PCIbex is a free and open-source platform for designing, implementing and hosting online experiments, of use to anyone collecting behavioral experimental data in the cognitive sciences and beyond. Free experiment hosting is available on the PCIbex Farm, which comes with its own interface and requires no server setup, software installation or prior knowledge of a programming language.

PCIbex builds on IBEX, a free, javacript-based platform for running experiments online, developed by Alex Drummond to conduct common text-based, psycho-linguistic tasks, including self-paced reading and rating studies. PCIbex is an extension developed by Jeremy Zehr within a project in our lab. It uses a versatile and user-friendly yet powerful mini-script language (requiring no javascript skills) for incorporating a diverse range of features in your experiment, such as multimedia support and dynamically unfolding trial structures, with the capacity of tracking timing and inputs throughout, to accommodate both simple and complex experimental task paradigms with a wide range of dynamic and interactive features (e.g., visual stimuli, flexible, multi-stage trial structure, response feedback, scripted/ timed events, playing audio and video).

Free hosting offered at https://expt.pcibex.net/ means posting simple experiments online just takes a few simple steps that can be shared through a URL. This is compatible with a variety of recruitment platforms, e.g., Sona, Prolific, or Mechanical Turk. Templates or prior experiments can easily be imported via github, which also allows for easy sharing of your work for maximal transparency and replicability.

For more details on usage and features, see the full documentation, as well as the support forum. Direct any questions on PCIbex to penncontroller@lab.florianschwarz.net.