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SUMMARY:Signal detection theory - what it is and why you need it - Bob Car
 lyon (MRC CBSU)
DTSTART:20121015T150000Z
DTEND:20121015T163000Z
UID:TALK40161@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Mandy Carter
DESCRIPTION:In many experiments the participant is presented with a stimul
 us and is required to make a binary judgement about it – for example whe
 ther they have encountered it before\, whether it belongs to a category th
 at they have previously learnt\, or\, more simply\, whether or not it is p
 resent. These "yes-no" decisions are also required outside of the laborato
 ry\, for example when interpreting an X-ray trace for signs of disease or 
 when sitting in the garden and deciding whether one really did hear the do
 orbell. In all of these situations one's decision is influenced not only b
 y the sensory information available but also by one's criterion\, or willi
 ngness to say "yes". (Were you expecting a dearfriend\, or your Ph.D. supe
 rvisor?). For the experimenter\, this can complicate the interpretation of
  the results. In this lecture I will explain why commonly used measures of
  performance\, such as percent correct\, can be misleading\, and explain h
 ow signal detection theory can help untangle the effects of criterion and 
 of underlying sensitivity. I will also describe experimental methods that 
 help circumvent this problem. Those attending should bring a calculator\, 
 although the maths involved will amount to no more than simple addition an
 d subtraction.\n\nFor those keen students who would appreciate further dis
 cussion of experimental design and interpretation\, I will make available 
 a few examples of common logical and statistical errors that one encounter
 s. Those interested will have the opportunity\, at the end of the lecture\
 , to discuss these examples and to propose ways of avoiding such pitfalls 
 in one's own research
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre\, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences\, 15 Chaucer R
 oad\, Cambridge
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