1st Edition

A Primer of Signal Detection Theory

By Don McNicol Copyright 2005
    248 Pages
    by Psychology Press

    248 Pages
    by Psychology Press

    A Primer of Signal Detection Theory is being reprinted to fill the gap in literature on Signal Detection Theory--a theory that is still important in psychology, hearing, vision, audiology, and related subjects. This book is intended to present the methods of Signal Detection Theory to a person with a basic mathematical background. It assumes knowledge only of elementary algebra and elementary statistics. Symbols and terminology are kept at a basic level so that the eventual and hoped for transfer to a more advanced text will be accomplished as easily as possible.

    Intended for undergraduate students at an introductory level, the book is divided into two sections. The first part introduces the basic ideas of detection theory and its fundamental measures. Its aim is to enable the reader to be able to understand and compute these measures. It concludes with a detailed analysis of a typical experiment and a discussion of some of the problems which can arise for the potential user of detection theory. The second section considers three more advanced topics: threshold theory, the extension of detection theory, and an examination of Thurstonian scaling procedures.

    Contents: Foreword. Preface. What Are Statistical Decisions? Non-Parametric Measures of Sensitivity. Gaussian Distributions of Signal and Noise With Equal Variances. Gaussian Distributions of Signal and Noise With Unequal Variances. Conducting a Rating Scale Experiment. Choice Theory Approximations to Signal Detection Theory. Threshold Theory. The Laws of Categorical and Comparative Judgement. Appendices: Answers to Problems. Logarithms. Integration of the Expression for the Logistic Curve. Computer Programmes for Signal Detection Analysis. Tables.

    Biography

    Don McNicol

    'The book can serve as an excellent study guide for students....equally useful for teachers and researchers in psychology who work with SDT theory. It is very detailed and complete from a didactical point of view. This is not a book that can be read hastily; rather it must be studied.  The methods described here can be used in many other fields as well."

    Glottometrics 9