Thank you for your interest in conducting research at the Mechatronics Lab at Temple University. These policies are designed to ensure a productive, professional, and safe research environment. All lab members are expected to read, understand, and follow the guidelines below.
1. Nature of Research
- Research is inherently open-ended and exploratory. It does not follow a fixed rubric or a predefined solution path.
- You are expected to work effectively in a dynamic environment where goals, methods, and challenges may change over time.
- Adaptability, persistence, and critical thinking are essential.
2. Accountability and Weekly Reporting
- You are required to report your progress to your advisor on a weekly basis in written form (email or message) and/or through oral presentations during weekly meetings.
- Each weekly update must include:
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- Work completed
- Results and plots
- Planned next steps
- A shared master PowerPoint file will be maintained. Each member must create and regularly update their section.
- The presentation must include relevant results, plots, and illustrations.
- Slides should be concise but informative. Clarity and substance are more important than visual polish.
- You must keep your presentation updated in parallel with your research progress.
3. Meetings and Participation
- Weekly meetings will be approximately 30 minutes long.
- Meetings are confidential. All discussions, data, and feedback must remain within the lab.
- Attendance is mandatory. If a conflict arises, you must notify your advisor in advance.
- You are expected to be prepared to present and discuss your progress during meetings.
4. Communication Standards
- Maintain timely and professional communication at all times.
- You are expected to respond to your advisor within 24 hours under normal circumstances.
- If instructions or expectations are unclear, seek clarification immediately.
- You must obtain approval from your advisor before initiating any research-related communication with third parties, including IT services, vendors, companies, or other faculty.
5. Work Ethic and Expectations
- You are expected to be self-motivated and take ownership of your research.
- Independent problem-solving is expected before seeking assistance.
- Work intensity may vary depending on project phase, deadlines, and responsibilities.
6. Team Structure and Collaboration
- A maximum of three members is allowed per project.
- Team members must maintain active and clear communication with one another.
- Responsibilities should be shared appropriately, and accountability must be maintained at the individual level.
7. Resource Management and Purchasing
- Research funding is limited and must be used responsibly.
- All purchases must be justified and approved in advance.
- Purchase requests must include:
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- Component name
- Purchase link
- Quantity
- Unit cost
- Total cost
- Technical justification
- Avoid unnecessary or redundant purchases. Cost awareness is part of responsible research practice.
8. Experimental Rigor and Validation
- A system is considered not working only after:
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- At least three different methods have been attempted
- Each method has been tested a minimum of three times
- No meaningful response or result is observed
- A system is considered working only when:
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- It has been tested at least three times under defined conditions
- Results are consistent and reproducible
- Supporting data and evidence are documented
- All claims must be supported by data.
9. Professional Conduct
- Maintain professionalism, discipline, and respect in all interactions.
- Feedback provided during meetings is intended to improve research quality and project outcomes.
- Criticism should be received constructively and not taken personally.
- Focus on solutions, progress, and continuous improvement.
10. Lab Environment and Responsibility
- Maintain a clean, organized, and functional workspace at all times.
- Shared spaces and equipment must be respected.
- Clean up after completing work and return tools and components to their proper locations.
11. Safety and Operational Guidelines
- Safety is the highest priority and must never be compromised.
- If you feel unwell, uncertain, or unsafe at any time, stop work immediately and inform your advisor.
- Before wiring or powering any equipment, read and understand the specifications and operating limits of all electronic components and instruments.
- Verify that all moving components are securely fastened. Loose parts can become hazardous and may damage nearby equipment.
- Inspect your setup for exposed conductors or damaged insulation. Do not operate the system if any live wiring is accessible.
- Keep an emergency plan in mind. Know how to shut off power quickly and what to do if something behaves unexpectedly.
- Coordinate each step with your lab partner and communicate clearly before making changes to the setup.
- If anything is unclear, or if unexpected behavior occurs, stop the experiment immediately and inform your advisor.
12. Publications and Deliverables
- All research outputs, including papers, presentations, and posters, must be submitted for advisor approval at least three days before the official submission deadline.
- No material may be submitted externally without prior approval.
13. Advisor Authority and Compliance
- Lab members are expected to carry out all research-related tasks, assignments, and directives provided by their advisor in a timely and professional manner.
- Failure to follow advisor instructions, maintain satisfactory progress, or meet expectations may affect continued participation in the lab.
- Violation of the policies outlined in this document may result in corrective action, including restriction of lab access or termination of involvement in lab activities at the advisor’s discretion.
- Research within the lab is conducted in a collaborative and inclusive environment. While input and discussion from all members are encouraged, the advisor serves as the final decision-maker on all research-related matters. Lab members are to required respect and follow these decisions.
14. Final Responsibility
- When in doubt, ask.
- Lack of clarity is not an acceptable reason for errors or delays.
- Adherence to these policies is required for continued participation in the lab.
