The Humans of the Triple I Lab series shines the spotlight on graduate and undergraduate students conducting research in the Triple I Lab. We are pleased to introduce you to Natasha, an undergraduate student finishing her Bachelor of Commerce, with a specialization in management. Natasha is helping PhD candidate Manal conduct research on lying and deception in the context of a negotiation.
How did you become a research assistant at the Triple I Lab?
Telfer sent out an email advertising the applied research in management course (ADM3998) and I noticed that my OBHR Professor, Jane O’Reilly, had a PhD student project listed as one of the options. OBHR was my favourite class, and the project sounded interesting. I had already heard about the lab, and so I applied and got in.
What is the research project you are helping with?
I am helping Manal, who is researching Machiavellianism traits in negotiations.
What are your main tasks?
I am putting videos through an emotion expression analysis software called FaceReader to get data points on participants’ emotions and then also using a coding software called the Observer XT to code for eye contact and events I perceive as important for my research question, as well as deception.
What do you like most about being a Research Assistant?
I like learning about all the different programs because in my head, I was under the impression a lot of OBHR was more qualitative but now that we have all these new systems, it can also be quantitative. Also, feeling more integrated into the Telfer community has been incredible. I am very grateful for the people I’ve met.
What advice do you have for other undergraduate students interested in learning more about conducting research and getting involved with the Triple I Lab?
The biggest piece of advice would be talk to your professors because they’re all doing research, all in very different streams, of course, but it’s easy to do. Go to office hours, stop by their office. Specifically Triple I, talk to current lab researchers, professors, and members in the lab. Do the ADM3998 class, if you can. It’s very different from the usual University courses because it's completely hands on. You learn about new career pathways and work with people with higher educations, so you learn a lot. You also get access to really cool equipment!
What’s your favorite spot or piece of equipment in the Triple I Lab, and why?
I would say anything that gives me quantitative results for something that usually gives qualitative results, like FaceReader.
