Onset Program

Baseline selection provides the reference against which later neural, physiological, or behavioral measurements are evaluated. The onset estimate depends on identifying a meaningful departure from that reference, so an unsuitable baseline can shift the apparent start of an event. Establishing the baseline before applying amplitude, timing, or statistical criteria supports more consistent interpretation across recordings and experiments.

Each criterion emphasizes a different feature of the emerging response. An amplitude rule identifies when a signal becomes sufficiently large, a timing rule focuses on when the change occurs within the recording, and a statistical rule identifies a departure that meets a significance threshold. Because these criteria may mark different points, researchers should define the rule before comparing onset measurements.

The framework can be applied to time-resolved recordings of neural activity, physiological changes, behavioral responses, sensory processing, motor responses, and event-related signals. This range allows researchers to examine when different components of an observed event begin. Comparing onset estimates across these signal types can help clarify whether neural, physiological, and behavioral changes occur at similar or different times.

A typical analysis begins by organizing a time-resolved recording and identifying an appropriate baseline period. Researchers then inspect the signal for a departure from baseline and apply predefined criteria based on amplitude, timing, or statistical significance. The resulting onset estimate can be documented and compared across trials or experiments, provided the same analytical logic is used consistently.

Researchers may use it when the timing of a neural, physiological, or behavioral response is central to the research question. Examples supported by the framework include sensory processing, motor responses, neural activity, and event-related signals. Measuring onset gives experiments a consistent temporal reference, helping investigators compare conditions and examine how brain activity relates to observed behavior.

Onset measurements identify when a response first becomes detectable relative to a defined baseline. When researchers compare these estimates across neural activity, physiological signals, or behavior, the timing can help clarify relationships among those events. The measurements do not simply describe whether a response occurred; they add temporal information that improves comparisons across experiments and supports analysis of response development over time.