Cognitive Science Power Analysis

Purpose

This skill encodes domain-specific knowledge for planning adequately powered studies in cognitive science and neuroscience. It provides:

• Effect size priors calibrated to specific paradigms and modalities (behavioral, EEG/ERP, fMRI, clinical/developmental)
• Sample size recommendations grounded in empirical meta-analyses rather than arbitrary conventions
• Power analysis workflow guidance tailored to the design complexities of cognitive neuroscience (repeated measures, multilevel, neuroimaging-specific tools)

An AI agent needs this because generic power analysis advice (e.g., "use G*Power with d = 0.5") fails to capture the enormous variability in effect sizes across cognitive science paradigms, and because neuroimaging modalities have unique statistical considerations.

When to Use This Skill

• A researcher is designing a new behavioral, EEG, or fMRI experiment and needs sample size justification
• A grant proposal requires a power analysis section
• A preregistration document needs effect size justification and sample size rationale
• Someone asks "how many participants do I need?" for a cognitive/neuroscience study
• Reviewing whether a published study was adequately powered