Comparison of methods in research of visual working memory capacity

The main topic of the book is a review and a comparison of behavioral research methods in the field of visual working memory (VWM) capacity research. After analysis of existing procedures for memory capacity assessment, the author constructed a new formula for VWM capacity estimation. Unlike procedures derived from signal detection theory, this new method estimates VWM capacity directly via percentages of correct answers. After considering a series of theoretical simulations and empirical data obtained on healthy participants, new formula was proven to be more accurate compared to existing methods. It was demonstrated that it does not tend to overestimate true VWM capacity, nor it is at all affected by the criterion of responding. Unlike some procedures, the new method can be applied in various sorts of economical experimental designs.