28th Annual Student Research Conference
Are Blanketing and Stem Artifacts in Temperature Measurement Real?
Christopher L. Zerr*, Logan Fluty, Nick Gravett, and Anastasia Steblina
Dr. Fred Shaffer, Faculty Mentor
This study investigated the magnitude of blanketing and stem artifacts in temperature measurement. Blanketing artifact raises finger temperature by trapping heat in multiple layers of tape. Stem artifact lowers finger temperature when the first 3-inches of a thermistor cable are not secured against the skin. Sixty undergraduates participated in this experiment. Finger temperature was monitored using four identical thermistors with a 1-inch bead in a 70 degrees F room. To measure the magnitude of blanketing artifact, two extra layers of tape were wrapped around the thermistor bead, while the other retained its single layer. To measure the magnitude of stem artifact, the 8-cm strip of tape was removed so that the cable no longer touched the skin, while the other cable remained attached to the skin. A significant blanketing artifact of 0.87 degree F was found, F(1,58)=44.06, p=.0001, ɳ2=0.43, and d=1.74, while there was no evidence of stem artifact.
Keywords: temperature, biofeedback, artifact
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 10-10
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30