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Toward an Experimental Timing Standards Lab: benchmarking precision in the real world
Richard R Plant1, Nick Hammond, Tom Whitehouse
1Department of Psychology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, England. r.plant@psych.york.ac.uk
Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers : a Journal of the Psychonomic Society, Inc
|July 12, 2002
Summary
Researchers can now precisely measure real-time data collection timing on their own experimental setups. This millisecond precision test rig validates timing accuracy in situ, enhancing experimental reliability.
Area of Science:
- Computer Science
- Experimental Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Real-time data collection platforms and operating systems are widely discussed for their performance.
- Current research often focuses on theoretical timing precision, neglecting practical, in-situ validation.
- Researchers need confidence in their specific experimental paradigms' timing accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a test rig for measuring millisecond precision in real-time data collection.
- To enable researchers to validate timing accuracy within their own experimental setups.
- To bridge the gap between theoretical performance and practical experimental needs.
Main Methods:
- Development of a specialized hardware and software test rig.
- The rig controls and times experiments on a secondary presentation machine.
- Focus on in-situ validation without modifying existing experimental paradigms.
Main Results:
- Successful development of a millisecond precision test rig.
- Demonstration of the rig's capability to control and time experiments accurately.
- Elucidation of the approach's importance for real-world experimentation.
Conclusions:
- The developed test rig provides a practical solution for validating real-time data collection timing.
- Researchers can now establish confidence limits for their specific experimental paradigms.
- This approach enhances the reliability and validity of real-world experimental research.