Settings

Overview

The Settings section in the Open Lab platform allows researchers to configure various aspects of their study, including general information, template options, scheduling, follow-up sessions, data retention, encryption for data security, and study deletion. This tabbed interface provides control over study metadata, sharing as templates, and the study's data lifecycle. Proper configuration ensures data privacy and study reusability.

Access Settings from the study dashboard by clicking the "Study Settings" button or navigating to https://research.open-lab.online/dashboard/studies/[study-id]/settings. The interface features seven tabs — General, Template, Scheduling, Follow-up, Data retention, Encryption, and Delete — with save buttons to persist changes. Account-level settings (profile, password, 2FA, and more) live on a separate Account settings page, described at the end of this guide.

General

The General tab allows editing of the study's title and description, which are displayed to participants and in search results (if public).

1. Enter or update the title in the "Study Title" field.
2. Provide a detailed description in the textarea, including objectives and methodology.
3. Changes are tracked; save to apply.

Example: Title: "Cognitive Reaction Time Study"; Description: "This study examines reaction times in various tasks using lab.js experiments."

Templates

The Templates tab enables sharing your study as a reusable template. This is available if you have the necessary permissions (e.g., admin roles).

• Allow Template: Toggle to enable/disable templating.
• Create Template: Enter a title, choose public/private visibility, and click "Create Template" to generate.

Example: Create a public template titled "Basic Reaction Time Template" for others to use as a starting point.

Troubleshooting Tip: If creation fails, check for validation errors or permissions. Templates can be browsed in the studies page.

Scheduling

The Scheduling tab lets you automatically open or close the study at a set time, so you don't have to change its status by hand. Set a scheduled open time, a scheduled close time, or both; the study's status is updated within about five minutes of each scheduled time. Leave a field blank to skip that transition.

Note: Automatic scheduling requires a Basic plan or higher. On the free plan the fields are shown with an upgrade prompt.

Follow-up

The Follow-up tab configures scheduled follow-up sessions. When enabled, Open Lab automatically emails participants a follow-up invitation a set number of days after they complete this study — for example, to run a retest or a delayed measure. You choose the delay (in days) and the message participants receive.

Note: Automated follow-up emails require a Pro plan or higher.

Data retention

The Data retention tab controls how long participant responses are kept before they are automatically deleted. Each plan has a default retention period, and you can set a shorter per-study window if you need to. Changing the retention period affects responses collected from then on.

Encryption

The Encryption tab controls how participant data collected for this study is encrypted. Under Data encryption you choose one of three strategies. Changing the strategy affects newly collected data; data already collected keeps the encryption it was saved with.

• End-to-end encryption (default): Data is encrypted with your account key, so only you — and collaborators you authorise — can read it. It decrypts automatically when you're signed in and your encryption vault is unlocked (from Settings → Security); there are no key files to download or upload. This is the recommended option.
• Server-side encryption: Open Lab manages the keys. Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest on Open Lab's GDPR-compliant servers and protected by access controls, but it is not end-to-end — it is technically readable by Open Lab acting as your processor. Convenient for pilot studies or testing the platform, and it needs no vault or key files, but it does not give end-to-end confidentiality.
• Self-managed study key (advanced): Generate a downloadable key pair for this study. You generate and hold the private key yourself — Open Lab never holds it — and must upload it to view the data. This is an end-to-end alternative for researchers who prefer to keep their own study key file rather than use the account vault. There is no recovery if the key file is lost.

When you choose Self-managed study key, an Encryption keys card appears. Click Generate keys (or Regenerate keys if keys already exist) to create the key pair. The private key is shown only once — use Download private key to save it as a .pem file, or Email private key to send yourself a backup. Store it securely: without the private key you cannot decrypt participant data.

Trade-off: The two end-to-end options keep data readable only to you (and authorised collaborators), while server-side encryption trades that confidentiality for convenience and easier recovery. Pick the strategy that matches how sensitive your study data is before your study starts collecting.

Delete Study

The Delete Study tab allows permanent removal of the study and all associated data. This action is irreversible and requires multi-stage confirmation.

1. Click "Delete Study" to start the process.
2. Enter the study name to confirm.
3. Check the agreement box for data deletion.
4. Click "Delete Study" to purge.

Troubleshooting Tip: Ensure all data is backed up before deletion. If deletion fails, check for active participants or server issues.

Account Settings

The settings covered above apply to a single study. Settings for your account live on a separate page at https://research.open-lab.online/dashboard/settings, organized into tabs for Profile, Account, and Email preferences (a Security tab also appears when the encryption vault is enabled). The Account tab is where you manage how you sign in and control your data:

• Change password: Changing your password now requires your current password. Enter your current password and a new one (at least 8 characters), then click "Change password". If the current password is incorrect, the change is rejected.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security with an authenticator app. Click "Enable 2FA", scan the QR code, and enter the 6-digit code to confirm. To turn it off, use "Disable 2FA", which requires both your password and a current 6-digit code.
• Download my data: Export a copy of your account data (profile, studies, and more) as a JSON file for your records.
• Delete account: Permanently delete your account. This is irreversible and requires confirming with your current password.

Next Steps

With study settings configured, explore the following sections to collaborate or analyze data on the Open Lab platform:

• Collaboration

  • Projects: Create and manage project cards to describe your research needs.
  • Collaborators: Find, invite, and collaborate with other researchers.

• Data

  • Data Analysis: Build visualizations to analyze study data.
  • Data Reports: Generate comprehensive reports from study data.