The Social Science Research Lab (SSRL) provides students, faculty, and staff with the tools needed for research and learning. Below are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) that our consultants receive. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at ssrl@american.edu.

1. What type of help can we find in the Social Science Research lab? 

In the lab you will find consultants to assist you in learning the various statistics and research software that SSRL supports.  We offer special group tutorials (per request) and personal tutorials (drop-in).  In addition to this, you can come any time and a consultant on duty will assist you with understanding the software we have in the lab.

Current drop-in tutorial schedule 

2.  Do you provide support by phone? 

No, we do not assist students or faculty with specific software questions on the phone. Please visit a consultant in the SSRL lab in Hurst 202 for assistance. 

3.  How can I request a group tutorial? 

If you are a faculty member, please send an e-mail to ssrl@american.edu to request a specialized consultant for the software you would like the tutorial to cover. Please make sure to include the date, time, and specific lab you would like the tutorial to take place, especially if you have not already reserved a lab.

4.  Where can I find more help to learn the software available at these labs? 

To learn more about the software supported by our labs, please refer to our tutorials page that have been written by our consultants for step-by-step instruction on how to use the software. You can find additional support at Lynda.com by accessing the website through myau.american.edu. 

5. How can I get SPSS, STATA, or SAS installed onto my computer?

We offer the following services for students, faculty, and staff: 

If you have an AU-owned computer (meaning that your computer was issued to you by the university), we can install SPSS and SAS on your hard drive. We can also help you map STATA from the network drive.

If you do not have an AU-owned computer, the only software we can install for you is SAS.

Unfortunately, we are not able to install SPSS or STATA on non-AU computers. If you are interested in purchasing STATA, you may do so online. Please keep in mind that the SSRL staff will not be able to install the program for you.

6.  How can I make a lab reservation?

Faculty, staff, and students can make lab reservations by emailing ssrl@american.edu. Please make sure to include which lab you would like to make the reservation, the time, date, and your contact information (name, email, and phone number) so that we can reach you if necessary. You will receive an email confirmation of your reservation.

7. Where can I submit scantrons for exam grading?

The SSRL no longer handles scantrons. If you are a faculty member or TA, you may drop off scantrons that need to be graded at the Blackboard Faculty Assistance office on the third floor of the Library. Please make sure that you include the answer key and that the ID section of each scantron is properly filled with a number.  In order to keep the scantrons organized, we encourage you to bring them in a large envelope.

8. Does SSRL provide scantrons?

No, we do not provide blank scantrons for exams. You may order scantrons through your respective department.

9.  Can I print documents in the lab?

Yes, the SSRL lab has a printer available for printing documents. The printers in each lab require the AU EagleBuck$ Card. Black-and-white printing is 10 cents per page, and reverse-side printing is available. Colored printing is one dollar per page and is available through the New Media Center, located on the second floor of Hurst.

10. I accidentally left something in the lab. Do the labs have a lost-and-found box?

The SSRL lab is not responsible for items that have gone missing or have been left behind by students who use our facilities.  If we find a lost item in our lab, we place them behind the consultant’s desk until the item is retrieved by its owner. If the item is not retrieved after two weeks, we transfer all lost items to AU Public Safety.