Abstract
Objections to the use of the original version of the up-and-down method in psychology, as exaggerating individual differences and yielding discrepant results, overlook statistical, psychometric, and logical factors. When the method is applied incorrectly, the standard error of SD is largeand apparent differences in estimates of SD are not statistically significant. Psychometrically, a singletrial procedure should give less reliable, hence more variable. PSEs than one using multiple trials. But this effect increases standard error of the mean. thus significant mean differences found with the method are not attributable to greater variability in PSEs. Explanations of discrepancies in results from up-and-down and traditional methods in the study of perceptual development fail to account for numerous similarities. Finally, a novel method ought to produce some novelty, if it is to make a contribution to psychology,
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Hanley, C. A note on the up-and-down method. Perception & Psychophysics 4, 205–206 (1968). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03206302
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03206302