Wageningen, The Netherlands – April 1996. Utrecht University and Noldus Information Technology now announce Measuring Behavior ’96, to be held from 16 to 18 October at Utrecht University. The workshop provides an opportunity for the exchange of information and ideas among people interested in the methodological and technical aspects of behavioral research.

The last decade has seen a great deal of advancement in methods for the collection and analysis of behavioral data. Paper and pencil methods have been replaced by computer event recorders. We can now integrate observational data with physiological measurements and input from other sensors. With the advent of digital image processing and pattern recognition, will human observers become redundant? Automated systems are highly time-saving and more consistent in their operation than humans. However, they can generate more data than any observer can ever register manually. How do we keep this information flow under control? What are the true benefits from these automated methods? Given that human observers and automated systems each have their advantages and drawbacks, which recording procedure is best for a given behavioral paradigm? Where are we heading for, and what can we expect in the future? 

In order to provide an interactive forum to discuss these exciting aspects of our research field, we are organizing an international workshop around this theme. The meeting is co-organized by Utrecht University and Noldus Information Technology, manufacturer of software and instrumentation for behavioral research. Utrecht University and Noldus have a history of collaboration which illustrates that modern behavioral research cannot do without adequate technology, while software and instrumentation companies need to listen closely to the needs and wishes of their customers. An example is the Eureka project in which Utrecht University, Noldus and several European pharmaceutical companies participate. This project is aimed at the design of techniques for computer-aided recognition of behavioral patterns, in order to automate behavioral tests in the development of new drugs. 

The diversity of behavioral research makes it a very exciting market. The development of generic software tools can form a bridge between disciplines, which are often unaware of techniques already available in other fields. Thus, we have noticed that data analysis methods stemming from ethology are now being used by applied psychologists, and that path analysis techniques originally designed by entomologists are equally useful for behavioral pharmacologists studying rodents. Along this line, we hope that Measuring Behavior ’96 will serve as a common ground for cross-fertilization of behavioral research disciplines. 

The workshop offers a variety of ways to gather and exchange information: 

This refers to plenary sessions in which delegates present new methods and techniques for behavioral research, or innovative applications of existing techniques. Examples of topics are experimental design, data collection (new sensors, telemetry systems, animal marking techniques, observational methods, sampling methods, etc.), data analysis (integration of different data streams, statistics, data visualization, etc.), validation of a computer program for a particular behavioral paradigm, etc. You may submit a proposal for a presentation in one of the following formats: oral paper, poster or demonstration. The presentations are grouped in three main methodological areas: 

These sessions aim to provide a forum in which users of Noldus products: exchange information and experiences with fellow users, learn about the latest product developments, view prototypes of new products, and discuss product development, release schedules, installation and support procedures, etc.  

Througout the workshop, engineers and consultants will be present to provide free assistance and training in the use of software products. If you never have the time to learn new program functions, this is a great opportunity for a crash course! And if you don’t have time to train your students or assistants, this workshop is a very effective investment in their skills. For hands-on training in Noldus products and ongoing demonstrations, a computer room with fully operational systems will be set up. 

The Program Committee consists of:

Berry Spruijt, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands (chair);                                          Jan Mos, Solvay Duphar b.v., Weesp, The Netherlands;                                                       Lucas Noldus, Noldus Information Technology b.v., Wageningen, The Netherlands;                Frank Sams-Dodd, H. Lundbeck A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark;                                              Franz Josef van der Staay, Troponwerke, Köln, Germany.  

The information in Measuring Behavior ’96 is also available on the World Wide Web. The address of the workshop homepage is http://www.noldus.com/events/mb96/mb96.htm. The information there is updated continuously.