StudySwap: A Platform for Interlab Replication, Collaboration, and Resource Exchange

Abstract

The resources needed to conduct psychological research (i.e., time, access to participants, equipment, expertise, etc.) are sometimes distributed inefficiently: Resources going unused at one lab may be needed to complete projects at another lab. This inefficient distribution of resources can be an impediment to scientific progress and to individuals’ careers. StudySwap (https://osf.io/view/StudySwap) is an online platform where researchers can post brief de-scriptions of research resources that are available for use (haves) or that they need and another researcher may have (needs). This Tutorial provides instructions for posting haves and needs on StudySwap, responding to the posts of other researchers, and creating exchange agreements that define expectations of all collaborative parties prior to data collection or other resource exchanges. Ultimately, we hope that StudySwap can be used to increase the efficiency with which psychology’s collective research resources are being used.