Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Created: November 20, 2012
Last Modified: June 24, 2026 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Script Copyright © Millisecond Software, LLC
This script implements the Number Series Task, a measure of pattern recognition/inductive reasoning and fluid intelligence.
The implemented procedure is based on Redick et al (2012).
Redick, T.S., Shipstead, Z., Fried, D.E., Hambrick, D.Z., Kane, M.J. & Engle, R.W. (2012). No Evidence of Intelligence Improvement After Working Memory Training: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1-21.
https://englelab.gatech.edu/articles/2013/redick-et-al-20132c-wm-training2c-jepg.pdf
5 minutes
Participants work on 5 number series questions within a specified time frame (default: 4.5min). The number series questions are multiple choice with 5 answer choices.
The script presents 5 number series trials (block.numberseries)
Each trial presents a target number series and 5 answer choices. After participants select their choice via mouse-click/touch,
the selection gets briefly highlighted before the next trial starts.
There are 5 practice problems before the actual test starts.
There are 4.5 min allotted to finish block.numberseries (default, can be changed under
VALUES -> EDITABLE PARAMETERS). A clock on the screen counts down the min/s for the participants.
60s (default, can be changed under VALUES -> EDITABLE PARAMETERS) before the 4.5 min are up,
a red circle appears around the clock to highlight the remaining time.
Stimuli can be edited under section Editable STIMULI
Instructions can be edited under section Editable INSTRUCTIONS in script 'numberseries_instructions_inc.iqjs'
File Name: numberseries_summary*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| startDate | Date the session was run |
| startTime | Time the session was run |
| subjectId | Participant ID |
| groupId | Group number |
| sessionId | Session number |
| elapsedTime | Session duration in ms |
| inquisit.version | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| computer.touch | 0 = device has no touchscreen capabilities; 1 = device has touchscreen capabilities |
| computer.hasKeyboard | 0 = no external keyboard detected; 1 = external keyboard detected |
| completed | 0 = Test was not completed 1 = Test was completed |
| parameters- taskduration | Time alloted to the entire task in ms (default: 270000ms = 4.5min) |
| numCorrect | Sum up all correct responses |
File Name: numberseries_raw*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| date | Date the session was run |
| time | Time the session was run |
| subject | Participant ID |
| group | Group number |
| session | Session number |
| build | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| computer.touch | 0 = device has no touchscreen capabilities; 1 = device has touchscreen capabilities |
| computer.hasKeyboard | 0 = no external keyboard detected; 1 = external keyboard detected |
| blockcode | The name the current block (built-in Inquisit variable) |
| blocknum | The number of the current block (built-in Inquisit variable) |
| trialcode | The name of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable) |
| trialnum | The number of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable) trialnum is a built-in Inquisit variable; it counts all trials run even those that do not store data to the data file. |
| parameters- taskduration | Time alloted to the entire task (default: 270000ms = 4.5min) |
| stimulusItem.1-stimulusItem.3 | The presented stimuli in order of trial presentation |
| choice1-choice5 | Contain the stimuli for the 5 choices |
| correctChoice | Contains the index of the correct choice for each target |
| response | The participant's response |
| correct | The correctness of the response (1 = correct; 0 = incorrect) |
| latency | The response latency (in ms) |
| numCorrect | Sum up all correct responses |
The procedure can be adjusted by setting the following parameters.
| Name | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
Timing Parameters |
||
| taskDuration | Time alloted to the entire task in ms | 270000 |
| timeReminder | A red circle appears around the clock at this time to highlight how much time is left in ms | 60000 |