Software Information
FileMaker
FileMaker is our own database, and therefore we are able to keep it updated.
Updating List of RA Names on Filemaker:
When new RAs come into the lab, they will most likely recruit on FileMaker at some point.
As lab manager, you are responsible for editing the list of RA names on FileMaker as our RAs come and go. There is a section on FileMaker to add the RAs names and I will show you how to update those names as it can be tricky to figure it out at first.
After you open FileMaker, at the very top of your desktop there will be various labels such as: File, Edit, View, Insert, etc.
In order to update the names you have to select: File -> Manage -> Value Lists... -> Then scroll down to "RA List".
After finding the row, select it and then click on "Edit" at the bottom (blue button).
You are now free to delete or add people, just add their name in the next row by selecting return.
Updating Values/Layouts on Filemaker:
Ripple
Ripple is a database that we share with other labs at UCI. The Ripple database is run by the Science of Learning (SoL) Lab. The labs who use Ripple are known collectively as the Child Studies Collaborative (CSC) to parents.
Any questions regarding Ripple can be sent to the CSC Team via email: ucichildstudies@gmail.com
The current CSC Admin is the SoL Lab's lab manager, Maryam Cheraghi (cheraghm@uci.edu) [as of 06/12/2026]
Requesting Our Monthly Allocation:
Each month, we receive a new batch of participants to recruit. Your job as lab manager is to request the new batch of participants at the end of each month. On the last week of each month, you will be asked to fill out this Google Form requesting our monthly allocation:
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Based on the current ages our studies our recruiting for, you can request a specific age range (e.g. "4-8 year olds")
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NOTE: If there is a specific qualification required for a certain age range, you must submit a separate request for that age range. For example, if our lab is running studies on 3-10 year olds, but there's a study that is only recruiting bilingual 4-8 year olds, you would submit one form that requests 3 and 9-10 year olds with only English as a primary language requirement, and then you'd submit a separate form that requests 4-8 year olds with English as their primary language + that they speak 2 or more languages.
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Updating the Ripple Participant Database:
There should be one RA who is responsible for updating Ripple each week for participants who have completed studies. Once you've selected an RA to train for this task, have them watch the Ripple updating training videos in the server, located under "Lab Manager" --> "Training" --> "Ripple Update Tutorials."
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If available, this RA should also join you for the monthly Ripple meetings to hear any notes that the CSC admin have for our lab. If they can join, email the CSC admin notifying them that they will be joining, and add them to the "CSC Monthly Meeting" event on Google Calendar.
Updating the Ripple Participant Database:
When a new study has been created, you will need to email the CSC Admin to add the study name to the Allocation Request form and our Ripple Page.
After a study has finished data collection, you can let the CSC Admin know so they can remove that study from the Allocation Request form and mark that study as "CLOSED" on our Ripple Page.
Accessing Collected Data for In-Person Projects:
Videos, Inquisit Data and Excel data can be found on the server. Instructions on accessing the server can be found here: https://www.dosclab.com/software-information
In order to enter Paper Coded Data, follow the steps below: (IMPORTANT)
*Most, if not all, of the paper coded data can be found in the File Repository on the server OR within individual study folders on the server under "Coding Sheets/In-Person Data"
To access REDCap file repository:
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Slack Isabel letting her know you will need access to Paper Coding Sheets.
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Wait for Isabel to Slack you back (will remove you as 1st/2nd coder temporarily)
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Once Isabel has Slacked you, go to the File Repository on the left Sidebar Menu. Download all relevant files onto your computer.
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Slack Isabel letting her know you have downloaded all of the files.
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Wait for Isabel, who will add you back as 1st/2nd coder
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After Isabel has Slacked you, proceed to work on data entry.
Please make sure to follow these steps, otherwise data will not be entered correctly or you will not have access to the paper coded files.
If you are doing discrepancy coding, these steps are not necessary and you will have access to the File Repository all the time.
NoMachine - Logging into RA Room Macs Remotely:
NoMachine was a software commonly used in our lab during pandemic when researchers were unable to access the computers in our lab. As of 2025, our lab no longer uses NoMachine, as all researchers are expected to do most of their work in the lab. But in the event that someone needs to access our computers remotely, here are the instructions on how to do so!
In order to access our Participant Database on Filemaker or run studies on Inquisit, you will have to access one of our lab Macs. We will be using a software called NoMachine that will allow you to mirror the Mac screen and control it remotely.
Install NoMachine here: https://www.nomachine.com/download
Using NoMachine:
Accessing the Computer:
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Log into the UCI VPN. If you do not log into the UCI VPN, you will not be able to access the lab computers.
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Open NoMachine (make sure you have the updated version 8.1.2). You will see an instruction screen telling you how to enter IP addresses to remotely access computers. Read the instruction screen carefully before clicking "Continue".
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Once you click continue, you'll be taken to a page where you can add the IP addresses for the computer you want to access. Select Add on the top left corner.
You will add the IP address of the intended computer under Host. You can add any name you'd like.
Here are the IP addresses for each of our RA room computers-
Closest to the Door: 128.200.46.140
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Middle computer: 128.200.46.139
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You can then Add the computer on the top. You might see the home screen again, double-click on the intended
computer to log in.
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It will ask you to verify host authenticity. Click Yes.
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Username: Development of Social Cognition Lab
Password: G3lm@n
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Once you press enter, you will see a multiple preference screens. Go through them and press OK for all of them. Then you'll arrive at the computer log in screen. Log into the Development of Social Cognition Lab user as usual and you should be able to access the computer.
Using the Computer:
Here are a few things to keep in mind while using the computer:
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You can fit the screen to size, so you can see the whole computer screen at once, or view the screen zoomed in. To toggle the settings, click on the very top right corner of NoMachine and it will take you to the settings page. Once you're done adjusting the settings, just click "Done."
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Only one person can use one computer at a time, so once you are done, just close the NoMachine window and it will log you out.
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If you are done, you can log out of the user but DO NOT SHUT DOWN THE COMPUTER OR PUT IT ON SLEEP MODE. We cannot use the computer if it is not active, so if you accidentally inactivate the computer (put it on sleep mode or shut it down), let Isabel know right away.
