JWatcher-event recorder and behavioral analysis program

描述（申请人提供）：行为量化是许多学科的基础问题，也是从行为生态学和行为学到发展心理生物学和神经生理学到兽医学等各种理论问题的基础问题。研究人员经常使用被称为“事件记录器”的计算机程序来协助对行为进行定量研究。现有的程序只能在一种类型的计算机上运行（即，它们只能在DOS、Windows或Macintosh操作系统上运行），通常有一些限制，会干扰对行为结构的理解，而且每份程序可能要花费数千美元。我们已经开发了一个用Java TM计算机语言编写的事件记录器和数据分析程序的工作原型，该程序可在任何现代微型计算机上运行。我们包含了新颖的算法，允许用户对行为进行一次评分，并多次分析结果数据记录，以更深入地了解行为的结构。该原型设计用于与现有的电子表格和图形程序协同工作。我们的目标是通过以下方式完成开发：对其进行更新，使其能够在未来的Java操作系统（Java 2）上运行；增加了组合结果文件和测量观察者可靠性的能力；增加序列分析算法；添加图形输出，这样用户就不必使用其他程序来可视化行为；为Palm操作系统pda开发一个集成的事件记录器，以便用户能够在现场条件下对行为进行评分并使用JWatcher进行分析。我们向研究社区免费分发JWatcher，并打算继续这样做。我们的目标是为生物医学界的研究和教学提供一个强大的工具，以促进行为研究，而无需在商业软件上花费稀缺的研究资金。虽然我们将继续免费分发软件，但将通过销售详细的用户手册来支持持续的支持和例行更新，其中将包括适合教学的实验室练习。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Quantifying behavior is a fundamental problem in many academic disciplines and for a variety of theoretical problems ranging from behavioral ecology and ethology through developmental psychobiology and neurophysiology to veterinary medicine. Researchers often use computer programs called 'event recorders' to assist in the quantitative study of behavior. Existing programs only run on one type of computer (i.e., they only work in DOS, Windows or Macintosh operating systems), typically have constraints that interfere with understanding the structure of behavior, and may cost thousands of dollars per copy. We have developed a working prototype of an event recorder and data analysis program written in the Java TM computer language that operates on any modern microcomputer. We have included novel algorithms that permit users to score behavior once and analyze the resulting data record many times to obtain a deeper understanding of the structure of behavior. The prototype is designed to work in concert with existing spreadsheet and graphics programs. We aim to complete development by: updating it so that it can run on the Java operating system of the future (Java 2); adding the ability to combine results files and measure observer reliability; adding sequential analysis algorithms; adding graphical output so that users will not have to use other programs to visualize behavior; developing an integrated event-recorder for Palm operating system PDAs so that users will be able to score behavior under field conditions and analyze it using JWatcher. We distribute JWatcher without charge to the research community and intend to continue doing so. Our goal is to provide a powerful tool for research and teaching for the biomedical community that facilitates the study of behavior without spending scarce research funds on commercial software. While we will continue to freely-distribute the software, on-going support and routine updates will be supported by the sales of a detailed users manual, which will include laboratory exercises suitable for teaching.