Paper 1 Roadmap: Task-Switching

 

 

Order Number			45471455714
Type of Paper			Essay
Writer Classification Level			Undergraduate
Style of Writing			MLA/APA/CHICAGO/
Sources and References			5
Number of Pages			4
Paper Instructions Paper 1 Roadmap: Task-Switching Overview: In this project you will collect, analyze, and report data from a simple task-switching experiment. Data will be collected and analyzed on the computer. You will be responsible for writing a full APA style research report. Things you will learn: Using reaction time as a dependent measure Simple t-test comparisons/ One-way ANOVA and main effects Reading and citing primary source material Short background on the task-switching paradigm: A well-known finding in research on attention and performance is that people suffer costs in performance when switching between two tasks. This is commonly measured by having people alternate or repeat between two simple tasks. Performance is faster and more accurate for task repeats than task switches. The cost to performance in both speed and accuracy is termed the taskswitching cost. In the current experiment you will be given two different tasks. On each trial you will see a number (1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9) and you will either have judge whether the number is odd or even (a parity judgment), or judge whether the number is smaller or larger than 5 (magnitude judgment). We will measure your reaction time (RT) and accuracy in this task. The goal is to determine whether RT is faster when the tasks repeat across trials than when tasks switch across trials. Background readings: Monsell, S. (2003). Task switching. TRENDS in Cognitive Sciences, 7, 134-140. Writing the paper There are many resources for help on writing an APA style research report in the lab manual. As well, here is a rough roadmap for writing paper 1. 1. Use APA formatting rules 6th edition recommended. 2. Create a suitable title for the paper 3. Write the abstract: -150-250 words -The aim is to very briefly describe the issue at hand, the experiment, and the results. The introduction (around 2 double-spaced pages) The goal of the introduction is to first put the research into a broader context, and then narrow the focus to describe the specific research aims. A. Opening section: (starting broad) – about 1 paragraph -Discuss task-switching using examples in the real world -Tell the reader that the purpose of the current experiment is to measure task-switching using a laboratory procedure B. Middle section: (discussing ideas about task-switching) -Discuss the idea of a task-set with an example -Discuss the idea of task-set reconfiguration, and explain how this idea explains the taskswitching cost. C. Final section: (briefly explain how the experiment and what you expect to find) -Briefly explain what the participants will be doing in the task -briefly give predictions for performance in each condition Methods (about 1 page) The methods section should be a complete recipe that anyone could follow to replicate your experiment. There are lots of details that you can include, some of these are listed below. Be brief and concise -Participants -how many people? Where did they come from? – Materials -size of computer monitor -program used to carry out experiment -what numbers were used, what tasks were used -what cues were people given as signal to perform each task -Procedure -What was the design? -What were the independent variables -what was the dependent variable -within or between subjects? -how many trials -how were the stimuli for each trial chosen -Describe the complete trial-sequence -First the fixation cross appeared (for how long) -then the cue appeared, then the stimulus appeared (for how long) -Reaction times were recorded – how was the next trial triggered? Results The result section is used to report the patterns in the data, and the statistical support for those patterns. You will compute the results using SPSS in the lab computers. The lab manual can be consulted for help on running statistical tests, and for reporting results. – Describe the statistical analysis e.g., mean RTs from each condition were submitted to a one-way repeated measures ANOVA with task sequence (repeat vs. switch) as the single factor -Tell the reader where they can see the data. -e.g., the results of experiment 1 are presented in table 1, or in figure 1 -you will have to make a table or figure to display the data in your paper -Describe the pattern of each main effect -The main effect of task sequence was significant, t(df) = #.##, p<.##. -Describe the mean RTs for each condition (was one larger or smaller than the other?) 7. Discussion The discussion can be used to briefly restate verbally the pattern of the most important results, and then to relate the results to theory and ideas developed in the introduction -highlight the main findings from the experiment -Discuss how the data can be explained by the task-set reconfiguration hypothesis -discuss general importance of task-switching research, suggestions for further research, and potential problems with the current research. 8. References -include citations used in the paper 9. Figures or tables -create a figure or a table that shows the mean RTs for the task-repeat and the task-switch conditions
	Distinguished (100%)	Proficient (85%)		Basic (70%)	Below Expectations (50%)	Non-Performance (0%)
Thesis Statement	Raises the strongest   objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is strongly grounded in research and logical reasoning.	Raises a plausible objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is mostly grounded in research and logical reasoning.		Raises an objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is somewhat grounded in research and logical reasoning.	Attempts to raise an objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is minimally grounded in research and logical reasoning.	The objection to the thesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.
Counter Argument	Provides a strong, thorough rebuttal to the objection. The rebuttal effectively demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and applies the principles of charity and accuracy.	Provides a rebuttal to the objection. The rebuttal mostly demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and mostly applies the principles of charity and accuracy.		Provides a limited rebuttal to the objection. The rebuttal somewhat demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and somewhat applies the principles of charity and accuracy.	Attempts to provide a rebuttal to the objection; however, the rebuttal minimally demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and does not apply the principles of charity and accuracy.	The rebuttal is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.
Conclusion	Provides clear and concise closing remarks that comprehensively summarize the essay. The remarks consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problem.	Provides closing remarks that summarize the essay. The remarks mostly consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problem. The closing remarks are somewhat unclear.		Provides closing remarks that minimally summarizes the essay. The remarks minimally consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problems. The closing remarks are unclear and/or vague.	Attempts to provide closing remarks that summarize the essay; however, the remarks do not consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problem. The closing remarks are unclear and vague.	The closing remarks are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.
Written Communication: Context of and Purpose for Writing	Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.	Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.		Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.	Organization and presentation of content are extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.	The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: Control of Syntax and Mechanics	– Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.	Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand		Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.	Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.	The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: Required Formatting	Accurately uses required formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.	Exhibits required formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.		Exhibits limited knowledge of required formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all requirements.	Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of required formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as required style.	The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: Word Requirement	The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of words.	The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.		The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of words.	The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of words.	The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: Resource Requirement	Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.	Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.		Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.	Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.	The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.