Sum Scoring Questionnaries | Total Scores

To summarize scores from multiple items of a questionnaire into a single total score in Labvanced, follow these simple steps using the Event system:

  1. Create a Frame Start trigger.
  2. Create an array variable and place all of the questionnaire-related items there:
  • Set up an Array Operations → Add/Remove Array Entries action. Name the array variable (e.g.,Total Items) and add all the items you need to sum to the array (e.g., Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4).
  1. Sum all the items in the array and store it in a new variable:
  • Add a Variable Actions → Math & Statistics. Set the operation to Sum, select the array you just created as the input and create a new scalar variable to store the output score (e.g., Total Score).

These steps will be explained in more detail in the following section.

The process described here can be applied to other contexts as well, such as calculating sub-scales.

Step-by-Step Guide to Summarize and Add Questionnaire Scores

Let us look into the steps to summarize and add the scores of a questionnaire. You can apply the principles below to any questionnaire to calculate the sum of any scores.

Step 1: Add a Canvas Frame + Create a Frame Event

In the Task Editor, click + Canvas to create a new frame. This is where the scoring will happen and be displayed.

Adding a Canvas Frame in Labvanced

  • Go to the Events tab.
  • Click + Frame Event.
  • Name the event something like “Total Score Calculation”.
  • Click Next.

option to add a frame event

Step 2: Set up the Trigger

  • Select Trial and Frame Trigger.
  • Choose Frame Start as the trigger type (this triggers the event on frame onset). Based on your experimental design, you may specify a different trigger.
  • Click Next.

Steps to setup Event Trigger with trigger type ‘Frame Start’

Step 3: Set up Action to Group and Store Items

First, we need to add all the score values inside a single varriable. For that, we will need an Array.

Click Add Action → Array Operations → Add/Remove Array Entries.

Steps to setup Event Action to add an Array Operation

Click the link icon and then click Add Variable. Now define the variable as follows:

  • Name: Total Items (or something unique).
  • Format: Array
  • Data Type: Numeric

Click OK.

In the action now, continue to:

  • Set Index Type as End of Array.
  • Insert (+) the respective item variables (e.g., Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4).

Adding an Array Operation to Group and Store Items in Labvanced

Step 4: Set up Action to Sum the Array for Total Score

Click Add Action → Variable Actions → Math & Statistics.

Steps to setup Event Action to add a Math & Statistics operation

For the action, specify:

  • Type: Array Operations
  • Operation: Sum
  • Input Array: Total Items (the array you created earlier)
  • Output Array:
    • Click the link icon.
    • Choose + New Variableand specify its parameters:
      • Name: Total Score (or any other unique name)
      • Set Format: Array, Data Type: Numeric.

Adding a Math & Statistics operation to sum an array operation for Total Score calculation in Labvanced

That’s it! You now have a single score calculated by summing up the scores of four questions together.