Overview
The SlideSlider sub-object may be added to a Slide to allow presentation of a variety of survey-type stimuli (e.g., Likert scale, multiple choice/multiple selection/bipolar questionnaires). The SlideSlider sub-object will vertically and horizontally center its drawing components within the frame defining the size of the sub-object (see Frame below). Individual components of the SlideSlider (e.g., axis, tick marks, labels) may be configured using the property pages.
When an input mask is enabled on the parent object (i.e., Slide or FeedbackDisplay), the SlideSlider sub-object may be used as a response input option (i.e., like the keyboard or the mouse). See the General tab section in E-STUDIO: Slide Object [22701] for information pertaining to specifying a SlideSlider sub-object as an Input Source, and the Response Inputand Logging sections below for additional information).
The property pages for the SlideImage sub-object permit the configuration of the size and appearance of the sub-object on the parent object.
General
The General tab within the SlideSlider sub-object property pages allows configuration of the slider, including the range and orientation of the slider.
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Name |
String values |
Defines the string by which the sub-object is identified. Refer to E-STUDIO: E-Objects [22697] for naming restrictions. |
Value
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Value Min |
Positive or negative integers or decimal values, Attribute references |
Specifies the lowest allowable value within the range of possible values. |
Value Max |
Positive or negative integers or decimal values, Attribute references |
Specifies the highest allowable value within the range of possible values. |
Value Snap To |
Major, Minor, Custom, Attribute references |
Defines the precision level at which the indicator moves according to the Major Tick Units, Minor Tick Units, or Custom Snap To Units value. |
Custom Snap To Units |
Positive or negative integers or decimal values, Attribute references |
Specifies the precision at which the indicator moves when Value Snap To is set at Custom. |
Number of Decimals |
0-3 |
Specifies the number of decimal places displayed in the tick mark labels.
Note the decimal precision must accommodate the Value Snap To setting, and the desired data value logging. |
Value Default |
Positive or negative integers or decimal values, Attribute references |
Value at which the indicator is placed at runtime. While a value must be entered for the Value Default field, the visibility and position of the value may be controlled via the Value property fields on the Appearance tab (see Appearance section below).
Note the default is dependent on the value specified for Number of Decimals, and is rounded accordingly (e.g., Value Default set to 1.6 while Number of Decimals is set to 0 will result in a Value Default setting of 2). If the default value specified falls outside of the defined range (i.e., <Value Min or >Value Max) |
Orientation
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Layout |
horizontal, vertical, Attribute references |
Determines whether layout occurs horizontally (left-right) or vertically (top-bottom). |
Display Order |
Default, Reversed, Attribute references |
Determines whether the range of values (i.e., as defined by Value Min and Value Max) displays in forward or reverse order. |
Tick Marks
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Major Tick Units |
Integer values >0.001, Attribute references |
Specifies the unit precision to be used in the display of the major tick mark labels (i.e., within the defined range of values).
Note the visibility and appearance of the tick marks may be configured via the Appearance tab (see Appearancesection below). |
Minor Tick Units |
Integer values >0.001, Attribute references |
Specifies the unit precision to be used in the display of the minor tick mark labels (i.e., within the defined range of values).
Note the visibility and appearance of the tick marks may be configured via the Appearance tab (see Appearancesection below). |
Accuracy
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Accuracy Range Min |
Integer values (e.g., 10, 12), Integer values +.5 (e.g., 10.5), Attribute references |
Defines the minimum value within the range of values that is considered to be accurate (i.e., when calculating the ACC dependent measure associated with the SlideSlider sub-object). |
Accuracy Range Max |
Integer values (e.g., 10, 12), Integer values +.5 (e.g., 10.5), Attribute references |
Defines the maximum value within the range of values that is considered to be accurate (i.e., when calculating the ACC dependent measure associated with the SlideSlider sub-object). |
Examples
The examples below illustrate options for layout and display order for the SlideSlider sub-object.
Horizontal layout with default Display Order.
Vertical layout with reversed Display Order
Frame
The Frame tab is used by the SlideSlider sub-object to define a rectangular area on the parent display area (e.g., SlideState) as the display area for the sub-object.
The rectangular area defined by the properties is referred to as a “Frame.” Refer to E-STUDIO: Frame [22716] for more information concerning Frames. Note that there are separate Frame properties for a SlideSlider sub-object, the SlideState on which it resides, and the parent Slide object that houses both of them. Be careful to select the appropriate element for which you wish to configure the Frame.
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Width |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Sets the width of the display area (frame) of the SlideChoice sub-object to a percentage value relative to the size of the SlideState, or to a fixed pixel size., or to a fixed pixel size. |
Height |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Sets the Height of the display area (frame) of the SlideChoice sub-object to a percentage value relative to the size of the SlideState, or to a fixed pixel size. |
X |
left, center, right, Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Sets the anchor position of the frame along the horizontal axis. |
Y |
top, center, bottom,Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Sets the anchor position of the frame along the vertical axis. |
XAlign |
left, center, right,Attribute references |
Determines the horizontal positioning of the defined frame in relation to the X and Y anchor position. |
YAlign |
top, center, bottom,Attribute references |
Determines the vertical positioning of the defined frame in relation to the X and Y anchor position. |
Appearance
The SlideSlider sub-object will vertically and horizontally center its drawing components within the frame defining the size of the sub-object. The Appearance tab permits the formatting of the elements composing the SlideSlider sub-object. Like the SlideButton sub-object from which it is derived, the properties of the SlideSlider sub-object are based on a theme, or a collection of settings. This collection of settings is accessible via the Appearance tab within the SlideSlider property pages.
Theme
The properties of the SlideSlider sub-object are based on a theme, or a collection of settings. This collection of settings is organized on the SlideSlider's Appearance tab.
Parent Theme
Properties are, by default, inherited from a parent theme, which may be edited using the Theme Editor (see E-STUDIO: Theme Editor [23585]). When editing the parent theme, modifications will apply to all SlideSlider sub-objects within the experiment (e.g., modifying the BaseSlider Parent Theme to apply a border will result in a border being applied to all SlideSlider sub-objects within the experiment).
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Parent Theme |
BaseChoice, BaseButton, BaseSlider, any user-defined custom themes |
Predefined templates including default settings for specific sub-object types. |
While all properties are accessible within the parent theme, a few frequently used properties (see table below) are displayed, as a convenience, under the Parent Theme field to allow override without affecting the parent theme.
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Back Color |
Color value (RGB values), Specific color strings (e.g., black, maroon, lime), Attribute references |
Defines the solid background color of the SlideSlider sub-object (functionality depends on BackStyle property). |
Back Style |
(inherit), opaque, transparent,Attribute references |
Defines the style of the background of the SlideSlider sub-object. |
Tick marks
The Tick Marks properties on the Appearance tab allow the configuration of the position, size, color, visibility, and spacing of the major and minor tick marks.
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Position |
AboveRight, BelowLeft, Crossed, Attribute references |
Specifies the location of the labels and tick marks relevant to the slider axis.
Note the position of the tick marks is dependent on both the Layout value as specified on the General tab (e.g., tick marks may appear above or below a slider oriented horizontally, or to the right or left of a slider oriented vertically), and the value of the Visible property within the Major/Minor Tick Appearance properties. |
Label Size |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Sets the size of the label associated with tick marks to a percentage of the sub-object frame size, or to a fixed pixel size. |
Label Padding |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Specifies the spacing between the label and the sub-object border. |
Examples
The following examples illustrate the options for the Position field based on the orientation of the slider.
Position |
Horizontal Layout |
Vertical Layout |
AboveRight |
|
|
BelowLeft |
|
|
Crossed |
|
|
Major/Minor Tick Appearance
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Visible |
Yes, No, Attribute references |
Determines whether or not the tick marks appear in the display. |
Color |
Color value (RGB values), Specific color strings (e.g., black, maroon, lime), Attribute references. |
Sets the color of the tick marks. |
Size |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Defines the vertical size (height/length) of the tick marks. |
Thickness |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Defines the horizontal size (width) of the tick marks. |
Padding |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Specifies the spacing between the axis and the tick marks. |
Indicator
The Indicator properties define the style and color of the marker appearing on the slider axis.
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Type |
rectangle, round, Attribute references |
Specifies the shape of the indicator. |
Color |
Color value (RGB values), Specific color strings (e.g., black, maroon, lime), Attribute references |
Specifies the color of the indicator. |
Font
The Font properties on the Appearance tab indicate settings related to the display of a value and labels associated with tick marks, if visible. Note: Font properties apply to both the value and labels. Value properties (see Value below) apply to only the value.
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Font Name |
Dropdown list created from those fonts available in the system, string values (e.g., "Arial"). |
Specifies the name of the font to be used for the display of text. |
Point Size |
Integer values (e.g., 10, 12) |
Sets the point size of the font. |
Font Bold |
Yes, No, Attribute references |
Sets the bold status of the text. |
Font Italic |
Yes, No, Attribute references |
Sets the italic status of the text |
Font Underline |
Yes, No, Attribute references |
Sets the underline status of the text |
Value
The Value properties set the display characteristics of the value that indicates the selected point on the slider, if the value is set to be visible. The default value to be used when the object is run is set via the Value Default field on the General tab of the SlideSlider property pages.
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Visible |
Yes, No, Attribute references |
Determines whether or not the value appears in the display. |
Position |
AboveRight, BelowLeft, Attribute references |
Specifies the location of the value relevant to the slider axis.
Note the position of the value is dependent on both the Layout value as specified on the General tab (e.g., a value may appear above or below a slider oriented horizontally, or to the right or left of a slider oriented vertically), and the value of the Visible property within the Value properties. |
Color |
Color value (RGB values), Specific color strings (e.g., black, maroon, lime), Attribute references |
Sets the color of the text to display the value. |
Padding |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Sets the spacing between the value and the border of the sub-object |
Axis
The Axis properties set the appearance of the axis, as well as the spacing between the ends of the axis and the sub-object border.
Field |
Possible Values |
Description |
Axis Color |
Color value (RGB values), Specific color strings (e.g., black, maroon, lime), Attribute references |
Sets the color of the text to display the value. |
Axis Thickness |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Defines the horizontal size (width) of the axis. |
Axis Padding |
Numeric values in pixels (e.g., "10"), Relative values (e.g., 10%), Attribute references |
Specifies the spacing between the ends of the axis and the frame of the sub-object. |
Response Input
At runtime, the user may navigate through the SlideSlider items using a pointer device (i.e., mouse or joystick), or the keyboard. To enable input via a specific device, configure the Input Device to Filter field for the Button Device in the Experiment Object property pages (see E-STUDIO: Button Device [24411].
When using a pointer device (e.g., mouse), the primary button may be used to click on the axis of the slider within the allowable range (i.e., Value Min to Value Max). This allowable range is extended a small amount (i.e., roughly 10 pixels) beyond the minimum and maximum value to allow flexibility of response location in regard to the ends of the defined range. When clicking the axis, the indicator and value are adjusted to reflect the location of the response. In addition, the primary mouse button may be used to perform a click+drag operation. During the drag operation, the value and indicator are updated to reflect the current location of the pointer.
When using the keyboard, the left or down arrow keys may be used to move one unit as configured by the Value Snap To field (i.e., Major, Minor, or Custom) toward the range minimum (i.e., Value Min). The right or up arrow keys may be used to move one unit (again, as configured by the Value Snap To field) toward the range maximum value (i.e., Value Max). The page down and page up keys may be used similarly to move one unit (i.e., toward the minimum or maximum value within the range, respectively) as defined by the Major Tick Units field. Each movement updates the value and indicator to reflect the current location.
Logging
The SlideSlider is derived from the SlideButton, and extends the measures automatically logged in the data file. The table below indicates the additional attributes appearing in the data file when input is collected via a SlideSlider sub-object. Each of the attributes appears as a property associated with the sub-object (i.e., <SlideSliderName>.<PropertyName>).
Attribute |
Description |
Value |
Value associated with the response |
RT |
Response time (ms) to SlideSlider sub-object relative to the onset of the parent object (i.e., Slide.OnsetTime). RT corresponds to last value selected. |
RTTime |
Timestamp of response to SlideSlider sub-object relative to the beginning of experiment execution. |
ACC |
Accuracy of response (0 or 1). Refer to Accuracy Range Min/Max. |
ResponseCount |
Number of responses. Because of the Default Value, ResponseCount always = 1, even if no participant response occurs. |
ChangeCount |
Number of response changes |
Next Article: E-STUDIO: Available Devices in E-Prime [22722]
Previous Article: E-STUDIO: SlideChoice Sub-Object [23599]
See Also:
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