[OSWeb / JATOS] Keep getting Error Message
Hello,
I exported my OpenSesame experiment on JATOS successfully and everything runs fine except at the end my participants keeps getting an error message. At the end, participants are asked to press any key to complete the experiment) and they always receive this message.
In addition, during the experiment, participants would sometimes get this message.
Does anyone know why these two issues occur / how to fix these issues?
Thanks you,
So So
p.s. I wasn't sure if this was an OSWeb issue or JATOS issue but I posted there on OSWeb forum.
Comments
Hi So So,
The first error says that there was some kind of error during the study run with OSWeb. May I ask which version of OSWeb and JATOS you are using? There were some recent changes that might fix this already.
The second error message is only shown by JATOS if the someone tried to reload the page in the browser and this is by default not allowed in OSWeb studies. Is it possible that your participants press the browser's reload button? Usually they do this, when they think there is a problem with the page and their first impulse is to reload the page.
Best,
Kristian
Hi @kri
Thank you for your prompt reply. I am using the 3.2.8 because at the moment I am having trouble installing 3.3.0 (I have that inquired in OpenSesame forum and trying to work it out).
So you mean participants are able to reload the page when they press the reload button?
Cheers,
So So
Hi SoSo,
Updating to 3.3.0 might solve your issue already :)
So you mean participants are able to reload the page when they press the reload button?
No, by default OSWeb and JATOS do not allow reloads. But reloads can be allowed in JATOS' UI: https://www.jatos.org/Restricting-study-flow.html#allow-reload-or-prevent-a-reload-of-the-same-component.
Best,
Kristian
Hi @kri
Thanks for your prompt reply. So if I understood this correctly:
"Allow Reload" allows a participant to reload the page and let's say if they were on Trial 6, they just repeat Trial 6? And if that is the case, how would it look on results? Also, is it wise to change this setting while I have already launched the study (meaning participants already have the link)?
And unchecked "Linear Flow" means participants can hit back button and they go back to the previous trial (i.e., if they were on Trial 6, they go back to Trial 5)? If so, would the results for Trial 5 be overwritten or recorded twice (i.e., Trial 5, Trial 6, Trial 5)?
Thank you.
Hi SoSo,
First to say the trails in OSWeb to not correspond to components in JATOS. OSWeb puts everything (all trails) into one component.
A little explanation: In JATOS a study can have several components and a study run can move between those components in arbitrary ways: often they go linear from the first component to the last, but it's also possible to jump back and forth or do a loop. With the "Linear Flow" checkbox you only allow an linear moving form first to last. This prevents participants from just pressing the back button and go to a prior component. Then the "Allow Reload" allows participants reload the component. If it is not activated and one presses reload, they will get an error message and the study will be finished with an error.
But the whole JATOS study flow doesn't really apply on a OSWeb study. OSWeb studies have only one component in JATOS (unless you add another one by hand). So all trials happen in this one component. The "Linear Flow" checkbox won't change anything here. The "Allow Reload" will still work and allow or disallow reloads.
I would not allow reloads in your study. Usually there is no reason for a reload unless something doesn't work and the participant gets nervous and presses reload. But as I explained before then your participant has to do the whole study again from the beginning. I'd actually put some kind of warning in the beginning of the experiment not to press 'Reload'.
I think you have to figure out why your participants press the reload button and fix this. How is the update of your JATOS and your OpenSesame going on?
Best
Kristian