remote2020

A framework to present psychophysical stimuli in a peer-to-peer fashion.

At its most basic level, this framework allows one device to specify actions (typically a timeline of displaying visual elements) to be precisely displayed in a browser window (ideally fullscreen) on another device, with a way to transmit behavioral responses.

There are several specific use cases:

1. Vision science teaching labs (contrast sensitivity, dark adaptation, psychophysical methods)
2. Remote psychophysics experiments
3. Leveraging of javascript libraries and integrating with hardware

Requirements:

• For experiments in "low-level" vision:
  • Good control of timing of display elements
  • Good control of visual display
    • pixel-accurate
    • best possible luminance/contrast levels
  • Get responses

Why JavaScript?

• JavaScript really runs everywhere, (computers, phones, tablets), and is now built into all browsers. There is a lot of infrastructure (web-based games, 3-D libraries, debugging tools, etc.) Previously, I wrote experiments in Python & PsychoPy, which I loved, but how to then distribute these to other computers? It's not trivial.

Existing projects: Online Psychology Experiment-builders

There are a wealth of projects that allow simple design and execution of psychology experiment on the web. For example: Pavlovia, Gorilla, Lab.js, Testable, Tellab, etc.

I believe that our concerns are quite different.

• For our teaching labs, students needn't design experiments, but they are expected to be heavily engaged in the testing experience, gaining experience as both subject and as an experimenter. Thus the peer-to-peer aspect is essential.
• Recruitment, saving data, etc., is not an issue. For us that can be done in a peer-to-peer, more ad-hoc fashion. In fact, it may be advantageous (for IRB approval, etc.) to NOT be hosted on a server.
• We wanted very precise control of the stimuli, which wasn't obvious in some of the existing web-based solutions. I'm not a fan (and don't always see the benefit) of the GUI tools. They seem great for 80% of what one might want to do, then the last 20% becomes painful or impossible. Thus I didn't mind a fully javascript solution, especially since the tools built into browsers are really impressive.

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