Getting Started with the Open Lab Platform

Welcome to the comprehensive documentation for the Open Lab platform! This guide is tailored for Researchers who will design and manage online studies, experiments, and participant data using the web-based researcher portal, as well as Participants who will interact with studies through the Open Lab participant web application. Whether you are conducting academic research, behavioral experiments, or collaborative projects, this documentation will guide you through every step, from account creation to data analysis. For detailed instructions on using the Open Lab participant site, refer to the Participant Guide.

The Open Lab platform empowers researchers to collect rich datasets by combining interactive experiments (built with lab.js) with active user inputs (e.g., survey responses, tasks). With features like study flow customization, collaboration tools, end-to-end encryption, and real-time data visualization, Open Lab streamlines the research process while ensuring data security and participant privacy. The platform is integrated with lab.js for experiment building (more info at https://lab.js.org/).

Key Features of the Open Lab Platform

The Open Lab platform offers a robust set of tools to support your research needs. Below are the core features that make it a powerful choice for web-based studies:

  • Interactive Experiment Building: Design experiments and surveys using lab.js, upload them as JSON files, and customize for your study flow, including randomization for between-subjects designs.
  • Collaboration Tools: Create a social network for researchers, present projects, find collaborators, and share access to studies for joint editing.
  • End-to-End Encrypted Data Storage: Ensure data security with server-side encryption and GDPR-compliant storage on servers in Germany.
  • Real-Time Data Dashboards: Visualize and analyze participant data through customizable dashboards, accessible directly from the researcher portal.

These features are integrated into a user-friendly interface, making it easy to set up complex studies while maintaining control over data collection and participant management.

Signing Up for a Researcher Account

To start using the Open Lab platform, you need to create a researcher account. This account will give you access to the web-based researcher portal, where you can design studies, manage participants, and analyze data.

  1. Navigate to the signup page at https://research.open-lab.online/signup.
  2. Fill out the registration form with your full name, email address, and a secure password. Ensure your email is accessible, as it will receive a confirmation link.
  3. If you are affiliated with an academic institution, use your academic email address (e.g., name@university.edu) for potential benefits.
  4. Submit the form and check your inbox for a confirmation email. Click the link in the email to verify your account.
  5. If you don’t receive the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. Contact support if the issue persists.

Troubleshooting Tip: If you encounter errors during signup (e.g., "Email already in use"), ensure you are using a unique email address. If you previously registered, try resetting your password instead.

Screenshot of the Open Lab platform signup page, displaying input fields for name, email, and password, with a 'Sign Up' button.
The signup page, showing input fields for creating a researcher account with name, email, and password.

Exploring the Researcher Dashboard

Once your email is verified, log in to access the researcher dashboard at https://research.open-lab.online/dashboard. The dashboard serves as your central hub for managing research activities.

The dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of your ongoing and completed studies, as well as your data dashboards for visualizing participant data. It also offers quick-action buttons for common tasks, such as:

  • Create a New Study: Start designing a new study from scratch or using a template.
  • Create a Data Dashboard: Build visualizations to analyze your study data.
  • Browse Public Study Templates: Explore pre-configured study designs shared by other researchers.
  • Find Collaborators: Present your projects, search for potential collaborators, and manage invitations.
  • Configure Account Settings: Update your profile, change your password, or manage billing information.

Example: Suppose you’re managing multiple studies, such as one on cognitive tasks and another on behavioral surveys. The dashboard allows you to view all active studies at a glance. You can create a data dashboard with charts and graphs to compare participant engagement across studies, helping you identify trends and adjust study protocols in real-time.

Screenshot of the researcher dashboard, showcasing study cards, quick-action buttons for creating studies, and a summary of data dashboards.
The researcher dashboard, displaying study cards, quick-action buttons, and a summary of data dashboards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about the Open Lab platform? Visit our dedicated FAQ page for answers to common questions about setting up studies, managing participants, and more.

Next Steps

Now that you’re familiar with the basics, explore the following sections to dive deeper into using the Open Lab platform:

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