WebExp: Features
WebExp provides for the specification of experiments and thus is not
restricted to particular paradigms. The experimenter can design experiments based on a sequential,
questionnaire (Stimulus/Response) framework, with control over timing, subject responses, and faulty data.
The specification language is XML-based, providing for simple validation
and transformation of both experimental designs and results, and making it
relatively legible to a non-technical user.
Basic features
- User-defined experimental designs
- Template designs for repetitive experiments
- Separation of form and content
- Response timing - monitor the onset and duration of responses
- Stimulus timing - specify the time a stimulus is displayed
- Control over font properties, alignment and positioning
- UTF support, allowing the display of different character sets
- Simple questionnaire navigation - tab between fields, press return in a field to advance
- A variety of stimulus types:
- Text
- Images (with preloading)
- Audio (with preloading)
- A variety of response types:
- Text inputs (with input constraints)
- Selections (radio buttons and lists)
- Buttons
- Key/mouse input
- Security for user information and data, for both server and client
- Data management and storage
- Multiple experimenters can share the same server, allowing
a single setup to be shared by a class of students.
Enhanced control features
- Free randomisation
- Blocked randomisation (between and within blocks)
- Ability to make individual input fields mandatory
- Progress indications for experiment progress
- Persistence of subject input - arbitrary input can affect, and be used in,
subsequent sections of the experiment
Robustness
- Comprehensive logging for both client and server, recording potential and actual
problems, and allowing variable levels of logging
- Simplified server setup and management
- Simplified specification of randomisation constraints
Future enhancements
- Validation/authentication of users, data, experimental design
- Improved data management and storage
- New types of stimulus - video and potentially other media
- New types of response, improved input restrictions
- Automated randomisation & counter-balancing based on the experimental description
- Timing control - manipulate (delay or limit) the appearance of stimuli
- Control over subject dropout, experiment interruptions and partial results
- Full screen display to eliminate background distraction; disallow switching to other programs or windows
- Monitor the subject for dropout or loss of focus such as window-switching
- Reconnect and/or return partial results if the connection is reset
- Automatic handling of invalid or incomplete response data
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