Laboratories for Applied
Behavioral Sciences | LABS
For Researchers
Conducting Research in the Laboratories of Zeppelin University
The Laboratories for Applied Behavioral Sciences | LABS are located in the laboratory wing of the ZF Campus and are open to researchers from all departments at Zeppelin University — for research projects, theses, doctoral dissertations, and externally funded research. In keeping with the university’s interdisciplinary research focus, they are used to address research questions at the intersection of psychology, economics, and political science. This page provides an overview of the available LABS laboratory spaces, the research methods that they support, and the recruitment of participants through the university’s participant pool.
LABS Overview
The Hugo Eckener Laboratory supports stationary and mobile eye-tracking data collection. Psychophysiological measurements are also possible, including respiration, pulse, electrodermal activity, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
The EEG Laboratory enables the measurement of brain activity with high
temporal resolution. Because EEG and eye-tracking studies require specialized equipment and analytical methods, researchers are expected to complete appropriate training before independently conducting experiments.
The Behavioral Laboratory accommodates up to 12 participants simultaneously. Individual computer workstations are separated by privacy screens, allowing researchers to conduct interactive experiments without participants influencing one another. Experimental software can be installed according to the requirements of individual research projects.
Recruiting Participants: Our Recruitment System
For recruitment, we maintain a participant pool based on the recruitment system ORSEE. Through it, you can invite registered participants to your studies in a targeted way. The pool is available for both laboratory and online studies.
Contact
Would you like to find out whether your project can be carried out in our laboratories?
Get in touch with the Laboratory Team:
For Participants
Take Part in Our Research
The Chair of Social and Economic Psychology at Zeppelin University studies human behavior at the intersection of psychology, economics, and political science: How do people take in information, how do they make decisions, how do they act in social and economic situations?
Every one of our studies depends on participants, and by taking part, you make a real contribution to research. Depending on the project, studies take place either in our laboratories on the ZF-Campus or online, allowing you to participate from wherever you are.
Why Participate in a Laboratory Study?
Behavioral research draws on a range of approaches: surveys and online studies, observation
in everyday settings, and experiments in the laboratory. What makes laboratory experiments
distinctive is that they let us keep conditions the same for everyone, free from unintended
influences. Some measurements are also only possible on site, such as recording eye movements
or brain activity. Your participation on site, therefore, makes research findings possible that
simply would not exist without you. And it’s worth the trip: most studies also provide financial
compensation and the laboratory team welcomes you in person and guides you through the entire
study.
At studies in the laboratory, the team explains the procedure at the start and is available for questions throughout. No prior knowledge or preparation is required.
Responses and measurement data are stored separately from your personal data and analyzed only in anonymized form. In the Behavioral Laboratory, workstations are additionally separated by privacy screens.
You usually receive payment for taking part. The type and amount vary by study and are stated in advance in each study invitation.
How to Take Part
If you'd like to receive information about opportunities to participate in studies — both in person and online — please sign up for our free participant pool. This does not obligate you to participate in any way, and you can decide for yourself whether you'd like to take part in each study when you receive an invitation.
As soon as a suitable study comes up, you receive an email with all the details – location, date, expected duration, and more.
You decide for each invitation whether you would like to take part.
Depending on the study, you complete tasks or answer questionnaires on site or online.
Participate in Current Studies
LABS Team
Do you have questions about your participation? Please contact experiment@experiment-zu.de
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate in a study?
Anyone aged 18 or over can take part. Many studies look for participants without any special background. Any requirements for a specific study are stated when you sign up.
Do I need any prior knowledge?
No. Most courses do not require any specific prior knowledge.
How long does a study take?
The duration varies considerably depending on the study and method. Eye-tracking studies, for example, usually take significantly longer than short behavioral experiments. Information over expected duration will be communicated in advance by email.
How much is the payment for taking part?
For selected studies, you receive payment for taking part. The amount depends on the type of study. You will receive further details after you register.
How can I register to participate in a study?
To participate in our studies, you must create an account in our participant pool. We will then notify you as soon as a suitable study becomes available. You receive full details in advance by email on organizational matters such as time, location, and more. The study process depends on the specific study and its format.
How secure is my data?
Protecting your data matters to us. We distinguish between two kinds of data. The first is your personal data (such as name and email address), which you provide when registering in our participant system ORSEE. We use it solely to invite you to suitable studies and to organize your participation. For cash payments, you confirm receipt of the compensation with your signature. This is required for accounting purposes and is kept separate from the research data. The second is the research data. That is, the responses you give during a study. These are stored and analyzed in anonymized form, separately from your personal data, so that your responses cannot be traced back to you as an individual.
I've already participated in a study and would like to participate again.
You will receive an invitation whenever a study is available for which you are eligible. Whether you can take part in the same research project more than once depends on the individual study.
How can I cancel my appointment?
You cannot cancel your registration for a session on your own. Therefore, please make sure you are available at the scheduled time before registering for an appointment.
However, if you are unable to attend for unforeseen reasons, please send an email to experiment@experiment-zu.de at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Where do I find the LABS laboratory wing?
The laboratories are located in the basement of the ZF Campus (Fallenbrunnen 3, 88045 Friedrichshafen). From the main entrance, it’s about a one-minute walk.
Step by step:
1. Enter through the main entrance, next to the check-in desk.
2. Turn right and pass the check-in desk until you reach the green stairwell.
3. Turn left and follow the corridor towards the blue stairwell.
4. Take the blue stairwell down to the basement — the laboratory team will welcome you there.
