A microcomputer method for behavioral data acquisition and subsequent analysis

Abstract

Using a microcomputer (TRS80, Model III), a modular procedure is described which allows rapid manual encoding of visually-observed behavioural units (module 1); processing of the data (e.g., calculation of frequency, duration, latency, sequence analysis) (module 2) and statistical analysis (module 3). This method can be used in several behavioural tasks and provides the possibility of various subsequent analysis without re-encoding or transcribing the initial data.