to recruit students and/or other volunteers to participate in your study. When credits have to be awarded to the students you have to make use of SONA. You can also flyer or hang advertisements on the notice boards. It is not allowed to put this information on the lab doors or in the information frames.

General lab preparations

Please follow the Research Checklist.

Each lab should be neat, tidy and organized. This also means that there must not be any trailing, dangling wires or consent forms when you enter or leave the room.

Before the participant comes in, use the checklist to ensure that all preparations are complete. As soon as you are ready, you can receive the participant and carry out the study. Ensure that you continue to work hygienically and safely throughout the study. 

At the end of your research day, you must tidy up the lab and store all the equipment used, switch off the devices, and clean all reusable items that have come into contact with the participant. The tables and chairs must also be wiped with a cleaning cloth again. Ensure that no personal data is left behind on the computers in the lab.

Lab supplies

The most common disposables such as electrodes, gloves, tissues, NuPrep, etc. are available at the SOLO helpdesk in the Agora room 1B11 or SSH helpdesk in Sylvius room 2.5.01 (see Lab Supplies for all disposables that are in stock). All other materials have to be ordered. 

Placing orders:

• To streamline orders for the labs as much as possible the lab coordinator will collect the lab orders for all the researchers.
• Preferably, the orders will be placed by the lab technicians, so that they can oversee which equipment and products are being used. 
• The lab coordinator is informed by the technicians as soon as an order has arrived.

Furniture

The furniture in the laboratory should be easy to move and easy to (keep) clean. It should be made of wood (smooth, varnished), metal and/or plastic. The height of the researcher’s desk should be adjustable and the participant’s chair can have arm rests (if desired). 

• Furniture protocol