A practical guide for studying human behavior in the lab

Abstract

This primer introduces best practices for designing behavioral experiments, data collection, analysis, and sharing, as well as research ethics and subject care, to beginners and experienced researchers from diverse backgrounds. Organized by topics and frequent questions, this piece provides an accessible overview for those who are embarking on their first journey in the field of human behavioral neuroscience.

Improving the Reliability of Cognitive Task Measures: A Narrative Review

“…(Clear instructions may also work to ensure the validity of an experiment by discouraging participants from using strategies not of interest to the experimenter.) In their "10 simple rules" paper for designing cognitive experiments [57], Barbosa and colleagues provide practical suggestions for writing task instructions. When adapting a task for a new population, experimenters should ensure that the instructions are still appropriate.…”