Gies Business Research Lab Report
About the Gies
Business Research Lab
Lab Facilities
Funding Support
Training for New Faculty and PhD
Researchers
Research Participants
Publications
For more information, contact: busresearchlab@illinois.edu
About the Gies Business Research Lab
Gies College of Business created the Gies Business Research Lab (GBRL) in 2020 to foster impactful research through support and resources. We connect researchers to participant pools of students and nonstudents, dedicated research and participant management systems, study implementation support, and updated lab space. Gies Business funds the research expenses.
Our priority is to collaboratively facilitate as many behavioral projects as possible, fostering an environment that supports innovation in study design and methodology. We respond to the emerging needs of Gies Business researchers and provide support and structure that leads to excellence in data collection, analysis, and publication.
We focus on three main goals to promote Gies Business innovation and excellence in research:
• Serve the emerging needs of behavioral researchers across the College by growing, cultivating, and maintaining participant pools.
• Support efficient and rich human subject research data collection through best practices related to recruitment, management, and incentivizing studies.
• Provide support for innovative and pioneering research methods, employing new technologies and designs that expand the impact of Gies Business research.
GBRL assists more than 50 Gies Business researchers in running 100+ studies yearly through our three unique participant pools. In addition to maintaining and upgrading our resources and facilities, we continue to expand support for behavioral research at Gies Business.
Lab Facilities
GBRL provides leading-edge equipment, dedicated software specific to our lab, and unique physical space to conduct research studies. Gies Business behavioral researchers have access to dedicated lab space designed for data collection.
Additionally, GBRL provides oversight of scheduling and the day-to-day operations of the dedicated behavioral research lab spaces:
• 24 Wohlers Hall (31 research stations)
• 36 Wohlers Hall (52 research stations that can be partitioned into 26 per side)
• 50 Wohlers Hall (interview rooms, laptop reservations, flex space)
• The BioLab (with iMotions Biosensor Modules)
BioLab
Launched in 2022 in collaboration with iMotions, the BioLab allows researchers to conduct groundbreaking studies using eye-tracking, facial expression analysis, and galvanic skin response sensors. The BioLab is compatible with VR hardware and software that can be integrated into biosensor studies. The hardware and software were made possible through the generous support of an anonymous Gies Business donor.
“Our study using BioLab sensors is just the beginning of a series of studies that we will run in the lab to help prepare our students for real-world scenarios. These types of studies would not be possible without the support of the College and the participation of students and alumni, who bring valuable industry experience to our research.
– Jenny Ulla, Assistant Professor of Accountancy
“
Funding
Researchers can apply for funding through GBRL through the following types of grants:
• Large multiuse technology grants
• Programming support grants
• Research assistant support grants
• Participant incentive support grants
• PhD Excellence in Research grants
GBRL offers applications for these grants three times per year. Researchers must have Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.
Support
In addition to the funding opportunities, GBRL provides support to make data collection more efficient, also focusing on innovative methodologies and technology.
Research Assistant Support
GBRL has trained research assistants dedicated to assisting researchers in running their in-person research studies.
Research Assistant Matching Program
GBRL offers a Research Assistant Matching Program for researchers seeking research assistants for their labs. GBRL has developed an application, review process, and repository for qualified students and connects them to a Gies Business researcher.
Dedicated Programming Support
GBRL offers dedicated programming support staff, giving Gies Business researchers the opportunity to request programming support for study design, web scraping, coding, and cleaning.
Technology
GBRL continues to monitor developments in technology to enhance research opportunities.
Training for New Faculty and PhD Researchers
New faculty and PhD researchers have access to multiple trainings and orientations to familiarize them with the lab and its offerings.
Research Participants
GBRL offers three categories of participants:
• Gies Business Research Panel
• Departmental Research Subject Pools
• iDegrees Research Participation Program
