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Adobe Flash as a medium for online experimentation: a test of reaction time measurement capabilities

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Reimers, Stian and Stewart, Neil, 1974-. (2007) Adobe Flash as a medium for online experimentation: a test of reaction time measurement capabilities. Behavior Research Methods, Vol.39 (No.3). pp. 365-370. ISSN 1554-351X

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/BF03193004

Abstract

Adobe Flash can be used to run complex psychological experiments over the Web. We examined the reliability of using Flash to measure reaction times (RTs) using a simple binary-choice task implemented both in Flash and in a Linux-based system known to record RTs with millisecond accuracy. Twenty-four participants were tested in the laboratory using both implementations; they also completed the Flash version on computers of their own choice outside the lab. RTs from the trials run on Flash outside the lab were approximately 20 msec slower than those from trials run on Flash in the lab, which in turn were approximately 10 msec slower than RTs from the trials run on the Linux-based system (baseline condition). RT SDs were similar in all conditions, suggesting that although Flash may overestimate RTs slightly, it does not appear to add significant noise to the data recorded.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Psychological apperatus, Adobe Systems, Psychology, Experimental, Internet research
Journal or Publication Title:	Behavior Research Methods
Publisher:	Psychonomic Society, Inc.
ISSN:	1554-351X
Date:	August 2007
Volume:	Vol.39
Number:	No.3
Number of Pages:	6
Page Range:	pp. 365-370
Identification Number:	10.3758/BF03193004
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	HSBC Bank
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/613