Behavioural Laboratory to boost research capability
L to R: Dr Giles Hirst, Dr Samantha Thomas and Dr Stephen Smith at the Behavioural Laboratory launch
Eye-tracking and decision-making simulation technologies are part of the new state-of-the-art Behavioural Research Laboratory launched at Monash University yesterday.
The new laboratory, located at the University’s Caulfield campus, will provide a multi-disciplinary facility to enhance the Faculty of Business and Economics’ research capability to conduct innovative behavioural experiments.
Professor Harmen Oppewal, Department of Marketing said that the addition of the Behavioural Research Laboratory will enhance the Faculty’s research and research-led teaching.
“The Faculty of Business and Economics is well known for embracing technology and innovation in research. The laboratory will allow us to foster greater cross-discipline research as well as increase student awareness and exposure to research in the behavioural disciplines.”
The laboratory features video monitoring equipment with eye-tracking capabilities, a suite of online survey software packages, a secure network operating system, eight self-contained, sound proofed cubicles and 30 workstations.
“The new behavioural laboratory will enable our researchers and students to study such areas as consumer emotions, online shopping behaviour, brand and pricing effects, group decision making and leadership and negotiation behaviour,” Professor Oppewal said.
“Now that our researchers have access to the technology, it will open up the possible areas of research that can be undertaken here at Monash.”
As part of the launch, Dr Samantha Thomas, Department of Marketing, Dr Stephen Smith, Department of Accounting and Finance and Dr Giles Hirst, Department of Management gave demonstrations of how the new technology available in the laboratory has been able to assist in their current research projects.
Professor Axel Schulz, Chair of Behavioural Research Laboratory Committee said the laboratory will play a key role in the ongoing development of judgment and decision-making research by staff and research students as well as provide an innovative facility for consumer and practitioner research. There will also be opportunities for the laboratory to be used by the private sector and government for customised research projects.