Interactive documents for the specialized data collection of everyday experiences: operations for authoring, sharing and analysis

• Grant number: 15/07252-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2015
• End date: March 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Maria da Graca Campos Pimentel
• Grantee: André Luiz Carlomagno Rocha
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação (ICMC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/50761-2 - Models and methods of e-Science for life and agricultural sciences, AP.TEM

Abstract

The Experience Sampling Method (ESM) is a method that aims at collecting data from an individual within natural contexts of everyday life. In a study based on ESM, participants answer short questionnaires during the day, when reminded in some way. This approach reduces the cognitive effort required from participants compared to other techniques such as interviews and diaries. The wide availability of mobile devices equipped with sensors has enormously expanded information collection possibilities, including context information. As a result, several researchers have been investigating issues that related the themes of Ubiquitous Computing and variations ESM method. Considering that (a) the interest researchers from several are in the use of ESM method as a research tool; (b) the lack of resources relative to sharing, authoring and visualization; and (c) the relevance of a solution in the form of an open platform for the collection and analysis of data by researchers using the ESM method, this project aims at proposing a model, called openESM, which will provide a common language to allow researchers to share and reuse information and experiment specifications. In this context, the specific objectives of this project are: (a) to formalize of the openESM model via operators for authoring, sharing and analyzing information relating to both experiments and data captured during the experiments; (b) to implement the operations in a prototype with Web components and Android for smartphones; (C) to design, evaluate and evolve the model through two case studies: one in the field of education and the other in occupational therapy field -- the latter in scope of one project funded by the FAPESP-SPRINT Agreement. There will be a stage BEPE of 12 months at the University of Surrey, UK. (AU)