biostudies-literatureZorowitz SNational Center for Advancing Translational SciencesNCATS NIH HHSNational Institute of Mental HealthNational Institutes of HealthNational Science Foundation789-797https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10440239biostudies-literatureUnknown8(8)Cognitive tasks are capable of providing researchers with crucial insights into the relationship between cognitive processing and psychiatric phenomena. However, many recent studies have found that task measures exhibit poor reliability, which hampers their usefulness for individual differences research. Here, we provide a narrative review of approaches to improve the reliability of cognitive task measures. Specifically, we introduce a taxonomy of experiment design and analysis strategies for improving task reliability. Where appropriate, we highlight studies that are exemplary for improving the reliability of specific task measures. We hope that this article can serve as a helpful guide for experimenters who wish to design a new task, or improve an existing one, to achieve sufficient reliBiological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimagingImproving the Reliability of Cognitive Task Measures: A Narrative Review.PMC1044023983,8481,82UL1 TR003017UL1TR003017aNiv YZorowitz SfalseImproving the Reliability of Cognitive Task Measures: A Narrative Review.Cognitive tasks are capable of providing researchers with crucial insights into the relationship between cognitive processing and psychiatric phenomena. However, many recent studies have found that task measures exhibit poor reliability, which hampers their usefulness for individual differences research. Here, we provide a narrative review of approaches to improve the reliability of cognitive task measures. Specifically, we introduce a taxonomy of experiment design and analysis strategies for improving task reliability. Where appropriate, we highlight studies that are exemplary for improving the reliability of specific task measures. We hope that this article can serve as a helpful guide for experimenters who wish to design a new task, or improve an existing one, to achieve sufficient reli2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Aug2025-04-04T00:08:45.53Z2025-04-04T00:08:45.53ZS-EPMC104402393684249810.1016/j.bpsc.2023.02.004