Randomizing Blocks

[Thalia]

OS (e.g. Win10): Mac sierra 10.12.1
PsychoPy version (e.g. 1.84.x): 3.0
Standard Standalone? (y/n) y
What are you trying to achieve?: trial randomization

I am trying to randomize the presentation of 3 blocks in a dot probe task. Each block contains 20 trials that have successfully been randomized. However, I am having trouble randomizing the presentation of blocks to participants so that, for example, block 1 can be seen first then block 2 and 3, and then for other participants they would see blocks 2,3,1 or any other order.

I have reviewed multiple posts on this issue and still am having issues. I am a PsychoPy novice but have attempted to use code to randomize the orders of the blocks with no success.

What did you try to make it work?

I tried to put a loop around the routines that I want to be randomised with the conditions file having the names of the individual excel files (block trials and counterbalancing).

I also tried to use a spreadsheet with three columns and three rows. I used headers as nReps and each row and column I used 1 and two 0s.

I also attempted to remove the fixation point and only have the 3 blocks but had no success.

What specifically went wrong when you tried that?

My blocks would not randomize.

Any guidance would be much appreciated!

[filiabel]

Hello,

If by blocks you mean appear, stig and gen I’m afraid you cannot randomize the order of routines. If the different stimuli routines do not differ to much I would try and combine them to one routine, which then can be set to correct values etc. by a loop running 3 times.

EDIT: I was wrong… Hehe

[Thalia]

Thank you for your reply. I have attempted to combine all routines into one. However, I am having issues with the presentation of each routine.

The dot probe task that I am trying to create begins with word pairs, followed by a dot replacing one of the words, to which the participant must press a key to indicate the location of the dot, and then a fixation point. Each block contains different types of words that I would like to keep separate. I am not sure how to create one routine for each block…how would you approach this?

Experimentalstimuli;

stigstimuli;

Generaltrial:

Much appreciated!

[filiabel]

Did you add any pictures in your reply? I can only see empty white squares with some generated text underneath.

[Thalia]

That is odd… attempt # 2
Experimentalstimuli

stigstimuli

Generaltrial

[wakecarter]

You can randomise the order of routines, using the method that the OP has outlined.

Loop randomising should point to a spreadsheet with three columns. In each row there should be a 1 and two 0s. The column names are then used as the nReps for appear, stig and gen.

@Thalia – please show your four loop definitions and the contents of your randomising spreadsheet.

[Thalia]

Here are the properties for the 3 inner loops;

Here are the properties for my outer loop and corresponding spreadsheet;

I have also tried;

[wakecarter]

@Thalia

also tried;

Delete col A
Name cols B-D playAppear, playstig, playGen

Put these variables as the nReps in attract, stig and gen.

[Thalia]

IT WORKED! I cannot thank you enough!

[filiabel]

My bad, I was not aware of this!
Glad it worked out