Scoring Options for Recall Tests (SORT): A BASIC program for entry and analysis of recall test data

Abstract

Data from recall protocols can be used to examine a wide range of psychological processes (e.g., organizational processes, search speed) using both single and repeated testing procedures. However, it is rare that the data gathered from studies using either single or repeated testing procedures are fully exploited. Scoring Options for Recall Tests (SORT) is a BASIC program created for IBM-compatible computers designed to facilitate the entry and analysis of data gathered from studies using either single or repeated testing procedures. The program produces three main types of measures: (1) measures of clustering and organization in recall (e.g., Adjusted Ratio of Clustering [ARC] score, Bidirectional Intertrial Repetition [ITR]), (2) descriptive measures (e.g., net recall, item loss, and item recovery), and (3) temporal analysis (e.g., cumulative recall, and item recovery over time). SORT calculates the appropriate measures and saves the output as a comma-delineated ASCII file for easy inspection and analysis.