Jwatcher: a new tool for acquisition and analysis of observational data [Jwatcher : un nouvel outil d'acquisition et d'analyse de donnèes d'observation].

Résumé

We have developed, and freely distribute, JWatcher: an event-recording and focal data analysis program. JWatcher is written entirely in Java and consequently runs on any modern microcomputer, regardless of operating system. Our philosophy is that users should only need to score behavior once. Flexible data post-processing allows a wide variety of analyses, all based upon the same original data file. These can consider a subset of key codes, or explore patterns of behavior using different time windows. Both event (frequency) and state (duration) descriptive statistics are available. A batch-processing mode permits efficient analysis of large numbers of observation data files. Errorchecking functions are built into the analysis algorithms. It is straightforward to export data and results to spreadsheet and statistics programs for further processing. Versions of JWatcher for Mac and PC, together with a 33 page manual, can be downloaded from the web site.