On the choice of adequate randomization ranges for limiting the use of unwanted cues in same-different, dual-pair, and oddity tasks

Abstract

A major concern when designing a psychophysical experiment is that participants may use a stimulus feature (cue) other than that intended by the experimenter. One way to avoid this problem is to apply random variations to the corresponding feature across stimulus presentations to make the unwanted cue unreliable. An important question facing experimenters who use this randomization (roving) technique is how large the randomization range should be to ensure that the participants cannot achieve a certain proportion correct by using the unwanted cue, while at the same time avoiding unnecessary interference of the randomization with task performance. Previous researchers have provided formulas for the selection of adequate randomization ranges in yes-no and multiplealternative forced choice tasks. In this article, we provide figures and tables that can be used to select randomization ranges that are better suited to experiments involving a same-different, dual-pair, or oddity task. © 2010 The Psychonomic Society, Inc.