Can I run the Visual Search Test online?
Yes. ConductCognition runs the Visual Search Test in a browser-based participant flow with study setup, automated scoring, and export-ready results.
Attention
Visual Search Test
Measure search efficiency, target-present accuracy, target-absent cost, and set-size slopes in the browser.
Useful for visual attention, perception, aging, fatigue, usability, and intervention studies.
Attention5-7 minBrowser-based testing workflow
Preview
Cognitive test preview
What this task measures
Measures selective visual attention by asking participants to detect a target among distractors across set sizes.
Core constructs
- Selective visual attention
- Search efficiency
- Target detection
- Distractor interference
Research fit
- Visual attention research
- Aging and perception studies
- Fatigue and vigilance protocols
- Human factors and usability research
Why researchers use ConductCognition
- Hosted browser delivery with no local install burden for participants.
- Study setup, scoring, exports, and participant links in one workflow.
- Transparent pricing instead of opaque enterprise quoting for solo labs.
- Free entry tier plus Academic Pro when you need the full battery and trial-level exports.
Paradigm overview
Visual Search measures selective visual attention by asking participants to detect a target among distractors. Displays vary by set size and search type, allowing researchers to estimate search efficiency from reaction time slopes.
This implementation includes feature-search and conjunction-search trials, target-present and target-absent trials, and set sizes of 8, 16, and 32 by default. Scored outputs include accuracy by target status, target-absent cost, feature-search slope, and conjunction-search slope.
Key scoring outputs
Overall Accuracy
proportionProportion of scored visual-search trials answered correctly.
Higher is better
Target-Present Accuracy
proportionAccuracy when the target was present.
Higher is better
Target-Absent Accuracy
proportionAccuracy when the target was absent.
Higher is better
Feature Search Slope
ms/itemRT-by-set-size slope for feature-search trials.
Lower is better
Conjunction Search Slope
ms/itemRT-by-set-size slope for conjunction-search trials.
Lower is better
Target-Absent Cost
msMean correct target-absent RT minus mean correct target-present RT.
Lower is better when accuracy is adequate
Research evidence and scoring context
Treisman A, Gelade G (1980). A feature-integration theory of attention. Cognitive Psychology, 12:97-136.
Reference reviewedN/A
Wolfe JM (2021). Guided Search 6.0: An updated model of visual search.
Reference reviewedN/A
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Research FAQ
Common questions about this online cognitive test
What does this test measure?
Visual Search Test is used for selective visual attention, search efficiency, target detection research workflows.
What data can researchers export?
Researchers can export scored results, and paid plans support trial-level exports for deeper analysis.
Is this for clinical diagnosis?
ConductCognition is for research use. The platform supports task delivery, scoring, and exports; clinical interpretation remains outside the platform.