LEM

About LEM

The Mobile Experimental Laboratory (LEM) is a collaborative space belonging to the Research Center in Social Complexity (CICS) at Universidad del Desarrollo, in Chile. Its mission is to provide a dynamic and flexible environment for conducting innovative research addressing complex social challenges. In this laboratory, students, postdocs, academics, and national and international collaborators linked to CICS gather to work on interdisciplinary projects, all with a common focus: the use of experimental methods in social sciences.

Capabilities and Methodology

LEM features computing and support equipment designed to conduct synchronous or asynchronous experiments both in controlled environments and in the field, allowing for data collection from specific populations.

The laboratory is configured to use platforms such as Otree and Qualtrics, although it can also be used with other platforms, provided that the corresponding procedures are followed to ensure correct experiment configuration.

All experimentalist computers are equipped with Python, OTree, Qualtrics, and Google Chrome.

Ethical Commitment

LEM adheres to the No Deception rule, safeguarding the laboratory’s reputation and the common good implied by compliance with rigorous ethical principles. All research conducted at LEM must have approval from a Chilean ethics committee.

Infrastructure

LEM’s infrastructure in 2025 consists of 40 notebooks distributed into three autonomous sets.

Each set includes:

12 notebooks for participants.
1 server computer for experimentalists.
1 router for network connection.
Logistical equipment (extension cords, mice, privacy dividers).
Transport cases.

In total, the laboratory has 37 notebooks with chargers, 3 computers for experimentalists, 3 routers, 6 cases, 6 extension cords, 37 mice, and 40 dividers.