Long1 Specs
Two studies, differences noted.
Names: “Facts 101” and “Pictures 101”
Goal:
Examine long-term retention of information presented in a classroom setting. Model learning and forgetting functions.
Experimental conditions:
Four groups of twenty subjects who are naďve to the stimuli.
Group Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4
1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 + t
2 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 3 + t
3 Day 1 Day 8 Day 15 Day 15 + t
4 Day 1 Day 29 Day 57 Day 57 + t
t ~ 6 months
Presentation will be in a classroom using a video projector hooked to a computer. Audio will be presented through speakers attached to the computer. Minimum group size is X subjects and maximum is Y subjects. Each subject will complete the whole experiment in the same classroom.
For “Facts 101” choose a subset of 20 obscure facts which will be used throughout the study. Likewise, choose 20 obscure pictures for “Pictures 101” used throughout. “Pictures 101” will include four multiple choices on screen. The top left of the screen will contain the item number (“Item 1” to “Item 20”). Pictures will be presented on the right side, centered, and are variable in size. Multiple choices will be presented on the left side, centered. Facts will be presented in the center of the screen. Every presentation will use a new random ordering of items and multiple choices. This ordering is different for every session and every test. This ordering should be hard coded in the software so it remains the same every time the program is run. Throughout the experiment, every item will be preceded by audio and visual presentations of the word “ready” for 1.5 seconds.
Experiments and sessions should be separate programs. Experiments will be run consecutively, beginning with “Facts 101” each session. Programs will be named “Pictures 101 Session 1,” “Facts 101 Session 3” and the like.
First session:
Audio and visual instructions will be presented, as follows:
“Facts 101”
Please turn to the sample test page.
Over the course of “Facts 101” you will learn twenty new facts. In the last session, you will be asked to recall the facts, so please pay attention to each item. You will be given multiple tests, with feedback, to help you learn the items.
Your test booklet has a number of pages. Please change pages when asked, and do not go back to a previous page. Space is provided for notes on the right side of each page. Answers to items should be made on the left side, in the boxes provided. Please answer every item on every test. There is no penalty for an incorrect guess. In the box for the current item, you should write the correct answer. Do not write in this box after the item has been tested. If you want to note the correct answer, please do so in the space for notes, not in the space with your answer. For each test, items are presented in a new random order. If you get out of order, just resume using the correct item number, on the top left of the screen, and make a note on your answer sheet.
If you have any questions, please ask now or between tests.
“Pictures 101”
Please turn to the sample test page.
Over the course of “Pictures 101” you will learn to identify the names of twenty pictures. In the last session, you will be asked to recall the names of all the pictures, so please pay attention to each item. You will be given multiple tests, with feedback, to help you learn the items.
Your test booklet has a number of pages. Please change pages when asked, and do not go back to a previous page. Space is provided for notes on the right side of each page. Answers to items should be made on the left side, in the boxes provided. Please answer every item on every test. There is no penalty for an incorrect guess. In the box for the current item, you should circle the correct answer. Do not write in this box after the item has been tested. If you want to note the correct answer, please do so in the space for notes, not in the space with your answer. For each test, items and choices are presented in a new random order, so please read each item choice. If you get out of order, just resume using the correct item number, on the top left of the screen, and make a note on your answer sheet.
If you have any questions, please ask now or between tests.
Box to click “okay” to go on.
Audio and visual instructions:
“Facts 101”
To begin, we would like to know how many facts you already know. Please try and guess the answer to every item, even if you are unsure. If you have no idea at all you may put a question mark in the box. Good luck!
“Pictures 101”
To begin, we would like to know how many pictures you can recognize. Please guess the answer to every item, even if you are unsure. Good luck!
Box to click “okay” to go on.
Present each stimulus (15?) seconds (long enough to read the item or choices and write an answer). For facts, present the questions rather than the facts themselves. For pictures, present the picture along with multiple choices. No feedback is given. This provides us initial baseline performance. For pictures, audio will give a basic fact about the picture.
Box to click “okay” to go on.
Then there will be initial item training. Present each item (15?) seconds (the actual facts or the pictures with the correct answer only).
Box to click “okay” to go on.
Next, there will be three consecutive training blocks, with the experimenter clicking to go on after each one.
“Facts 101”
Audio and visual instructions:
Please turn to the page for Facts 101, Session X, Test X. Write the correct answer in the box provided. Do not mark in this box after the item is presented. If you want to note the correct answer, please do so in the space for notes, not in the space with your answer. Remember, try to answer every item, even if you are guessing. If you get out of order, just resume using the correct item number and note the problem.
Present each question (15?) seconds and then the correct answer (10?) seconds.
“Pictures 101”
Audio and visual instructions:
Please turn to the page for Pictures 101, Session X, Test X. To answer, circle the letter for the correct answer. Do not mark in this box after the item is presented. If you want to note the correct answer, please do so in the space for notes, not in the space with your answer. Remember, answer every item, even if you are guessing. If you get out of order, just resume using the correct item number and note the problem.
Present each picture and multiple choices (15?) seconds and the answer (10?) seconds.
Second and third sessions:
Repeat as in Session 1 using four tests and omitting the pretest. All four are learning tests.
Last session:
Retention test.
Facts have only one test and no feedback. Pictures have two tests, the first recall and the second multiple choice. Neither test has feedback.
“Facts 101”
Audio and visual instructions:
Please turn to the page for Facts 101, Session X, Test X. Write the correct answer in the box provided. Do not mark in this box after the item is presented. Please answer every item, even if you are guessing. If you get out of order, just resume using the correct item number and note the problem.
Present each question (15?) seconds.
“Pictures 101”
Audio and visual instructions:
Please turn to the page for Pictures 101, Session X, Test X. This time you must recall the names of all the pictures. Write the correct answer in the box provided. Do not mark in this box after the item is presented. Please answer every item, even if you are guessing. If you get out of order, just resume using the correct item number and note the problem.
Present each picture (15?) seconds.
Audio and visual instructions:
Please turn to the page for Pictures 101, Session X, Test X. This time you will be given multiple choices to choose from. To answer, circle the letter for the correct answer. Do not mark in this box after the item is presented. Remember, answer every item, even if you are guessing. If you get out of order, just resume using the correct item number and note the problem.
Present each picture (15?) seconds.
Test booklet pages:
All test booklet pages include the subject number, in case they get mixed up and so we can remove pages after each session. The first page contains the person’s name and subject number and will be destroyed after collecting data. This is so we can hand out packets accurately before beginning each session. There are separate booklets for facts and pictures. Each page is labeled with experiment, session, and test number.
Facts:
Page 1: Name and Subject Number
Page 2: Sample Test Page
Page 3: Pretest
Pages 4-6: Session 1, Tests 1-3
Page7: Sample Test Page
Pages 8-11: Session 2, Tests 1-4
Page 12: Sample Test Page
Pages 13-16: Session 3, Tests 1-4
Page 17: Sample Test Page
Page 18: Final Recall Page
Pictures:
Page 1: Name or Subject Number
Page 2: Sample Test Page
Page 3: Pretest
Pages 4-6: Session 1, Tests 1-3
Page7: Sample Test Page
Pages 8-11: Session 2, Tests 1-4
Page 12: Sample Test Page
Pages 13-16: Session 3, Tests 1-4
Page 17: Sample Test Page
Page 18: Final Recall Page
Page 19: Final Recognition Page