The Observer XT feature index: 

Modules
Setting up experiments
Designing a coding scheme
Observing behavior
Selecting data
Visualizing data
Analyzing data
Advanced Analysis Module
Import/export
Preferences
Multi-user set-ups
Interoperability
 

 

More information

For more information on the features of The Observer XT you can download the product leaflet for human applicationsor animal applicationsor fill out a form to request information.

  

 

 

 

Modules

Combine the modules of The Observer XT to obtain an optimal solution:

• Base Module: for live coding, off-line editing and analysis of behavioral data.
• Advanced Analysis Module: for calculating inter- and intrarater reliability and for lag sequential analysis.
• Video Module: for synchronized recording and playback of video, and off-line scoring of video.
• Multiple Video Extension: playback of four instead of two digital media files.
• External Data Module: for synchronized recording of data on an external data acquisition system.
• Screen Capture Module: an add-on product for recording computer screens as a digital media file.
• Mobile Module: for use of Pocket Observer, the version that runs on handheld computers.

 

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Setting up experiments 

• Effective and efficient data management through projects containing a coding scheme, recorded observational data, videos, and analysis results. Data within one project are always kept consistent.
• Define independent variables and link them to an observation, event log, or subject.
• Set if the independent variables must be prompted for.
• Set for every new observation a fixed observation length if necessary.
• Set default settings per project to define the standard way of working.
• Use default settings as a template for new observations.

 

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Designing a coding scheme

• Powerful coding syntax: define subjects, behaviors and modifiers.
• Start observing or just log comments without a coding scheme.
• Edit the coding scheme at any time, even while observing. 
• Organize subjects and behaviors in groups and sub-groups.
• Define an unlimited number of modifiers for each subject and behavior.
• Set per behavior if it is a state event or point event.
• Define any set of codes to describe what you see.
• Define per group if state events are mutually exclusive or start/stop and set a default state.
• Set if modifiers are nominal or rating scales.
• Set if a modifier group is compulsory or optional to score.
• Define key codes for starting and stopping, or set them as system generated.
• Set if key codes are case sensitive.
• For state events, set the start and stop key separately or the same.
• Set and customize sound feedback upon pressing a key, finishing an item, or finishing a line.
• Customize the sounds: select a .WAV file to play for coding scheme elements.
• Set channels if you want to prevent errors: a list of appropriate subject-behavior combinations.
• Use the configuration checker to check the coding scheme on-line for errors.
• Lock the coding scheme to prevent accidental editing.

 

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Observing behavior

• Unlimited number of observations per project
• Score behavior by pressing key codes or clicking with the mouse and/or log comments.
• Observe and score live or off-line.
• Rescore and edit live observations off-line, with or without video.
• All data can be played back synchronously.
• Add digital media files, extra event logs or physiological data streams off-line.
• Superior video operation and synchronization - fully integrated technology, no dependency on 3rd party media players.
• Play MPEG-1 and 2, Microsoft MPEG-4, DivX, DV-AVI, Microsoft AVI, uncompressed AVI, or WMV files.
• Play digital tapes from video recorder or digital camera through FireWire.
• Record two videos (Video Module only) with FireWire or USB cameras during live observations. Frame accurate sync with behavioral data.
• Record screen capture images without scan converter or installing software on the test computer.
• Create an unlimited number of event logs per observation.
• Set the suspend and resume function so that ‘missed’ time does not invalidate statistics.
• Customize the observation screen according to your wishes.
• Automatically synchronize acquired data (External Data Module only) from external systems.
• Robust synchronization with DAQ systems throughout the observation – drift proof!
• For use of Pocket Observer, transfer coding schemes and download scored data.
• Import event log templates for scan sampling with video.
  
  

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Selecting data

• Apply filters to all the observations in your project or a subset.
• Store and re-use an unlimited number of filters.
• Select subsets of observations by independent variables or manually.
• Filter relevant behavior out by selecting behaviors, subjects and modifiers.
• Use nesting if you want to know what happened while a behavior was active.
• Group observations, behaviors, subjects and modifiers into new items for the analysis.
• Select parts of the observation by defining time intervals based on behaviors and/or time criteria.
• Combine any criterion with any other by AND and OR.
• Create multiple outputs with different criteria in one filter.
• Split statistics over multiple equal time bins to study time related effects.  

 

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Visualizing data

• See the behavioral data, video and physiological data in one plot.
• Visualize multiple observations at once to compare flows of events.
• Generate video highlight clips based on scored behaviors.
• Create data clips of behavior and physiology.
• Add transitions and subtitles to the generated video clip.

 

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Analyzing data

• Apply any filter to any analys
• Grouped analysis of observations and coding scheme items possible
• Multi-level analysis of observations, subjects, behaviors and modifiers
• Fully customizable analysis: subtotals, order and hierarchical levels, items to show, layout of reports. No need to reformat for use in other packages!
• Calculate a number of elementary statistics for frequency and duration of behaviors.
• Analyze an unlimited number of observations at once.
• Open the results of multiple analyses at once to compare results.
• Export results to Excel or SPSS.
  
  
  

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Advanced Analysis Module

• Calculate inter-and intrarater reliability with Cohen’s Kappa and Pearson’s Rho.
• Track coding errors in a list of comparsions.
• Find systematic coding differences in a confusion matrix.
• Process multiple observation pairs at once, with summary and detail results.
• Calculate transition matrixes in Lag Sequential Analysis.
• Use state lag -9 to +9 or a fixed time lag.
  
  

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Import/export

• Import projects from or export to The Observer 5.0.
• Build for each type of input file an import filter.
• Use predefined import filters for common file types.
• Import event log data and external data from physiological or other measurements.
• Export event log data, analysis results and selected events as text files into other programs.
• Export video fragments.
• Export external data highlights based on scored behaviors.

 

 

 

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Preferences

• Change the terminology in The Observer to suit your research area.
• Specify the location where The Observer should store created videos, projects and external data.

 

 

 

 

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Multi-user set-ups

• Create coding-only project copies, to distribute among students and co-workers.
• Code on different workstations, export data in XML format. 
• Forward observations to other coders, who can add more data.
• Import the collected data from all observers in the original project, and run the analysis on all data at once.
• Distinguish between the data recorded by different people in the same observation by using separate event logs.  
  
  

 

 

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Interoperability

• Utilize the built-in application launcher to use The Observer with other programs.
• Connect a wide range of data acquisition equipment to The Observer.
• Connect with digital or analog cameras, consumer range or professional quality.
• Integrate data from external systems with your logged events.
• Link The Observer with video hardware, eye-trackers, MPEG encoders, and many more.
• The use of standard techniques facilitates connecting any other equipment.
• XML-based data interchange.
• Plugin utility for COM objects: have your own software components for data recording and playback work with The Observer XT!
  

 

 

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