E-Prime (software)

Infobox_Software| name= E-Prime



caption = E-Studio interface
developer = Psychology Software Tools
latest_release_version = 2.0 RC
latest_release_date = September 01, 2007
operating_system = Microsoft Windows XP/Vista
genre = IDE
license = Proprietary
website = http://www.pstnet.com/

E-Prime is a software applications suite for conducting psychological and neuroscientific experiments, developed by Psychology Software Tools (PST) and first released in 1996. It offers control over almost every aspect of paradigm creation, and is temporally accurate to within a few milliseconds, a crucial aspect of control for many research needs. One of the benefits to E-Prime is its user base of over 10,000. As such, PST is able to direct the development of its product based on the feedback of a large group of users.

The E-Prime Application Suite

The E-Prime suite of applications gives the user control over every aspect inherent to data collection in a research study. The core system includes: E-Studio, E-Basic, E-Run, E-Merge, E-DataAid, and E-Recovery.

E-Studio

E-Studio is program used for paradigm creation. Here users will define the temporal layout of their study, as well as define all parameters they want included within each subject's dataset.

E-Basic

For those users who require more advanced capabilities than be obtained through the E-Studio graphical interface, the E-Basic programming language - nearly identical to Microsoft's Visual Basic for Applications - is available. Using this language, users can implement highly complex paradigms and record measurements from virtually any aspect of the program.

E-Run

This program is installed on the testing computer (the computer with which the subject will interact) and actually compiles and runs the paradigm created earlier.

E-Merge

From the PST website:

This application allows you to quickly and easily combine your single session data files into multi-session data files. E-Merge also keeps a history on each data file. This is particularly useful in order to determine which files have been merged along with the date and location of each data file.

E-DataAid

When a subject successfully completes an experimental run, E-Prime saves the data from that experiment in a specialized file. Using E-DataAid, users can view the data that was saved from the experimental run in a manner convenient for statistical analysis. E-DataAid offers the user the ability to calculate descriptive statistical information, as well as export the data to other statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, Excel).

E-Recovery

Sometimes users abort a session in the middle of a trial, or possibly a computer glitch might cause the experiment to be interrupted. In such a situation, users can use this program to recover some of the information that was gathered already.

User Experience

E-Prime is widely regarded as the de facto standard for behavioral experiment generation. [cite web|url=http://lpl.ucsd.edu/LabPage/Lab_Blog/B1A6A7D2-0069-41E3-89E9-B3683FEEC758.html|title=Behavioral Experiment Software Survey|accessdate=2007-09-05] According to the Psychology Software Tools, Inc. web site, E-Prime has a user base well over 10,000. This makes it easy for users to share experiments, tips, and ideas via a variety of message boards dedicated to the software (see external links).

Due to high demand, PST has distributed a Release Candidate version of E-Prime 2.0. This software includes many upgrades and improvements such as the ability to present video stimuli, record vocal responses, and copy and paste E-Objects between experiments. A full release of the software is expected some time in 2008.

External links

* [http://support.pstnet.com/forum/ Psychology Software Tools User Forum] - Discuss E-Prime and other PST products.
* [http://step.psy.cmu.edu/ System for teaching experimental psychology] - Scripts sample for E-prime

References

Internet