expt2json

expt2json is a software utility that converts experimental metadata and event data into JSON. It aims to provide a structured, machine-readable representation of experiment configurations, participants, stimuli, responses, and timing. The tool is used in research fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and human-computer interaction to support data sharing and analysis pipelines.

Input data may come from CSV or TSV files, spreadsheets (XLSX), or configuration files in YAML or JSON. It can also ingest simple log formats if the relevant fields are identifiable. A configuration file, supplied by the user, defines how input fields map to the JSON schema, enabling consistent outputs across projects.

The output is a hierarchical JSON document that typically includes experiment metadata (id, title, date, investigators), participants, and a nested structure of blocks, trials, stimuli, and responses. Timestamps use ISO 8601 format, and optional attributes such as accuracy or reaction times can be included when present. Outputs can be compact or pretty-printed.

Common features include a command-line interface, configurable field mappings, optional schema validation, and error reporting with line numbers. expt2json is designed to integrate with data pipelines and downstream tools, including validation frameworks and analysis packages.

In practice, expt2json helps standardize experimental data for reuse, replication studies, and cross-project collaborations, across domains that rely on structured trial-level records.