A computer-aided digital audio recording and encoding system for improving the encoding of verbal reports.

Area of Science:

• Psychological Research Methods
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Data Science

Background:

• Increasing reliance on verbal reports in psychological studies necessitates improved data handling.
• Current methods for collecting and coding verbal data can be cumbersome and prone to errors.
• Digital recording offers potential for greater efficiency and accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel approach for managing digital audio verbal report data.
• To introduce CAPAS, a computer-aided tool designed to streamline the encoding process.
• To enhance the reliability and ease of analyzing verbal report data in research.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing digitally recorded audio for verbal report data throughout collection and encoding.
• Developing and implementing CAPAS, a computer-aided encoding tool.
• Employing random selection and playback of protocol segments within CAPAS.
• Storing encoded data in SPSS-compatible files for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• The described approach maintains data integrity in digital audio format.
• CAPAS facilitates random access and efficient coding of verbal report segments.
• Computer-entered codes are directly stored in a structured data file (SPSS format).
• This method enhances the overall reliability of verbal report data analysis.

Conclusions:

• Digital audio recording and computer-aided tools like CAPAS significantly improve verbal report data management.
• The CAPAS system offers a reliable and user-friendly solution for researchers.
• This approach supports more efficient and accurate analysis in psychological research.