Data AcQuisition (DAQ) systems

Behavioral studies are mostly focused on measuring overt behaviors, related to experimental variables. In order to gain insight int0 the inner state of your test participants, we offer several Data AcQuisition (DAQ) systems that work in conjunction with The Observer® XT. You can set up synchronous recordings of physiological data, video, and behavior which allows you to carefully study the interaction between external events, physiological responses, and the resulting behaviorAmbgroup. 

 

  • Measure the internal state of your test participant.
  • Collect ECG, skin conductance, respiration, and more.
  • Easily and accurately synchronize physiological responses with behavioral coding.
  • Study the interplay of external events, physiology, and behavior.

 

The inner world
Although your test participant may appear to be calm, he or she may be concealing a considerable amount of stress. To reveal this level of stress, you can combine behavioral coding with physiological measurements acquired with a DAQ system. For example, skin conductance is a method of measuring the electrical conductance of the skin which is used as an indication of psychological or physiological arousal. A combination of physiological and behavioral data can provide you with essential information that will help you to further understand and explain your participants’ behaviors. In some cases, you might find that your test participant is tense due to environmental variables, such as the behavior of another person, or the difficulties that the software presents the test participant with. Of course, we can also support you in measuring heart rate, skin resistance, skin temperature, muscle tension (EMG), neuronal activity (EEG), and more.Bippac

 

Multimodal research
DAQ systems enable you to study almost any research topic involving emotions, or mental and physical load. We help you build the right solution, consisting of a DAQ system and The Observer XT, the ideal platform for multimodal research. The DAQ system can be started from The Observer XT. Furthermore, The Observer XT will send out a synchronization signal to the DAQ system, making sure your external data is in sync with your video recording. And to make the solution complete, The Observer XT External Data Module (read more on p. ) has predefined import profiles for the acquired data. You can easily link external data such as heart rate measurements to a specific observation. This allows you to import, select, analyze, combine, and work with the external data that you collected.

 

Equipment
Since The Observer XT is set up to work with a broad range of equipment from several suppliers, we can offer a wide range of DAQ devices, including:

  • Stationary and wireless data acquisition base units, consisting of:

- ECG module (heart activity)

- EEG module (brain activity)

- EMG module (muscle activity)

- EOG module (horizontal eye movements)

- GSR module (transpiration)

- Respiration module (VO2 and Respiration Exchange Ratio)

- Oxygen saturation module (non-invasive)

- Heart beat module (non-invasive)

- Blood pressure module (non-invasive)

  • Portable heart rate monitor

Please contact our sales department if you have any questions or if you are looking for technical specifications. As technology rapidly advances, we are more than happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information.

 

The Observer XT and E-prime
E-prime from Psychology Software Tools (PST) is a stimulus presentation program widely used in psychological research. The combination of The Observer XT and E-prime provides insight in the relationship between behavior and presented stimulus. In The Observer XT you can use the free interval selection with which you can define an interval for one kind of data and observe the direct link between this data and all other data in that interval.

 

Preferred supplierspolar-watch
We only work with world-class suppliers. Our preferred suppliers for DAQ devices are:

  • Biopac Systems, Inc.
  • Mindware Technologies
  • Polar Electric

 

Selected custom integrations
The Observer XT has previously also been integrated with:

  • ADInstruments
  • Becker Meditec
  • Biosemi
  • EGI
  • TMS International
  • VU-AMS
  • G-tec

 Note: other brands and types of DAQ equipment can be delivered or integrated as custom solutions. See the custom solutions section or contact your sales representative.