Project management

PSYC 11: Laboratory in Psychological Science

Jeremy R. Manning
Dartmouth College
Spring 2026

Staying on track

  • When big team deadlines are far away, how can you know if you are on track?
  • Break down your big tasks into smaller tasks with interim deadlines
  • Define points of accountability
  • Use frequent updates and audits

Your final project requires you to run a complete scientific study, which is a big task! There is no way to do it (well) all in one week. You will need to carefully manage your (and your teammates') time in order to meet the final deadline. The best way to do this is to prioritize making steady progress every week.

How do you decide what to work on "next"?

  • What have I already done?
  • What are the next milestones?
  • Is there anything I'm stuck on?

If you or your team are feeling stuck or unsure about what to work on next, please reach out to me or your TAs! We are here to help you navigate the project and can provide guidance on how to break down tasks, set interim goals, and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Tips and tricks for implementation

  • Tasks are associated with products: a task is not "done" until you have something tangible to show for it
  • When you accept or assign a task, make sure it is clear what the deliverable will be
  • Pilot test early: run through your experiment yourself before collecting real data
  • Life happens; communicate with your team if expectations shift

Tools to keep you organized

  • Slack channel: daily check-ins, quick questions, sharing files
  • Shared Google Doc: running notes, task assignments, meeting agendas
  • Project board (Trello, GitHub Projects, etc.): track tasks visually with columns like "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done"
  • Pick whatever works for your group; the best system is the one you actually use

Human subjects training (required)

Before your group can collect data from human participants, every member must complete the self-directed human-subjects training course below, and your group must get my written approval of your study (I'm acting as the IRB for this course).

  1. Watch: CPHS training video (YouTube, ~30 minutes)
  2. Review: CPHS presentation slides
  3. Read: Belmont Report, Nuremberg Code, and "Jesse's Intent"

Complete the training before Monday so your group can begin data collection on time.

Questions? Want to chat more?

📧 Email me
💬 Join our Slack
💁 Come to office hours
  • Today: work on implementing your experiment
  • Over the weekend: watch the CPHS training video and read the associated materials
  • Next week: get your experiment approved and start collecting data!