计算机化心理学实验中的时间精度问题——以E-Prime为例

The Timing Technology in Computerized Psychological Experiments——Taking E-Prime for Example

在计算机化心理学实验中,获得精确计时是关键问题。电脑硬件、操作系统及实验程序等均可能导致计时误差。本文以心理学研究中应用较广的E-Prime软件为例,探讨在心理学实验中实现精确计时的原理和具体操作方法。实验者可通过选择合适的电脑硬件,设置恰当的硬件参数,根据具体的实验要求设置程序的计时参数,优化实验程序,在高优先级下运行程序,并测试和检查计时数据等一系列措施,有效地提高实验的时间精度,得到符合要求的精确数据。

In computerized psychological experiments, acquiring accurate timing data is critical. Timing errors may result from the performance of hardware, operating system and experiment programs. This paper took E-Prime as an example to discuss the principles and processes for accurate timing. Researchers can increase the timing precision by choosing appropriate hardware, installing proper index, setting specific timing parameters, optimizing experiment programs, assigning the programs at high priority and inspecting the timing data.