Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Created: January 20, 2012
Last Modified: January 31, 2023 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, 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://longevity3.stanford.edu/brainhealth/files/2013/04/Redick-et-al-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,
the selection gets briefly highlighted before the next trial starts.
There are 5 practice problems before the actual test starts.
Timer:
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
File Name: numberseries_summary*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| inquisit.version | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| build | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| date | Date the session was run |
| time | Time the session was run |
| subject | Participant ID |
| group | Group number |
| session | Session number |
| blockCode | Name of the current block |
| blockNum | Number of the current block |
| trialCode | Name of the current trial |
| trialNum | Number of the current trial |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| taskDuration | Time alloted to the entire task in ms | 270000ms = 4.5min |
| timeReminder | A red circle appears around the clock at this time to highlight how much time is left in ms (default: 60000ms = 1min left) |