Frequently asked questions

The BL is a purpose built facility open to any department at LSE (and other institutions) and co-hosted by the Department of Management and the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science. Researchers in the past have used the Lab to examine behaviour in various fields, such as behavioural economics, pshychology, judgement and decision making, management, marketing, organisational behaviour, team dynamics, leadership, creativity, consumer choice, incentives, behavioural public policy and behavioural game theory.

The new BL has grown from the expansion of the old BRL (Behavioural Research Lab) which was founded and hosted by the Department of Management from 2010 to 2019. The BL offers both in-lab and online facilities for conducting research projects in any domain and with any methods (e.g. survey, experiments, field observation).

The BL is located in the Lower Ground Floor of Clement House, 99-101 Aldwych, London WC2B 4JF.

Upon entering Clement House, go through the doors immediately to your right (before the sliding glass doors) and down the stairs. Go all the way to the bottom, through the double doors and through the next set of double doors on your right. The entrance to the lab is on your right.

There is a map on our Find us page.

Behavioural research is the analysis and investigation of human behaviour through observation and scientific experimentation. Studies are often conducted on behavioural economics, pshychology, judjement and decision making, management, marketing, organisational behaviour, team dynamics, leadership, creativity, consumer choice, incentives, behavioural public policy and behavioural game theory. To carry out these studies, researchers recruit students or members of the general public to participate in experiments, computer exercises, surveys, or group activities.With its researcher controlled environment, lab research is an important complement to field research.

The participant will usually be paid £5 for any studies last up to 30 minutes, and £10 for studies that last up to an hour. On occasion, a study may involve an additional financial reward or prize draw, which you will be notified of when the study is advertised.

This depends on the study being carried out. Tasks could involve completing an online survey, being asked for your opinion, taking part in a group activity or playing a computer based game. The study description should give more information on what is expected when logging into the Sona participant sign-up system.

Our studies are reliant on participants being on time. In cases where a group is required to work together the study may be delayed or even cancelled if one person is not present. Some studies only have short timeslots and it may not be possible to fit in a participant who is not available at their allotted time.

If you do find yourself running late, please let us know by emailing us at bl@lse.ac.uk or by calling the BL reception on 020 7955 6059. Please note you may not be able to participate in the study if you arrive late.

Please notify us that you cannot attend as soon as possible. Not only will it give someone else the chance to sign-up, but it also ensures the researcher has enough participants to effectively run the study.

You can cancel your place using the sign-up system (if more than 24 hours before the start of your slot), or if you are having trouble you can email us at bl@lse.ac.uk.

Please note that if you do not show up and have given no notice, you will automatically be marked as an 'unexcused no-show' by the system. This will prevent you from taking part in any further studies.

Please report to reception, which is on the left-hand side of the lab as you enter. When you sign up for a slot you will have been emailed a unique ID number which will be used to identify you during the study. You will be asked for this number to mark your attendance. While waiting for the study to begin you can sit in the reception area, or if it is particularly busy the a member of the Lab team may direct you to an alternative waiting area.

When ready, the researcher will then give you a quick briefing and take you into the lab to conduct the study. Please turn your phone off before entering the main lab.

In addition to taking part as a participant, we occasionally require volunteer research assistants. If you are interested in hearing about these unpaid opportunities please fill out this form. As a volunteer you have the opportunity to shadow and learn from successful researchers and receive mentoring.

Once we have this information, we can pass your details onto any researchers looking for research assistants for upcoming studies. They will then get in touch with you directly if they feel you might be suitable for their study.

Our researchers come from different parts of LSE and cover different academic areas, and usually bring along their own research assistants. If you want to assist in conducting research in lab, it may be more effective to identify faculty members working in your chosen field of interest and approach them directly to offer your services.

 The BL does not recruit paid staff.