How To: Configure Settings for Sensor Data Collection
Collect Location, Audio, Light and Acceleration Data using the device's built-in sensors.
Adjust Settings in mEMA
From the My mEMA Home page, select the gear icon.
At the bottom of this Settings Window check the box titled "Enable Device Sensors"
From the drop down menu, select your settings for Audio and Location Services
NOTE: Prolonged location data collection can strain the device's battery.
Adjust Settings on Device
When you set up the individual participating in your study, make sure that when they first download the app, they allow all sensors and location services permissions that are requested. If
What to Expect from Sensors
The amount of data that can be expected from any device can vary depending on several factors.
Device Type
In general, Android devices have more sensors available for data collection, and more relaxed parameters for extracting that data as compared to Apple devices.
User Habits
The way a participant uses their device has a huge affect on the amount of data available. For instance, someone who uses several different apps will have less working memory available for sensor data collection, because their commands take priority over all other processes. Apple phones in particular, but also Android devices, will turn off sensor data collection in the background automatically if low battery mode is turned on, or if there are lots of programs running simultaneously.
Data Quality
The data that you'll find in the reports provided by ilumivu are not filtered or interpreted. All of the data you'll be collecting is coming directly from the devices sensors. Accuracy and consistency in data collection can be improved by regularly reviewing device settings and data quality. Using devices in this way is a new approach for both research and technology. These devices were not designed with us in mind, and correlations between human behavior and the various types of data available are yet to be made. This information should be considered an addition to the research being done with your questionnaires, which will gain more meaning over time as the industry learns how to extrapolate meaning and collect the information more reliably.
Enable device sensors Available on select accounts
Check this if you want to collect in-phone sensor data from user's phones such as barometric pressure, temperature, and more.
Location Tracking Available on select accounts
Check this if you want to collect location information from user's phones.
All Acceleration Available on select accounts
Check this if you want to collect raw accelerometer data from user's phones.
Geo Tracking Available on select accounts.
In this window you have to option to capture geolocation data periodically according specified times, or by distance and time triggered by how far the device has traveled.
Click here to learn more about the different ways to use Geolocation Services.
Audio Tracking Available on select accounts.
When enabled this feature collects information regarding sound occurring near the device. Choose whether to track all sound, just human voices, both, or none. Select the frequency of audio tracking with the Time On and Time Between boxes, or choose for audio collection only when a survey is open.
Click here to learn more about understanding the audio tracking data table.