Methods to test visual attention online.
Online data collection methods have particular appeal to behavioral scientists because they offer the promise of much larger and much more representative data samples than can typically be collected on college campuses. However, before such methods can be widely adopted, a number of technological challenges must be overcome--in particular in experiments where tight control over stimulus properties is necessary. Here we present methods for collecting performance data on two tests of visual attention. Both tests require control over the visual angle of the stimuli (which in turn requires knowledge of the viewing distance, monitor size, screen resolution, etc.) and the timing of the stimuli (as the tests involve either briefly flashed stimuli or stimuli that move at specific rates). Data collected on these tests from over 1,700 online participants were consistent with data collected in laboratory-based versions of the exact same tests. These results suggest that with proper care, timing/stimulus size dependent tasks can be deployed in web-based settings.
Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester; ayung@cvs.rochester.edu.
Amanda
A
Yung
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva.
Pedro
P
Cardoso-Leite
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Gillian
G
Dale
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester.
Daphne
D
Bavelier
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
C Shawn
CS
Green
D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*