User`s guide

E-Prime User’s Guide

Chapter 2: Using E-Studio

Page 11

This chapter describes the general methods of implementing an experiment in E-Prime. Note,

Appendix B-Considerations in Research provides an overview of experimental research concepts

without reference to E-Prime. This chapter assumes the user has worked through the concepts

of experimental design and the Getting Started Guides for each of the applications within E-

Prime. The user should, by now, have a basic understanding of E-Prime, and general knowledge

concerning working in a Windows application. This chapter is appropriate to read before

implementing the first experiment from scratch.

2.1 Getting Started

To program a good experiment, clearly conceptualize the experiment before implementing it in E-

Studio. Clearly state what variables are to be manipulated, what the experimental procedures

are, what data will be collected, and how the data will be analyzed (“how to” explanations of the

preceding items are to follow in this chapter). Conceptualizing the experiment will save time and

create better research. Too many times, an experiment is run and data collected before the

analysis is fully visualized.

2.1.1 Design the experiment in stages

There is an enormous amount of detail in any experiment. It is often best to design the

experiment in a series of stages, each containing a few steps. This substantially speeds

development and reduces errors. It is best to design a stage, then implement and test that stage

before implementing the next stage. Experiencing a few trials helps to conceptualize and plan

the other segments of the experiment. The recommended stages of implementing an experiment

are:

Conceptualize and implement the core experimental procedure

Elaborate the Trial procedure

Add all the trial conditions to the experiment

Add blocks and block conditions

Set sampling frequency, selection method, and number of samples

Add special functions – cumulative timing, practice blocks

Test the experiment

Run the experiment

Perform basic data analysis

Archive experiments and results

Research program development – modify experiments, send experiments to colleagues, develop

libraries

We will go through each of the stages sequentially. We recommend designing and implementing

an experiment in stages. Note, it might be good to try to answer most of the design questions

(see Stage 1 below) before implementing the experiment. Whether the design is done before

implementing the experiment or as the experiment is being implemented, we recommend actually

performing the implementation in stages.