There is a difference between perception and what is perceived — the knower and the known. As Husserl said, intentionality — that all thought is intended toward something — is the essence of consciousness.

We make decisions, hopefully after we have contemplated the various available alternatives. I would say that the contemplation if more the evidence of free will.

You refer to a one-off study that has been refuted for its poor methodology. What’s ironic, is that these “researchers” who desire to deny free will not only assume their conclusion and invent reasons to justify their bias, they use language affirming free will to deny free will — “we invent” for example.