ANY-maze Help > The ANY-maze reference > The Protocol page > The elements of a protocol > Analysis > Calculations > Setting up a calculation > The Function wizard : Choosing a function

The Function wizard : Choosing a function

In this step, you should choose the function you want to use. The available functions are listed in alphabetical order, and as you select one, a brief description will be shown below the list.

Functions available in ANY-maze

Count

Counts the number of trials (from a specific group of trials) for which an animal has a result - i.e. for which the result is NOT undefined. For example, you could use this to find out in how many trials of a stage the animal entered a particular zone. If the animal never enters a zone, then the result for 'Time in the zone' will be undefined, so counting how many trials have a result for 'Time in the zone' will tell you in how many trials it entered the zone.

Sum	Calculates the sum of a particular measure across a group of trials. For example, you could use this to find out the total amount of time that the animal spent in a particular zone in all the trials of a particular stage.

Mean	Calculates the mean value of a particular measure across a group of trials. For example, you could use this to find out the mean amount of time that the animal spent in a particular zone in the trials of a particular stage.

Max	Calculates the maximum value of a particular measure in a group of trials. For example, you could use this to find out the maximum amount of time the animal spent in a particular zone in the trials of a particular stage.

Min

Calculates the minimum value of a particular measure in a group of trials. For example, you could use this to find out the minimum amount of time that the animal spent in a particular zone in the trials of a particular stage. Note that this returns the minimum result of those trials which actually have a result for the measure. So if, for example, an animal spent 10s and 50s in a zone in the first two trials of a stage and then didn't enter the zone at all in the third trial, then the Minimum time in the zone in the three trials is 10s, not zero.

ResultForTrial

Returns the result of a particular measure for a specific trial in a specific stage. This can be useful when you want to calculate the results of one trial in relation to another. For example, to calculate the change in distance travelled between the first trial and subsequent trials in a stage.

ResultForLastTrial

Returns the result of a particular measure for the last trial in a stage. This is useful when a stage can be ended by a Stage end rule, as the index of the last trial will be different for different animals. For example, for one animal the last trial might be trial 4 whereas for another animal it might be trial 6.

ResultForPeriod

Returns the result of a particular measure for just a part of a test. For example, you could use this function to find out the distance travelled by the animal in the first two minutes of a five minute test. If a particular test ended during the period you specify, then its result will be the value up to the end of the test. If a particular test ended before the start of the period you specify, then its result will be undefined.

ANY-maze has been designed to be extended, and we'll be delighted to add any new functions you might find useful, for free! Just contact ANY-maze Support.

ANY-maze help topic T0625