Our Facilities

The Marshall Behavioral Research Lab operates three lab suites in the Lower Level of Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall (VPD): LL-102, LL-110, and LL-112. Equipment and lab space are available at no cost to Marshall faculty and PhD students. We provide the rooms, the software, and trained research assistants to help you run your sessions.

Planning a study? Start with a project consultation and we'll recommend the right rooms and equipment.

 

What We Provide

  • Equipment access: reserved lab time with all hardware and software configured and ready.
  • Trained RA support: assistants who can run calibration, monitor sessions, and troubleshoot in real time.
  • Study design consultation: help selecting measures, configuring protocols, and planning session flow.
  • Data export and formatting: raw output files organized and delivered in your preferred format.
  • NoldusCare maintenance: an active support contract for Noldus software updates and troubleshooting.
  • Participant coordination: scheduling, check-in, consent, and session flow management.
  • Multi-system integration: combine eye tracking with physiology, or video with behavioral coding, in one session.

 

Click the expandable sections below to learn more about our floor plans, facilities, and equipment!

Floor Plan

Floor plan of MBRL suites LL-110 and LL-112 in VPD Lower Level, showing lab rooms, observation rooms, reception areas, prep areas, and storage. Room details are listed in the table below.

Floor plan of MBRl suites LL110 and LL112 in VPD Lower Level. Room details are listed below.

RoomTypeSetup
LL-110-B, C, DTOBII eye-tracking labsWall computer, table, 3 chairs
LL-110-F, GBIOPAC & Noldus labsWall computer, table, 3 chairs
LL-112-B, C, F, GNoldus labsWall computer, table, 3 chairs
LL-112-DStandard labWall computer, table, 3 chairs
LL-112-EStandard labCart computer, table, 3 chairs, sink, phone
LL-110-EStandard labCart computer, table, chair, fridge, sink, phone
LL-110-H, LL-112-HObservation & control roomsMultiple monitors, control station, recording equipment, 4 chairs
LL-112-AFocus group & conference roomCart computer, 60" TV, conference table, 9 chairs
Reception 110 & 112Participant check-in and waitingDesk, chair
Backstage 110 & 112Researcher prep areas—
StorageField study & equipment storage; researcher-assigned storage—
LL-102Computer lab16 workstations; group and individual studies
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Lab Spaces

Standard Labs

Private rooms for one participant at a time, each with a computer, table, and seating. Every lab computer runs Windows with Microsoft Office, Chrome, Firefox, a media player, QuickTime, and a text editor.

Observation & Control Rooms (LL-110-H, LL-112-H)

Two dedicated rooms with multi-monitor control stations, recording equipment, and one-way observation windows. Researchers can watch sessions in real time without influencing participant behavior. Each room seats 4.

Focus Group & Conference Room (LL-112-A)

A conference-style room seating 9, with a 60" display, a cart computer, and full presentation equipment. Suited to focus groups, group interviews, team dynamics research, and qualitative sessions.

Computer Lab (LL-102)

A 16-station computer lab for group and individual studies, with separate cubicle workstations and monitors.

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Equipment

TOBII Eye Tracking

Location: LL-110-B, C, D (3 stations)

A screen-based eye tracker (Tobii Pro X3-120) that measures gaze position, fixation duration, saccade patterns, and pupil dilation in real time as participants view on-screen stimuli. It is non-invasive and needs only a brief calibration. Participants sit naturally at a monitor.

Key capabilities:

  • Gaze path mapping and replay
  • Area-of-interest (AOI) heat maps
  • Fixation duration and frequency
  • Pupillometry (cognitive load)
  • Saccade velocity and direction
  • Multi-stimulus sequencing

Software: Tobii Pro Lab for screen-based experimental designs, and Tobii Pro Studio for test design, recording, observation, and analysis.

BIOPAC Psychophysiology

Location: LL-110-F, G (2 stations)

A physiological recording system (BIOPAC with AcqKnowledge) that captures involuntary responses, including skin conductance, heart rate, muscle tension, and respiration, during experimental tasks. It measures arousal, stress, and emotional engagement that self-report can't capture.

Use requires approval from the lab manager.

Key capabilities:

  • EDA / galvanic skin response
  • ECG / heart rate variability
  • EMG (facial and skeletal muscle)
  • Respiration rate and depth
  • Event-synchronized recording
  • Multi-channel simultaneous capture

Noldus Behavioral Analysis

Location: LL-112-B, C, F, G and LL-110-F, G (6 stations)

Automated facial expression recognition, behavioral event coding, and video recording. FaceReader classifies seven basic emotions plus contempt in real time. Observer XT supports structured coding of any observable behavior from video. Viso records sessions in real time through an integrated camera system.

Key capabilities:

  • Automated emotion classification
  • Action unit (AU) detection
  • Manual behavioral event coding
  • Video annotation and time-sync
  • Valence and arousal scoring
  • Inter-rater reliability tools

Intercom System

An Extron intercom lets researchers speak to participants in any room on demand through the room's built-in audio system.

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Pictures of the Lab

  • Computer Testing Lab

  • Storage Units for Researchers

    storage

  • Conference Room

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Questions?

Email behaviorallab@marshall.usc.edu or visit our Contact page. Lab hours are Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM.