Procedures for Penalizing subjects

 

 

Return to lab homepage

 

When to penalize subjects..

 

You may penalize subjects:
  1.  if they fail to provide over 24hr notice to cancel their experiment.
  2.  if they arrive over 15 minutes late. 
  3.  if they fail to show up
 

DEALING WITH DIFFICULT SUBJECTS..

-You NEVER have to deal with difficult subjects.   I can't stress this enough.. 

 

If any subject gives you a hard time about receiving a penalty, etc.. please direct them to: Noriko (858-534-7417).   You can kindly explain to the subjects that the decision is out of your hands and that they can either leave their contact information and someone will be in touch or call the lab manager, who would be more than happy to discuss the situation with them.

 

 

Rescheduling subjects..

You do not have to reschedule subjects that deserve a penalty.   The option to reschedule a subject who failed to show up to an experiment, is up to each experimenter.

-Note: sometimes unexpected things happen (car brakes down, emergency, flu, etc.) .. if you feel that the subject is sincere, you really should consider giving them a chance to prevent a penalty.  Excuses like "I couldn't find the building", "I woke up late", I had trouble finding parking" are NOT valid excuses..  

 

 

HOW to reschedule subjects who should have received a penalty..

Typically, when we reschedule, we still issue a PENALTY for the hour the subject missed..  However, we agree to remove that penalty AND issue them a credit upon completion of the experiment.  Only one reschedule attempt is allowed, so make sure that the subjects understand that before they agree to the new rescheduled time.     

Feel free to use the example below when emailing subjects regarding a reschedule.. note: it's better to deal with rescheduling/penalties, etc via email, so that there is written documentation of all communication.. sometimes subjects come back later and claim that you never told them things that you actually did, and so email is an easy way to cover your bases.

-sample reschedule:   We have received your message cancelling today's experiment.  Unfortunately, without at least a 24 hour advanced notice, this is considered a penalty.  However, considering your situation, we would be willing to have you reschedule, to erase the penalty.  If you agree to reschedule, you would need to complete the experiment by the end of next week.   You would also need to show up on time and failure to show up would result in another penalty (for a total of 2 penalties), without the opportunity for a future reschedule.  Therefore, please choose wisely when deciding upon a time to come in for your rescheduled experiment.  Once you complete the experiment, we will remove your penalty AND also issue you credit, so it will be as if you never received the penalty and only received a credit.   If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call me.  Otherwise, please email me your availability for next week, so that we can try to find a time to reschedule your experiment.
Sincerely,

-