Making the most of Sensor Data
mEMA gives you access to the raw data any given mobile device may be able to collect. Sensors are used for a variety of applications, and the data they provide can be interpreted with proprietary methods. We make no guarantee as to the amount or quality of the data collected, nor do we interpret it. Our program simply gives you access to whatever the device is collecting and delivering.
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.