Getting more from accuracy and response time data: methods for fitting the linear ballistic accumulator.
Cognitive models of the decision process provide greater insight into response time and accuracy than do standard ANOVA techniques. However, such models can be mathematically and computationally difficult to apply. We provide instructions and computer code for three methods for estimating the parameters of the linear ballistic accumulator (LBA), a new and computationally tractable model of decisions between two or more choices. These methods-a Microsoft Excel worksheet, scripts for the statistical program R, and code for implementation of the LBA into the Bayesian sampling software WinBUGS-vary in their flexibility and user accessibility. We also provide scripts in R that produce a graphical summary of the data and model predictions. In a simulation study, we explored the effect of sample size on parameter recovery for each method. The materials discussed in this article may be downloaded as a supplement from http://brm.psychonomic-journals.org/content/supplemental.
Donkin
Chris
C
University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia. chris.donkin@newcastle.edu.au
Averell
Lee
L
Brown
Scott
S
Heathcote
Andrew
A
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016014:Linear Models; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D018401:Sample Size; D012984:Software