Write some Software

We are seeking to work with a freelancer who is skilled in JavaScript/HTML5 and integration with the web-based survey software Qualtrics. Our goal is to rebuild a simple text-based scientific task so that it can run natively inside the Qualtrics environment, and data from the task can be passed back to Qualtrics for recording. Currently, the task is uses a scripting language for assessment program Inquest, but this can not be made to run natively inside Qualtrics as it requires a browser plugin/separate website. Desired data to be recorded includes: (A) which words are displayed and in what order, which are selected without replacement from multiple word banks (B) participant responses to displayed words, which will be from participants pressing one of two pre-assigned keys (P/Q in current design) (C) reaction times of presses (time in between each word’s display and participant pressing each item.) Intended task function: (1) Several word banks are pre-coded in, representing different word categories of interest. (typically 2 banks of words, though a customizable number would be preferred) (2) The task randomly displays a word from one of the banks, sampling without replacement. (3) This word will be displayed on participant’s screen. (4) After each word is displayed, participant will respond by pressing one of two pre-determined keys (P/Q) on their keyboards, conveying a yes/no type response. (5) The task records which word was displayed, and from which bank. (6) The task then records which key was pressed. (7) The task also records the length of time in between the display of the word and participant’s response. (8) The process above repeats until the number of words displayed reaches a pre-determined limit. Sampling from the different word banks should be balanced so participants receive equal numbers of words from each bank. (9) When done, task terminates and the participant can move to the next page in the survey. If data has not yet been passed to Qualtrics already for recording, it will all be sent on advancement to the next page. Additional considerations: Existing script for the entire task in Inquisit will be made available to the freelancer. Also, a working JavaScript word selection module exists and will be available. Free versions of Qualtrics survey-building are available at [login to view URL] We would prefer that the word bank used and the number of items displayed should be customizable. However, quick task development is a first priority, as we plan to use this task in January. The JavaScript code is less suited to customizing the number of banks/words displayed than alternate approaches, but may be useful if needed for quick turnaround. Freelancers should consider this in their proposals; easily customizable approaches (researchers will have basic coding skill) will be preferred, but only if development can be done within the needed timeframe. If for some reason passing of data directly to Qualtrics is not feasible, freelancers may propose the development of alternate approaches that still allow linking of data (e.g., accepting unique ID’s from Qualtrics and saving data via a different means. However, a version with full integration is strongly preferred. It may also be the case that consistent and reliable recording of reaction time across multiple computers (item 4) is not possible while meeting the other requirements (note: computers used will be similar and collocated). This requirement can thus be relaxed, but working solutions will be preferred. Milestones: 1. Working framework of task that can be run in a standalone web-page. 2. Demonstration of function inside (otherwise blank) Qualtrics page, with means of data recording. 3. Demonstration of reasonable consistency of reaction time data across multiple environments (including effective understanding of any necessary constraints such as browser type).