Let´s do it together!

Psychology and computer science together result in innovative study designs and new possibilities for data evaluation and visualisation.

Thanks to the collaboration with computer scientists from the University of Konstanz in the working groups of Prof. Dr Reiterer - Human-Computer-Interaction and Prof. Dr Daniel Keim - Daten Analysis & Visualisation , we are able to adapt computer science technology precisely to questions from psychology.

[Translate to Englisch:] Systemkonzept von SMARTMOBILITY, Entwicklung einer App zur Gesundheitsförderung
[Translate to Englisch:] Systemkonzept von SMARTMOBILITY, Toolbox zur Verhaltensänderung im Projekt SMARTACT ©AG Reiterer

Innovative methods - latest technology

In the SMARTMOBILITY sub-project, the working group Reiterer provided the technical implementation of the SMARTACT Toolbox - a toolbox for behavioural change. The mobile app combines several tools to promote physical activity and a normal diet: the physical activity tracking tool tracks physical activity (e.g. step counting), the food diary makes it possible to document food intake, the questionnaire tool records eating motives and the feedback tool offers users an interactive multidimensional visualisation of the collected data. The user-centred design approach minimises the burden of manual data entry and maximises user-friendliness. In addition, the app recognises daily routines to avoid notifying users in inappropriate situations. For the researchers, an export tool offers the possibility to export the data stored on the server. This data can then be used for collaborative visual data analysis.

[Translate to Englisch:] Besuch des Wissenschaftlichen Beirats von SMARTACT im Labor Mensch-Computer-Interaktion
[Translate to Englisch:] Das Bild zeigt Prof. Dr. Ralf Schwarzer und Prof. Dr. Carol Boushey (Mitglieder des wissenschaftlichen Beirats des Projekts SMARTACT) beim Besuch im Labor der Arbeitsgruppe von Prof. Dr. Harald Reiterer, Universität Konstanz. Die Geräte sind "HTC Vive" Virtual Reality Brillen, an denen zwei stereoskopische Kameras befestigt wurden ©Christian Hartz

Comprehensive analysis of complex data

Immersive technologies such as augmented reality devices open up new scope for the collaborative visual analysis of multidimensional data. Members of the SMARTACT scientific advisory board enjoyed trying out the "ART" system from working group Reiterer at a project meeting.

[Translate to Englisch:] Abbildung 2 aus Debbeler et al. (2018), Ergebnisse der Risikowahrnehmung bei Leitungs- und Flaschenwasser
[Translate to Englisch:] Abbildung 2 aus Debbeler et al. (2018), Ergebnisse der Risikowahrnehmung bei Leitungs- und Flaschenwasser

Visualisation of data distributions

Thanks to our collaboration with working group Keim, we can use the v-plot designer to display data distributions in the best possible way. v-plots are customisable, combine different chart types and enable the simultaneous comparison of data distributions at different aggregation levels.

Examples of publications that use v-plots to compare data distributions:

  • Debbeler, L. J. Gamp, M., Blumenschein, M., Keim, D. A., & Renner, B. (2018). Polarized but illusory beliefs about tap and bottled water: A product- and consumer-oriented survey and blind tasting experiment. Science of the Total Environment, 643, 1400-1410. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.190
  • Lages, N.C., Debbeler, L.J., Blumenschein, M., Kollmann, J., Szymczak, H., Keim, D.A., Schupp, H.T. and Renner, B. (2021), Dynamic Risk Perceptions in Times of Avian and Seasonal Influenza Epidemics: A Repeated Cross‐Sectional Design. Risk Analysis. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13706.