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In order to obtain the most possible out of the time you spend in the laboratory, you will want to acquire the habits of a good experimenter. Most importantly, ensure that you are familiar with the procedure for each experimental session before you begin. In this way you will be able to pay attention to what is happening during the experiment rather than spending your time trying to figure out what it is that you should be doing. Ensure that you have drawn up the necessary data sheet prior to starting the experiment. You also need to be sure that you understand exactly what data should be recorded during each phase of the experiment. Pay attention to what your rat is doing. Observe his behavior carefully, noting as much as possible about the effect your procedures have on what the animal does. In doing so, be careful to record the actual behavior, not your conjecture of what is happening. For example, when you place the rat in the operant chamber you might notice that he is shaking. Record this behavior, but do not read into it. You cannot assume that the rat is shaking because he is scared (as you would be) if you were placed in an experimental chamber. |