Reaction-time binning: a simple method for increasing the resolving power of ERP averages

Psychophysiology. 2010 May 1;47(3):467-85. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2009.00959.x. Epub 2010 Jan 11.

Abstract

Stimulus-locked, response-locked, and ERP-locked averaging are effective methods for reducing artifacts in ERP analysis. However, they suffer from a magnifying-glass effect: they increase the resolution of specific ERPs at the cost of blurring other ERPs. Here we propose an extremely simple technique-binning trials based on response times and then averaging-which can significantly alleviate the problems of other averaging methods. We have empirically evaluated the technique in an experiment where the task requires detecting a target in the presence of distractors. We have also studied the signal-to-noise ratio and the resolving power of averages with and without binning. Results indicate that the method produces clearer representations of ERPs than either stimulus-locked and response-locked averaging, revealing finer details of ERPs and helping in the evaluation of the amplitude and latency of ERP waves. The method is applicable to within-subject and between-subject averages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Algorithms
  • Artifacts
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical*
  • Electroencephalography / statistics & numerical data*
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Reaction Time / physiology*
  • Sample Size
  • Young Adult