(David Huron - Conrad Grebel )

Subject: 
From:    David Huron - Conrad Grebel  <dhuron(at)WATSERV1.UWATERLOO.CA>
Date:    Sun, 20 Sep 1992 23:45:24 -0400

RE:  Research Proposal.

Al,

How about a simpler test:

Each trial would consist of a probe tone followed by an analog speech sound.
Subjects would then answer two questions: (1) was the probe tone
present in the target speech sound, and (2) identify the speech sound (from
a list of words).  The purpose of the first question is simply to encourage
Ss to listen analytically.  The responses to the first question are used
to eliminate Ss who aren't doing any analytic listening at all.

The probe tones would be placed in three categories:
(1) same frequency as an enhanced (increased intensity) component sine "formant"
(2) close proximity to an enhanced component sine formant,
(3) far away from an enhanced component sine formant.
The independent variable is the proximity of the probe tone
to an enhanced component sine formant, whereas the dependent variable would
be the word recognition score (or variability of responses to the same
speech simulus).  The hypothesis would be that as the probe tone becomes
closer to a component sine formant, the word recognition score becomes worse
(more variable).

Dave Huron