The Observer XT

Mobile observation with Pocket Observer

If you need to be mobile during observations, you can use Pocket Observer installed on a handheld device (for example a smartphone) to score the behaviors.

Coding behavior while walking around

Imagine children on a playground, customers in a busy supermarket, or animals in their natural environment. They are constantly on the move and you need to observe them unobtrusively. In these situations, Pocket Observer is the ideal solution to code behavior. With Pocket Observer, you can record observational data in great detail. And, Pocket Observer makes data coding easy with its user-friendly interface.

The Observer XT is the most complete software for behavioral research. Supporting you from coding behaviors on a timeline and unraveling the sequence of events to integrating different data modalities in a complete lab.

  • Code behaviors in a quantitative way and visualize them on a timeline

  • Automatically synchronize multiple data streams

  • Calculate statistics and assess reliability

 


Using Pocket Observer on a tablet

Benefits

Observe behavior unobtrusively using Pocket Observer on a handheld device:

  • Maximum freedom in moving
  • Observe unobtrusively
  • Code on a smartphone or tablet
  • Cost-effective
  • User-friendly software
 


Mobile observation with Pocket Observer

If you need to be mobile during observations, but also require accurate coding and analysis, Pocket Observer offers the best solution for your research by combining the power of The Observer® XT with the portability of a handheld device. Pocket Observer allows you to code behavior while literally looking over the shoulder of free ranging test participants and subjects, in just about any location. 

The Pocket Observer was designed for ambulatory and outdoor observations. It is a special add-on for live coding that runs on smartphones and tablets that are suitable for outdoor use. You can choose almost any Android smartphone as recording device making the Noldus Pocket Observer for Android a very cost-effective coding solution.

The interface of Pocket Observer is especially designed for live behavioral scoring. And just like with The Observer XT, you can add behaviors while you are observing and score continuously as well as instantaneously (at set intervals).

 


Pocket Observer on a smartphone or tablet

Pocket Observer is software that runs on handheld devices, such as smartphones. This event recording tool has been optimized for use on Android 9 and higher - attracting not nearly as much attention as a clipboard. The Pocket Observer for Android has many advantages. The interface of Pocket Observer has been tested and redesigned to make it more intuitive. For example, the event recorder can be customized by magnifying behavior buttons in order to code behaviors simply and accurately by tapping the touchscreen. Additionally, Pocket Observer can be used in both portrait and landscape mode.

SS Pocket Observer handheld tablet
 


How does Pocket Observer work?

  • Set up your project in The Observer XT research software. The software allows for the setup of a coding scheme and definition of independent variables. An Android platform smartphone can handle up to 250 coding scheme elements.
  • Upload this coding scheme to Pocket Observer, running on your smartphone, and you are ready to start collecting your data. Check which code corresponds with which behavior, subject, or modifier. When you discover a new behavior during a live observation, you can add this to your coding scheme on the smartphone. You do not have to go back to your PC to make changes. With Pocket Observer software, you can use both time (instantaneous) and continuous sampling. Time sampling is a straightforward method that is often used in live observations.
  • During your observation you can code subject, behaviors, and modifiers by tapping the touchscreen. You can also insert markers. For example, when noticing an interesting event, something unexpected, or an event that cannot be adequately described by the elements in the coding scheme, you can insert a marker. A marker is added to the comment field. Therefore, the marked event can easily be retrieved after the observation.
  • Per event you can add comments. Easily record notes and write out conversations. When imported in The Observer XT, the text is visualized in the event log and in a separate window.
  • After observing, you simply import the observation data to The Observer XT for analysis. You can integrate your handheld observation data with audio, video, or physiological data. When downloading your data to The Observer XT, you can integrate all files into one observation project for joint visualization and analysis.
 








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