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Related Concept Videos

Accuracy and Precision01:52

Accuracy and Precision

Scientists typically make repeated measurements of a quantity to ensure the quality of their findings and to evaluate both the precision and the accuracy of their results. Measurements are said to be precise if they yield very similar results when repeated in the same manner. A measurement is considered accurate if it yields a result that is very close to the true or the accepted value. Precise values agree with each other; accurate values agree with a true value.  Highly accurate measurements...
Accuracy and Precision01:52

Accuracy and Precision

Scientists typically make repeated measurements of a quantity to ensure the quality of their findings and to evaluate both the precision and the accuracy of their results. Measurements are said to be precise if they yield very similar results when repeated in the same manner. A measurement is considered accurate if it yields a result that is very close to the true or the accepted value. Precise values agree with each other; accurate values agree with a true value.  Highly accurate measurements...
Uncertainty in Measurement: Accuracy and Precision03:37

Uncertainty in Measurement: Accuracy and Precision

Scientists typically make repeated measurements of a quantity to ensure the quality of their findings and to evaluate both the precision and the accuracy of their results. Measurements are said to be precise if they yield very similar results when repeated in the same manner. A measurement is considered accurate if it yields a result that is very close to the true or the accepted value. Precise values agree with each other; accurate values agree with a true value.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Enabling High Grayscale Resolution Displays and Accurate Response Time Measurements on Conventional Computers
06:50

Enabling High Grayscale Resolution Displays and Accurate Response Time Measurements on Conventional Computers

Published on: February 29, 2012

Response time accuracy in Apple Macintosh computers.

Ian Neath1, Avery Earle, Darcy Hallett

  • 1Psychology Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada. ineath@mun.ca

Behavior Research Methods
|March 19, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Response times (RTs) using standard USB keyboards on computers are reliable but can be delayed by up to 100 ms. Keyboard accuracy varies, impacting research suitability for precise measurements.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Accurate response time (RT) measurement is crucial for psychological and neuroscience research.
  • Standard computer hardware, like Apple iMacs with USB keyboards, is increasingly used for data collection.
  • Understanding the limitations of such systems is essential for data integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the accuracy and variability of response times (RTs) collected using standard Apple Macintosh computers and USB keyboards.
  • To determine the reliability and potential systematic errors in RT measurements obtained with consumer-grade hardware.
  • To identify conditions that optimize RT accuracy for research applications.

Main Methods:

  • A photodiode system was employed to detect screen luminosity changes, triggering a solenoid to press a USB keyboard key.
  • Response times were recorded using stock Apple iMac computers and various USB keyboards.
  • Stimuli presentation was synchronized with a CRT monitor's refresh rate using Psychtoolbox for optimal accuracy.

Main Results:

  • Response times were reliable but could exhibit systematic delays up to 100 ms.
  • The standard deviation of measured RTs ranged from 2.5 to 10 ms, approximating a normal distribution.
  • Significant accuracy differences, up to 20 ms, were observed between different Apple-branded USB keyboards.
  • Using an external CRT with synchronized presentation yielded the most accurate RTs.

Conclusions:

  • Stock iMacs with USB keyboards can detect RT differences as small as 5-10 ms under optimized conditions.
  • Researchers must carefully consider hardware limitations when designing studies requiring precise RT measurements.
  • The findings inform decisions about the suitability of consumer-grade computer systems for specific research paradigms.