The first purpose of the test is to understand if the way we sonify data [ Parameter mapping ] is clear and useful. Second, we would like to know which type of sound characteristic is more suitable and which type of sound (tuned or noise) is better.
The experiment has three steps. In this page you will find the relevant information about the steps along with some instructions to guide you during testing.
The experiment has three steps. In this page you will find the relevant information about the steps along with some instructions to guide you during testing.
[1] Preliminary Questionnaire
Time required:
Maximum 15 min;
Schedule:
After reading all the information presented here on the website, you can move on to complete this preliminary form any time before starting the step [2]. No specific knowledge or preparation are required.
Purpose:
To gather an overview of your previous knowledge on water plants, cyber security and audio and music competences.
How to do it:
Here you can find the form to complete.
[2] Sonification listening and Questionnaire
Time required:
max 5 minutes every hour/ 8 times (total of 8 hours = one working day). Because this is a real - world experiment, we need to test our prototypes during your routine work activity. Therefore, we do not require you to change any habit (except for filling out a very simple and short form once an hour - details below). On the contrary, we strongly encourage you to maintain your usual behaviour at work.
Tests are planned from 10am to 5pm.
Schedule:
Tests are planned over two weeks but single days for each testing are not fixed. Testers can organize their schedule, as long as they keep one or two days between each individual test.
Each prototype will be tested during a regular working day, for a total of 4 days splitted over 2 weeks:
Week 1
// 14-18 January
Week 2
// 21-25 January
Purpose:
To validate the use of a specific sound and sound characteristics for communicating information on the status of the network; to evaluate the capability of the operator to correctly understand the meaning of the information conveyed by sound.
How it works:
On testing day, the user will open the test-application in the morning and then start working normally. Sonification will automatically be played every hour. As mentioned, sonifications have a maximum duration of 10 seconds. This hourly sonification will be played three times in a row, to avoid it to get lost due to a minor distraction (since it is very short). After each hourly sonification the tester is asked to complete a short form about what she/he has just heard. The form will be accessible via the test-application. It is very important that the form is completed just after the sonification, since sonifications happen once an hour and it will be too easy to forget the details of what you heard.
Additional steps we ask you to perform before you start testing:
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Take a picture of the space where you carry out the test, if possible. This is useful for us to see your working environment.
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Before the test begins, check that the volume of your computer (or the device you are using) is on and appropriate. You can use speakers or headphones, as you prefer. But please make sure you will be able to hear the sounds during the whole testing day.
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The test application needs to remain open during the whole testing day. You can minimize the application window but remember - do not close it! Closing it will automatically switch off all sounds, and with it, the whole test.
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After each sonification session the filling up of a short questionnaire is required (please see above). This will take no more than 3 minutes. The link to the questionnaire will be available from the test-application, after each sonification.
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Any personal feedback, opinion and advice will be much appreciated during the [3] Follow up Interview, so, if needed, you are invited to take notes during the test.
[3] Follow up Interview
Time required:
Maximum 1 hour.
Schedule:
After the completion of all the tests. We will try to keep flexible to adjust to your timing. You will be able to express your availability via the [1] Preliminary Questionnaire form.
Purpose:
To gather insights on possible design issues of the prototypes and to better understand the user-prototype relationship.
How to plan it:
You will be contacted to set up the interview according to the availability you gave us during the [1] Preliminary Questionnaire.