On the analysis of psychometric functions: the Spearman-Kärber method

Percept Psychophys. 2001 Nov;63(8):1399-420. doi: 10.3758/bf03194551.

Abstract

With computer simulations, we examined the performance of the Spearman-Kärber method for analyzing psychometric functions and compared this method with the standard technique of probit analysis. The Spearman-Kärber method was found to be superior in most cases. It generally yielded less biased and less variable estimates of the location and dispersion of a psychometric function, and it provided more power to detect differences in these parameters across experimental conditions. Moreover, the Spearman-Kärber method provided information about the skewness and higher moments of psychometric functions that is beyond the scope of probit analysis. These advantages of the Spearman-Kärber method suggest that it should often be used in preference to probit analysis for the analysis of observed psychometric functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Confidence Intervals
  • Humans
  • Probability
  • Psychometrics / methods*
  • Psychophysics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sensory Thresholds*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric*