Comparison of Algorithms to Measure a Psychophysical Threshold using Digital Applications: The Stereoacuity Case Study

Silvia Bonfanti, Angelo Gargantini

2021

Abstract

The use of digital applications to perform psychophysical measurements led to the introduction of algorithms to guide the users in test execution. In this paper we show three algorithms, two already well known: StrictStaircase and PEST, and a new one that we propose: PEST3. All the algorithms aim at estimating the level of a psychophysical capability by performing a sequence of simple tests; starting from initial level N, the test is executed until the target level is reached. They differ in the choice of the next steps in the sequences and the stopping condition. We have applied the algorithms to the stereoacuity case study and we have compared them by answering a set of research questions. Finally, we provide guidelines to choose the best algorithm based on the test goal. We found that while StrictStaircase provides optimal results, it requires the largest number of steps and this may hinder its use; PEST3 can overcome these limits without compromising the final results.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Bonfanti S. and Gargantini A. (2021). Comparison of Algorithms to Measure a Psychophysical Threshold using Digital Applications: The Stereoacuity Case Study. In Proceedings of the 14th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies (BIOSTEC 2021) - Volume 5: HEALTHINF; ISBN 978-989-758-490-9, SciTePress, pages 78-86. DOI: 10.5220/0010204000780086

in Bibtex Style

@conference{healthinf21,
author={Silvia Bonfanti and Angelo Gargantini},
title={Comparison of Algorithms to Measure a Psychophysical Threshold using Digital Applications: The Stereoacuity Case Study},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 14th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies (BIOSTEC 2021) - Volume 5: HEALTHINF},
year={2021},
pages={78-86},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0010204000780086},
isbn={978-989-758-490-9},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 14th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies (BIOSTEC 2021) - Volume 5: HEALTHINF
TI - Comparison of Algorithms to Measure a Psychophysical Threshold using Digital Applications: The Stereoacuity Case Study
SN - 978-989-758-490-9
AU - Bonfanti S.
AU - Gargantini A.
PY - 2021
SP - 78
EP - 86
DO - 10.5220/0010204000780086
PB - SciTePress