Why use TRACE?
Based on researchers' needs, TRACE creates tailored survey applications to be utilized by themselves or in conjunction with other data collection methodologies. The survey applications can work in parallel to other technologies, e.g., with external sensors, or be integrated with those.
Although the methods below do not necessarily require the use of technology, advances in mobile technology (e.g., cell phones, smartphones, ambulatory physiological monitoring devices, wearable monitoring devices, etc.) have greatly improved the range and ease of data collection.
If you are interested in using any of these methodologies described below or if you want to know if TRACE is the right fit for your project, please email src_trace@psu.edu.
Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) or Experience Sampling
This method allows participants to report on symptoms, affect, behavior, and preferences close in time to the experience. The participant reports can be self-initiated or triggered by a random phone “beep” or at pre-established interval beeps.
Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI)
Psychosocial and behavioral treatments can be extended to individuals as they go about their daily lives. Mobile technology can facilitate the integration of assessment and intervention methodology to create dynamically changing personal interventions.
Daily Diary Techniques
Daily diary methods involve repeated self-reports to capture events, reflections, moods, health status, or interactions close to the actual occurrence. Diary entries could be triggered by events or at pre-established intervals.
Ambulatory Monitoring of Physiological Function or Physical Activity
This could include heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration monitoring, or other physiological functions. Physical Activity monitoring can include ambulatory distance traveled, number of steps, rate of activity, or overall distance traveled as measured with GPS technology.
Ambulatory Cognitive Testing
Using a variety of cognitive tests, this type of assessment can be used to track and evaluate dynamic changes in cognitive function.
Assessment of Ambient Environmental Parameters
This type of assessment could be used to evaluate natural or manufactured environmental preferences and the impacts on behavior and well-being.
Our services are not limited to the methodologies defined above and we are committed to continual expansion of the services we provide in order to improve research and optimize data collection.