Mixing Cost Calculator

Actual task-matched mixed-block REPEAT versus pure-block valid-correct reaction-time mean discrepancy, with exclusions retained and negative costs allowed. Independently identified task/trial conditions and predeclared validity/exclusion protocol required. Not switch-minus-repeat switch cost, paired subject inference, causal executive-function measure, clinical diagnosis or evidence of impairment from one difference.

Description

Mixing cost compares matched repeat-trial performance in mixed and pure task blocks.

Mixing cost compares matched repeat-trial performance in mixed and pure task blocks.^[1]

It differs from the local cost between switch and repeat trials within a mixed block.

When to use Mixing Cost Calculator

Use this tool to calculate or review the supplied observations under the stated rules. Establish the assessment or recording protocol, units, instrument version and independently applicable reference or calibration.

How to use Mixing Cost Calculator and understand its results

Establish the assessment or recording protocol, units, instrument version and independently applicable reference or calibration.
Enter actualMixedBlockRepeatTrialTimesMs, mixedRepeatValidCorrectFlags, actualPureBlockMatchedTrialTimesMs, pureTrialValidCorrectFlags, using the field meanings and rules below, then run the tool.
Read result.observedMixedRepeatMeanMs, result.observedPureTaskMeanMs, result.signedObservedMixingCostMs, result.includedMixedRepeatTrialCount, result.includedPureTrialCount, result.excludedMixedRepeatTrialIndices, result.excludedPureTrialIndices. Use the units and sign conventions below.
Correct any reported input issue and run again. Before using a successful result, check the stated units, signs, reference scope and observation coverage.

Input field	Meaning	Value type	Requirement
actualMixedBlockRepeatTrialTimesMs	Actual mixed-block repeat-trial latencies ms	list of number	Required
mixedRepeatValidCorrectFlags	Independently qualified valid correct mixed-repeat trials	list of number	Required
actualPureBlockMatchedTrialTimesMs	Actual matched-task pure-block latencies ms	list of number	Required
pureTrialValidCorrectFlags	Independently qualified valid correct pure trials	list of number	Required

Require separately aligned nonempty trial-time and binary valid-correct flag lists for each block. Every time must be positive, including excluded rows. Each block must retain at least one valid trial. Compute each included arithmetic mean and mixed-repeat minus pure mean; return included counts and zero-based excluded indices. Blocks need not have equal counts and trials are not paired across them.

mixingCostMs=mean(validMixedRepeatTimes)−mean(validPureTimes)

Use the matching field units and the exact boundary, ordering and reference rules above.

Output field	Meaning	Value type
result	Structured result; its nested fields below contain the actual calculation or selected reference	object
result.observedMixedRepeatMeanMs	Observed Mixed Repeat Mean Ms	number
result.observedPureTaskMeanMs	Observed Pure Task Mean Ms	number
result.signedObservedMixingCostMs	Signed Observed Mixing Cost Ms; preserve the subtraction order and sign defined in the mechanics	number
result.includedMixedRepeatTrialCount	Included Mixed Repeat Trial Count	number
result.includedPureTrialCount	Included Pure Trial Count	number
result.excludedMixedRepeatTrialIndices	Excluded Mixed Repeat Trial Indices; zero-based positions in the corresponding input record	list
result.excludedPureTrialIndices	Excluded Pure Trial Indices; zero-based positions in the corresponding input record	list

json

{
  "input": {
    "actualMixedBlockRepeatTrialTimesMs": [
      500,
      700,
      2000
    ],
    "mixedRepeatValidCorrectFlags": [
      1,
      1,
      0
    ],
    "actualPureBlockMatchedTrialTimesMs": [
      400,
      600
    ],
    "pureTrialValidCorrectFlags": [
      1,
      1
    ]
  },
  "output": {
    "result": {
      "observedMixedRepeatMeanMs": 600,
      "observedPureTaskMeanMs": 500,
      "signedObservedMixingCostMs": 100,
      "includedMixedRepeatTrialCount": 2,
      "includedPureTrialCount": 2,
      "excludedMixedRepeatTrialIndices": [
        2
      ],
      "excludedPureTrialIndices": []
    }
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

Actual acquisition, assessment protocol, instrument version and calibration determine applicability. The tool does not examine a person, classify images, administer a questionnaire or choose diagnostic cutoffs.

Missing required fields, unknown fields, wrong types and violated rules return input issues. Numeric values and outputs must be finite. Lists and matrices must be dense, without missing cells. Numeric lists allow at most 10000 entries; ordinary string lists allow at most 128 strings of 128 UTF-16 units each; numeric matrices allow at most 128 rows and 128 columns, subject to narrower requirements above. Extremely large composite outputs are rejected.

Alternative or Complementary methods

For a related step, use Power Law of Practice Calculator: A power-law learning curve relates practice-trial number to a calibrated task-time scenario. For a complementary comparison, use Fechner Law Calculator: Fechner's logarithmic model relates stimulus intensity to a calibrated threshold and slope.

References

Mixing Cost Calculator — tool.io

Similar or alternative tools

Power Law of Practice Calculator
A power-law learning curve relates practice-trial number to a calibrated task-time scenario.
Fechner Law Calculator
Fechner's logarithmic model relates stimulus intensity to a calibrated threshold and slope.