Abstract
This article describes a short self-report measure of problems with executive function designed for use in Internet-mediated research. In Study 1, participants completed the online measure (Webexec) using a browser but under laboratory conditions. They also completed a paper self-report measure of executive problems (the Dysexecutive Questionnaire; DEX) and three objective tasks involving executive function: reverse digit span, semantic fluency (unconstrained), and semantic fluency (constrained). Webexec scores correlated positively with the DEX and negatively with the three executive tasks. Further evidence of construct validity came from Study 2, in which Webexec scores correlated positively with both use of cannabis and prospective memory problems reported in an online drug questionnaire. Webexec thus appears suitable for online research with normal populations.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baddeley, A. [D.] (2003). Working memory: Looking back and looking forward. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 4, 829–839.
Baddeley, A. D., & Hitch, G. (1974). Working memory. In G. H. Bower (Ed.), The psychology of learning and motivation: Advances in research and theory (Vol. 8, pp. 47–89). New York: Academic Press.
Bodenburg, S., & Dopslaff, N. (2008). The Dysexecutive Questionnaire advanced: Item and test score characteristics, 4-factor solution, and severity classification. Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, 196, 75–78.
Buchanan, T., Ali, T., Heffernan, T. M., Ling, J., Parrott, A. C., Rodgers, J., & Scholey, A. B. (2005). Nonequivalence of on-line and paper-and-pencil psychological tests: The case of the prospective memory questionnaire. Behavior Research Methods, 37, 148–154.
Chan, R. C. K. (2001). Dysexecutive symptoms among a non-clinical sample: A study with the use of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire. British Journal of Psychology, 92, 551–565.
Galesic, M., & Bosnjak, M. (2009). Effects of questionnaire length on participation and indicators of response quality in a Web survey. Public Opinion Quarterly, 73, 349–360.
Grace, J., & Malloy, P. F. (2001). Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe) professional manual. Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
Hannon, R., Adams, P., Harrington, S., Fries-Dias, C., & Gipson, M. T. (1995). Effects of brain injury and age on prospective memory self-rating and performance. Rehabilitation Psychology, 40, 289–298.
Martin, M., Kliegel, M., & McDaniel, M. A. (2003). The involvement of executive functions in prospective memory performance of adults. International Journal of Psychology, 38, 195–206.
Maylor, E. A., & Reimers, S. (2007). Cognitive aging research using the Internet: Four case studies. In A. Garriga-Trillo (Ed.), Converging research on predictors of cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases (pp. 29–41). Madrid, Spain: Publidisa.
McGraw, K. O., Tew, M. D., & Williams, J. E. (2000). The integrity of Web-delivered experiments: Can you trust the data? Psychological Science, 11, 502–506.
McHale, S., & Hunt, N. (2008). Executive function deficits in shortterm abstinent cannabis users. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental, 23, 409–415.
Miyake, A., Friedman, N. P., Emerson, M. J., Witzki, A. H., & Howerter, A. (2000). The unity and diversity of executive functions and their contributions to complex “frontal lobe” tasks: A latent variable analysis. Cognitive Psychology, 41, 49–100.
Morgan, A. B., & Lilienfeld, S. O. (2000). A meta-analytic review of the relation between antisocial behavior and neuropsychological measures of executive function. Clinical Psychology Review, 20, 113–156.
Parrott, A. C., Sisk, E., & Turner, J. J. D. (2000). Psychobiological problems in heavy “ecstasy” users. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 60, 105–110.
Phillips, L. H. (1997). Do “frontal tests” measure executive function? Issues of assessment and evidence from fluency tests. In P. Rabbitt (Ed.), Methodology of frontal and executive function (pp. 191–213). Hove, U.K.: Psychology Press.
Rabbitt, P. (1997). Methodology of frontal and executive function. Hove, U.K.: Psychology Press.
Rabbitt, P., Maylor, E., McInnes, L., Bent, N., & Moore, B. (1995). What goods can self-assessment questionnaires deliver for cognitive gerontology? Applied Cognitive Psychology, 9, S127-S152.
Rodgers, J., Buchanan, T., Pearson, C., Parrott, A. C., Ling, J., Heffernan, T., & Scholey, A. B. (2006). Differential experiences of the psychobiological sequelae of ecstasy use: Quantitative and qualitative data from an Internet study. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 20, 437–446.
Wilson, B. A., Alderman, N., Burgess, P. W., Emslie, H., & Evans, J. J. (1996). Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS). Bury St. Edmunds, U.K.: Thames Valley Test Company.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Buchanan, T., Heffernan, T.M., Parrott, A.C. et al. A short self-report measure of problems with executive function suitable for administration via the Internet. Behavior Research Methods 42, 709–714 (2010). https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.42.3.709
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.42.3.709