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MATH EFFORT TASK (MET)
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Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Date: 03-02-2017
last updated: 03-10-2020 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Script Copyright © 03-10-2020 Millisecond Software
Millisecond Software thanks Karolin Gieseler for her help with this script!
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BACKGROUND INFO
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This script implements the Math Effort Task based on:
Engle-Friedman, M., Riela, S., Golan, R., Ventuneac, A. M., Davis, C. M., Jefferson, A. D. and Major, D. (2003).
The effect of sleep loss on next day effort. Journal of Sleep Research, 12: 113–124.
doi:10.1046/j.1365-2869.2003.00351.x
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TASK DESCRIPTION
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Participants work through 100 addition problems. Each problem consists of 4 numbers
(default; possible range: 2-5 digits) that are flashed onto the screen one-by-one and participants
are asked to add the numbers in their head.
Once the last number is erased, a textbox is provided to collect the participants' responses.
The max duration for this sequence (start of number presentation to clicking the submit button)
is ~15s by default (for 4 numbers).
The numbers for each problem are selected randomly but differ in their level of difficulty.
Level 1: numbers are randomly selected from 1-3
Level 2: numbers are randomly selected from 3–9;
Level 3: numbers are randomly selected from 7–15;
Level 4: numbers are randomly selected from 7–25;
Level 5: numbers are randomly selected from 7–35.
The level of difficulty is under the participant's control. By default, participants select
a level of difficulty for a batch of 5 problems. Nevertheless, after each problem they get
the option to change their selection of difficulty. Once changed, the new level again applies to the
next 5 problems by default.
No feedback is provided during the task but the program keeps track of performance and
calculates a final performance score that weighs the number of correct solutions by
the problems' respective levels of difficulty.
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DURATION
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the default set-up of the script takes appr. 20 minutes to complete
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DATA FILE INFORMATION
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The default data stored in the data files are:
(1) Raw data file: 'mathefforttask_raw*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)*
build: The specific Inquisit version used (the 'build') that was run
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
date, time, date and time script was run
subject, group, with the current subject/groupnumber
script.sessionid: with the current session id
blockcode, blocknum: the name and number of the current block (built-in Inquisit variable)
trialcode, trialnum: the name and number of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable)
Note: trialnum is a built-in Inquisit variable; it counts all trials run; even those
that do not store data to the data file such as feedback trials. Thus, trialnum
may not reflect the number of main trials run per block.
values.nrDigits: stores the number of digits presented (possible range: 2-5)
values.countTotalTrials: tally of the number of test problems run
values.currentLevel: stores the level of difficulty of the current problem
values.countTrialsCurrentLevel: tally of the number of trials run in the current batch
values.number1: stores the number selected for number1 (random selection)
values.number2: stores the number selected for number2 (random selection)
values.number3: stores the number selected for number3 (random selection)
Note: if fewer than 3 digits are presented, number3 = 0
values.number4: stores the number selected for number4 (random selection)
Note: if fewer than 4 digits are presented, number4 = 0
values.number5: stores the number selected for number5 (random selection)
Note: if fewer than 5 digits are presented, number5 = 0
values.solution: stores the correct solution to the current addition problem
values.currentResponse: stores the response to the current addition problem
values.ACC: 1: correct response provided; 0 = otherwise
values.rt: stores the latency of responding; measured from onset of textbox until "continue" button is pressed
values.changeLevel: 1 = participant opted to make a (potential) level change; 0 = otherwise
values.countLevelChange: tallies the number of level changes
values.countLevel1: tally of level 1 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel1: tally of level 1 problems correctly solved
values.countLevel2: tally of level 2 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel2: tally of level 2 problems correctly solved
values.countLevel3: tally of level 3 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel3: tally of level 3 problems correctly solved
values.countLevel4: tally of level 4 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel4: tally of level 4 problems correctly solved
values.countLevel5: tally of level 5 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel5: tally of level 5 problems correctly solved
(2) Summary data file: 'mathefforttask_summary*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)*
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
script.startdate: date script was run
script.starttime: time script was started
script.subjectid: assigned subject id number
script.groupid: assigned group id number
script.sessionid: assigned session id number
script.elapsedtime: time it took to run script (in ms); measured from onset to offset of script
script.completed: 0 = script was not completed (prematurely aborted);
1 = script was completed (all conditions run)
values.nrDigits: stores the number of digits presented (possible range: 2-5)
values.countTotalTrials: tally of the number of test problems run
expressions.METScore: final METScore, calculated by adjusting the number of correctly solved problems on each level by
the difficulty factor of that level:
difficulty factor for level 5 => 5/5 = 1
difficulty factor for level 4 => 4/5 = 0.8
difficulty factor for level 3 => 3/5 = 0.6
difficulty factor for level 2 => 2/5 = 0.4
difficulty factor for level 1 => 1/5 = 0.2
MES_score =
(correct solutions to level 5 problems x 1) +
(correct solutions to level 4 problems x 0.8) +
(correct solutions to level 3 problems x 0.6) +
(correct solutions to level 2 problems x 0.4) +
(correct solutions to level 1 problems x 0.2)
values.countLevelChange: tallies the number of level changes
values.countLevel1: tally of level 1 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel1: tally of level 1 problems correctly solved
values.countLevel2: tally of level 2 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel2: tally of level 2 problems correctly solved
values.countLevel3: tally of level 3 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel3: tally of level 3 problems correctly solved
values.countLevel4: tally of level 4 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel4: tally of level 4 problems correctly solved
values.countLevel5: tally of level 5 problems attempted
values.countcorrectLevel5: tally of level 5 problems correctly solved
* separate data files: to change to one data file for all participants (on Inquisit Lab only), go to section
"DATA" and follow further instructions
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EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
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1. Intro Block with a demonstration of a problem taken from each of the five levels of difficulties.
2. Test Block: 100 trials (default)
- at the start of the test block, participants select the default level of difficulty that automatically
applies to the next 5 (default) problems UNLESS participant opts to change level sooner.
- numbers are selected randomly with replacement from the level-corresponding pools of numbers
Problem Sequence: Max duration: ~15s (default)
GetReady (ITI: 1000ms) ->
Start of Problem: Number1 (800ms)->
ISI (500ms) ->
Number2 (800ms)->
ISI (500ms) ->
Number3** (800ms)->
ISI (500ms) ->
Number4** (800ms)->
textbox* ->
*During the test, participants also receive a second question that allows them to change the level
of difficulty for the next question(s)
** Experimenter can set how many digits should be presented under section Editable Parameters
Number Selections:
Level 1: numbers are randomly selected from 1-3
Level 2: numbers are randomly selected from 3–9;
Level 3: numbers are randomly selected from 7–15;
Level 4: numbers are randomly selected from 7–25;
Level 5: numbers are randomly selected from 7–35.
Scoring Algorithm (suggested by Millisecond Software):
The number of correctly solved problems at each of the 5 levels are weighted by their level of difficulty
and summed up:
MES_score =
(correct solutions to level 5 problems x 1) +
(correct solutions to level 4 problems x 0.8) +
(correct solutions to level 3 problems x 0.6) +
(correct solutions to level 2 problems x 0.4) +
(correct solutions to level 1 problems x 0.2)
The highest possible score (with 100 test problems): 100
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STIMULI
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Number presented in Arial, black on white, in the middle of the screen.
Size is proportional to the canvas height (default: 15%, can be set under section Editable Parameters)
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INSTRUCTIONS
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instructions are not original to Engle-Friedman et al (2003).
They are provided by Millisecond Software and can be edited under section Editable Instructions.
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EDITABLE CODE
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check below for (relatively) easily editable parameters, stimuli, instructions etc.
Keep in mind that you can use this script as a template and therefore always "mess" with the entire code
to further customize your experiment.
The parameters you can change are:
/numberSize: the size of the presented numbers proportional to the canvas height (default: 15%)
/numberDuration: the time (in ms) that each number is visible (default: 800ms)
/ISI: the interstimulus interval (white screen) that is presented after the first three numbers (default: 500ms)
/RW: the max. Duration (in ms) the textbox is provided to submit the response.
Note: the max.trialduration (measured from onset of first number to removal of testbox):
default: 4700ms + 10300ms = 15000ms
4700ms => the duration of the number presentation sequence for 4 numbers (4700ms = 4*800 + 3*500)
/ITI: the intertrial interval (the duration of the 'get ready') in ms (default: 1000ms)
/maxNrTrials: the maximum number of test trials (default: 100)
/numberBatchedProblems: the number of problems in a default problem batch (default: 5)
/presentFinalScore: true (1): the final score is presented to the participant at the end of this script (default)
false (0): the final score is not presented to the participant at the end of this script
/numberOfDigits: the number of digits that should be presented (possible range 2-5)
Note: numbers outside the possible range get automatically adjusted to be either 2 or 5