E-Prime helps you teach computer-based experimental research in psychology, behavioural science and related methods courses. You can use it to design tasks that present stimuli, collect responses and record reaction times. E-Prime is especially useful when students need to understand how research questions, stimuli, conditions, timing and data collection are connected in an experimental study.
- Functions
- Create materials | Survey / data collection
- Access
- Standalone
- Difficulty of use
- Needs guidance
Examples of use in your education
Use E-Prime when you want students to understand how an experiment is organised before they design or run one themselves.
You can apply this tool in your teaching in several concrete ways:
Experiment structure - Show students how a simple experiment is organised, including instructions, materials shown to participants and the answers or keys participants use to respond. For example, compare two versions of a reaction-time task where students respond to different types of words or images.
Stimulus choices - Let students compare different materials, such as neutral and emotional words, or simple images with different levels of visual detail. Use this to discuss how these choices can affect what the experiment actually measures.
Design discussion - Ask students to identify where a task could confuse participants or influence their responses. For example, students can discuss whether unclear instructions, distracting images or uneven task difficulty might affect the results.
Tip 1
Start with a very small task that compares responses in two situations, such as reacting to words and images. This helps students focus on the logic of the design before working with more complex procedures.
Tip 2
sk students to explain the role of each step in the task in plain language. This helps them connect the software structure to the research question.
Use E-Prime when students need to test an experiment before collecting data and learn how small design choices affect the participant experience.
You can apply this tool in your teaching in several concrete ways:
Pilot run - Ask students to run a short version of the experiment and review whether the participant sees the right instructions, timing and response choices.
Peer testing - Let students complete a classmate’s task and note where the instructions, screen transitions or answer options are unclear.
Timing comparison - Show two short versions of the same reaction-time task, for example one with enough reading time and one that moves too quickly. Ask students to discuss how timing can affect responses and data quality.
Tip 1
Use a short pilot checklist with instructions, materials, response keys, timing and saved data, so students review the quality of the task rather than only seeing whether it opens.
Tip 2
Ask students to revise one unclear instruction or response choice after the pilot. This turns testing into a design improvement activity, rather than only a technical check.
Use E-Prime when students design experiments for theses, lab projects or advanced research methods assignments.
You can apply this tool in your teaching in several concrete ways:
Experiment plan - Ask students to prepare a short design plan before building the task, including the research question, conditions, response measures and expected data structure.
Sample task adaptation - Let students adapt an existing task or sample experiment, so they can discuss which design choices need to change for their own research question.
Data export preparation - Ask students to check which variables are saved and how the data will be exported for later analysis.
Methods reporting - Ask students to document key design choices, such as materials, timing, conditions and response measures, so they can describe the experiment clearly in their report or thesis.
Tip 1
Give feedback on the experiment plan before students start building the task, so design problems are addressed before they become technical problems.
Tip 2
Use supervision meetings to discuss one design change students made after testing, so the development process supports methodological reflection rather than becoming only a technical record.
Give students a short research question about attention, memory or decision-making. Ask them to define two conditions, choose simple stimuli and set the response options in E-Prime. After testing the task briefly, students write a short design note explaining how the conditions, stimuli and response measures connect to the research question
How-to videos
E-Prime 3: Beginner Tutorial
E-Prime Tutorial: Introduction
What is E-Prime 3.0?
Getting started
- You can find E-Prime beginner resources from Psychology Software Tools here.
- You can find E-Prime getting started articles here.
- You can find the Youtube channel of Psychology Software Tools about E-Prime videos here.
- E-Prime is specialist software. Before asking students to use it, check whether it is available through your faculty, lab, course environment or licence arrangement. Also check whether students need access to a specific computer lab or installation.
Support
In case of educational questions, please contact your learning innovator or web team from your faculty.
In case of technical difficulty, please consult the PST Product Service & Support resources first. For access, installation or lab-specific setup, contact the local lab, IT or software support channel responsible for E-Prime in your faculty.
