Reducing data collection time between 2019 and 2023

To understand what could be improved for the 2023 data collection, notes from the 2019 data collection were reviewed and past researchers were interviewed. Improvements were made based on the primary issues.

The primarily issues from 2019 were:

1. Data Collection Sessions were split between 7 days

   • 11 researchers participated, with 4 researchers per session

     • Breaks were not scheduled

     • Many researchers were taking shifts back-to-back

     • Each session was on a different day. For 5/7 sessions set up and taken down occurred on the same day

2. Time-per-participant was too high

   • Increased physical and cognitive exertion of the participants and researchers

3. Equipment issues occurred during data collection

   • Equipment did not work through the entire study and an alternative equipment was used; however, protocols were not tested with the equipment which led to poor quality data

Revisions based on the primary issues from 2019

1. Adjust Scheduling

   • Data collection sessions were split between 2 days, instead of 7 days

     • 10 researchers participated with 5 researchers per session

     • Breaks were scheduled

     • Researchers were only scheduled for 1 shift per day (6-7 hours)

   • 2 sessions were scheduled for each day, which minimized set up and take down

2. Adjust Protocol

   • Minimize the time per participant

     • Decrease physical and cognitive exertion of the participants

       • Tools were created to decrease physical exertion of participants (frames created to hold arm and stabilize hand)

       • Survey was adjusted to decrease cognitive exertion of participants

     • Decrease physical and cognitive exertion of the researchers

       • Built-in breaks and the creation of a float position were implemented to decrease physical exertion of the researchers

       • Increased training before event and the creation of visual guides were implemented to decrease cognitive exertion of the researchers

3. Ensuring equipment would not fail during data collection

   • Additional equipment acquired

   • Protocol included rest time for equipment to be switched out

Driven to Discover 2019

My role: Team Member

• Data Collection Sessions: 7 sessions; 6-7 hours per session = 42 – 49 hours

• Estimated Time-per-Participant: 20 – 23 mins/participant

• Space for Data Collection: 12 feet by 13 feet

• Goal: 300 participants

• Recruited: 319 participants

• Researchers who assisted with Data Collection: 11

Impacts:

The impact of improved data collection protocols had on the Driven to Discover data collection events from 2019 to 2023 included:

• More Cost Effective

  • 4 shifts (rental space at $3,000) vs 7 shifts (rental space at $5,350)

• More Participants in Less Time

  • 420 participants in 24 – 28 hours (2023) vs 319 participants in 42 – 49 hours (2019)

• Reduced Data Collection Time

  • 3-5 mins per participant (2023) vs 20 – 23 mins per participant (2019)

• Happier Participants and Researchers = More likely to participate and better data!

  • Protocols were created to decrease physical and cognitive exertion of participants and researchers