TIMING: PreRelease defaults changed to promote better timing accuracy [17936]

This article applies to:
E-Prime 3.0
E-Prime 2.0

This item was introduced in E-Prime 2.0.

 
Detail
E-Prime 2.0 introduced the "(same as duration)" option for PreRelease values as the default for newly created objects. To assist the majority of paradigms, the use of PreRelease is typically recommended. Most support requests typically entail the recommendation of using PreRelease (amongst other edits such as duration divisible by refresh, smaller frame size) to reduce OnsetDelay values during an experiment session.

Researchers should consider the following when using PreRelease "same as duration:"

1) InLine or PackageCall. Care needs to be considered of the state of the experiment trial when an InLine or PackageCall follows an object that uses PreRelease "same as duration." Typically, this means that it cannot be assumed that the previous object has cleared, finished, or is no longer collecting responses from input masks. To assist with this, consider using script similar to the following to either wait for or continue the trial execution. Note that the "PreviousObject" would need to be replaced with the name of the actual previous object on the trial.

 ' If you have an object prior to this that has input
' masks then update its name here
Dim thePreviousObject As RteRunnableInputObject
Set thePreviousObject = CRteRunnableInputObject(Rte.GetObject("PreviousObject"))

Do
   'Any requests for termination?
   If GetTerminateMode() = ebTerminate Then
      SetTerminateMode ebTerminateNone
      SetNextTargetOnsetTime Clock.Read
      Exit Do
   ElseIf GetTerminateMode() = ebTerminateJump Then
      SetTerminateMode ebTerminateNone
      SetNextTargetOnsetTime Clock.Read
      Err.Raise ebInputAccepted
   End If
  
   'Input Masks still pending?
   If Not thePreviousObject Is Nothing Then
      If Not thePreviousObject.InputMasks.IsPending() Then
         Exit Do
      End If
   End If
  
   'Ready for the next object?
   If Clock.Read >= (GetNextTargetOnsetTime() - 1) Then
      Exit Do
   End If
  
   If GetNextTargetOnsetTime() - Clock.Read > 4 Then Sleep 4
   DoEvents
Loop

2) Last object on Procedure. When the last object on a Procedure has PreRelease, it releases into the final logging of the Procedure and selects the next exemplar for the trial. To assist with this, the default for the Procedure object is to process the last object with script similar to the above. If your paradigm requires a different behavior, set the Procedure.ProcessLastObjectPendingInputMasks to No. The Procedure.ProcessLastObjectPendingInputMasks allows for a consistent use of PreRelease=(same as duration) without having to make special alterations to the last object on a Procedure.

3) FeedbackDisplay. When an object has PreRelease value and the next object is a FeedbackDisplay, then the stats shown during the experiment run could be inaccurate because the Stimulus object may still be accepting responses. To assist with this, the default for the FeedbackDisplay object is to process the input object with script similar to the above. If your paradigm requires a different behavior, set the FeedbackDisplay.ProcessInputObjectPendingInputMasks to No. The FeedbackDisplay.ProcessInputObjectPendingInputMasks allows for a consistent use of PreRelease=(same as duration) without having to make special alterations to objects prior to a FeedbackDisplay.

See Also:

TIMING: Stimulus Preparation Solutions [22857]

For more information view the E-Prime Command Reference for specifics involving E-Basic (https://pstnet.com/ecr).

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