An experimental session is part of a research project in behavioural economics that aims to discover, test or confirm patterns of human behaviour. This is done by analysing the decisions made by a group of people at a computer.

Is it true that you get paid for participating?

Yes, all participants receive an immediate payment upon completion of the experiment, which varies depending on your behaviour and that of the other participants.

How do I receive payment?

Payment is made via an immediate transfer to your PayPal account. To participate you will need a PayPal account in your name. You should have the account set up before attending the session. You can create a PayPal account easily by clicking here.

What does participating involve?

Participating means making decisions on a computer, tablet or mobile device. The decisions are simple, for example choosing options or allocating amounts. Everything depends on each person's individual preferences.

How does a session work?

All participants will receive instructions at the start of the session that will set the context. From that point you simply need to make the decisions you consider appropriate. At the end of the session, once the payment receipt has been completed, participants will receive their payment.

Is there a correct answer?

No. This is not a test. Researchers want to know how people actually behave.

What happens with my personal data?

Absolutely nothing. Your data is only used to verify that you match the participant profile the research requires and to manage seat bookings. Under no circumstances will it be sold or used commercially. We are committed to complying with data protection legislation. See our privacy policy here.

What happens with my behavioural data?

It is separated from your identity so that no one can link a person with the decision they made. It is then analysed, but by that point it is fully anonymised.

How long does it take?

Although it varies by study, sessions typically last from 60 to 120 minutes. You will be able to check the estimated maximum duration of your session before booking. In any case, times are approximate since they often depend on participant behaviour.

If you are not sure you have a time buffer in case the session runs long, LINEEX recommends waiting for another session so you can participate without rushing.

How much will I earn?

The average payment at LINEEX last year was €18, but it always depends on your decisions and those of the other participants.

What is the record?

The LINEEX record for the highest payment is €1,000 for 90 minutes.

The record minimum is €5 for 120 minutes.

Neither of these cases is typical.

Who can participate?

Anyone aged 18 to 81 who can make an online purchase is welcome. LINEEX is open to everyone — it does not matter whether you are a university student or not.

Where can I participate?

You can participate in in-person sessions at LINEEX, the Laboratory for Experimental Economics Research at the University of Valencia (see location).

1. Click the button: register
2. Fill in all the fields (we need them to verify that you match the participant profile the research requires).

   If you do NOT have a Spanish ID (DNI): you may use a valid NIE.

3. If the process has completed successfully, you will receive a confirmation email at the address you registered with. If you do NOT receive this email, contact us.
4. Once registered, see the section "Seat Openings" below.
5. Please note that participation is not possible if you are a family member of LINEEX staff or of the research team for the project.

1. Click book your seat
2. Enter the ID number you used when registering your profile.

   Can't remember your registration email?

   If you cannot remember the email address you registered with, contact us and we will help you.

   Under no circumstances should you register a new account or provide false information in your profile — doing so will result in permanent exclusion from future sessions for fraud.

3. Select the session that best fits your schedule, language preference and duration, and click "enrol".

   You will then receive a booking confirmation email. Bring it as proof of your registration. If you do not receive it, contact us to confirm your booking was successful.

   No available sessions?

   This can be for two reasons:

   • You have reached the maximum number of participations.

     ANNUAL limit: 4 participations or payments per year — This is a policy of the University of Valencia accounting department (otherwise earnings would be taxed as employment income).

   • There are no sessions available for your profile.

     This means your profile does not meet the requirements of the current research (for example, if we need doctors over 35 and you are not one). In that case, simply wait for the next call — we run sessions for all profiles.

Make sure you have received a booking confirmation email. Additionally, 24 hours before the session you will receive a reminder email. If you do not receive it, please contact us.

1. Plan to arrive at the Laboratory entrance 10 minutes early. Absence at the time of the call means no entry.
2. Bring the confirmation email of your session registration. It will serve as proof in case you do not appear on our lists and entitles you to receive, at minimum, the minimum payment.
3. Bring your identity document (DNI or NIE). To prevent fraud, you will be asked to identify yourself at the entrance with the same document you used to register.
4. It is essential to have a PayPal account in your name in order to receive payment.

ENTERING THE LABORATORY

As a general rule, without any special promotions active, participants enter the Laboratory in the following order:

1. First, those who were unable to enter the laboratory in a previous session.

2. Second, participants enter in order of registration.

Running research projects is very costly. Therefore, in all sessions a percentage of additional seats are opened to cover absences.

This means that in some cases a small group of participants with a booking may not gain entry to the session.

What happens if I cannot enter because the session is full?

If you cannot enter because the room is full, you are entitled to:

1. Receive the minimum payment for that session. The participant may voluntarily waive this payment if they do not want it to count towards their annual participation limit, thus saving a participation slot for a future call.

2. PRIORITY entry for the next session compatible with your profile. This guarantees your entry to the laboratory.

PARTICIPANT RIGHTS

1. Immediate payment upon completion of the session (guaranteed minimum payment of €5 for in-person sessions).
2. Data confidentiality: anonymity for both personal data and behavioural data reflecting your decisions. Neither your identity nor your personal data will be disclosed.
3. Right to leave the session: participants may leave at any time, but will forfeit their payment and be permanently restricted from future sessions.
4. Right to ask questions relating to the session: participants should raise their hand and questions will be answered individually.

PARTICIPANT OBLIGATIONS

1. Compliance with basic laboratory rules:

   Failure to comply with any of the following rules is grounds for immediate expulsion from the laboratory without compensation.

   a) Do not use a mobile phone during the session.

   b) Remain silent and do not communicate with other participants.

   c) Ask questions privately.

   d) Use the computer or tablet exclusively to carry out the experiment.

2. Respect our staff, facilities and equipment.

   Our team is polite and respectful towards participants and expects the same in return.

3. Notify absence from a session with sufficient notice (24 hours):

   This gives another person the opportunity to take your seat and participate in the experiment. If the absence is notified less than 24 hours in advance and cannot be justified, the participant will be restricted and will not be able to participate in future sessions.

4. Provide truthful information in your profile, including no duplicate profiles.
5. Complete the payment receipt correctly.

   This is a mandatory requirement to receive payment. A PayPal account in your name is essential to receive payment.