How to add counterbalancing to a study

PsychStudent10

I am using a pattern separation task, for which there are 6 versions prebuilt into the main coding.

In the study, participants will come in for a visit and complete the tests, then have a study drink, and then complete the test again. This is repeated across 3 visits (so they complete the test 6 times). I am looking for a way to counterbalance these 6 versions, so the participant doesn't complete the same version twice.

Normally in other software I use, we can just create 6 versions of the test and load them up individually using batch sessions. But, for JATOS I am struggling to find a way to create this.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

elisa

Hi PsychStudent10,

There are a few different ways you could do this, especially if you want to make this happen automatically. But because you are testing in person, and because it sounds like it's possible for you to simply create 6 versions of your task, then you can also do that in JATOS.

In your place I would:

• Create a study that is formed of separate components, one component for each variation of the task. That's your first version.
• Clone your study 5 additional times, and reorder your components so that each study follows the order you want.
• When participants come to the lab, you can simply give them the appropriate link. Which link goes to which person, you'd determine manually.

Does this answer your question?

Elisa

PsychStudent10

Hey Elisa. Yeah that helps! I was wondering if I could just clone the study, but wasn't sure if it affected the UUID - but I realise now that it creates a new one which is great.

If I was to make this happen automatically, how would I be able to do this? Do I need to add in additional code for batch sessions, and determining which participant ID had already done a specific study version? If that made sense.

I've managed to do the cloning version for the time being!

Thankyou

elisa

Hi, yes, that's exactly what you'd need. You can search for 'randomise' in the example pages https://www.jatos.org/Example-Studies and you'll find two studies that might help as templates

PsychStudent10

Legend! Thank you. I will go through those examples now and dig out the appropriate code

Thank you for your swift response