Volume 19: No. 3, March 2005

New ATI Announced: Performing Psychology Experiments Via the Web

Details have recently been finalized for the fourth Advanced Training Institute (ATI) to be held over the summer: Performing Psychology Experiments Via the Web. Led by Michael Birnbaum at the California State University at Fullerton from July 19-23, this one will offer the most personal attention of all the ATIs: seven instructors will be on hand for just sixteen participants.

This Advanced Training Institute will prepare participants to design, execute, and analyze on-line experiments. Advantages of web-based research include low costs in lab space, assistants, data entry, and time in collecting data. It is possible to recruit large samples quickly via the Web and to reach specialized types of participants who are rare in the general population. There will be instruction on methods of recruitment, ethics reviews, methodological problems and issues such as drop out and multiple submission, recruitment and retention of Online Panels, and techniques for implementation and control of Web surveys and experiments.

Instruction will cover basic HTML, HTML forms, use of programs that create web forms for on-line research (surveyWiz, factorWiz, WWW Survey Assistant, WexTor), how to install and run your own server with the free Apache server; installation and use of MySQL database, PHP, and Perl; use of LogAnalyzer, Java Programming, Authorware for creating Web experiments that allow control and measurement of response time, preparation and control of visual and auditory media. All seven instructors are experts who have worked together and taught the material at least three times. Opportunities to interact with the instructors and receive individual attention will be provided.

Application deadline: April 15. For more information, visit http://www.apa.org/science/ati_wb_xperiment.html.