cometrics: A New Software Tool for Behavior-analytic Clinicians and Machine Learning Researchers
Grab Cometrics from the Microsoft Store to collect frequency, duration, heart-rate, and video data that auto-exports to Excel with IOA already done.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Arce et al. (2023) built a free Windows program called Cometrics. It records frequency, duration, heart rate, and video all at once.
The data lands straight in Excel with IOA already calculated. You can download it from the Microsoft Store today.
What they found
The paper is a product announcement, not an experiment. It shows screenshots and says the tool is ready to use.
How this fits with other research
PLISKOFF (1963) filmed rats with an oscilloscope-camera rig to see fine IRT patterns. Cometrics does the same job with a laptop and webcam, no darkroom needed.
Iversen (2002) wired a $30 webcam to snap photos when a pigeon pecked. Cometrics bundles that trick plus timers, heart-rate, and auto-IOA in one free app.
Pennypacker (1986) warned that behavior analysis must sell its tools or stay stuck in labs. Cometrics answers the call by giving the field a zero-cost, consumer-ready download.
Why it matters
You can replace a pile of stopwatches, cables, and post-session math with one program. Download it, hit record, and leave with clean Excel sheets and synced video. Perfect for BCBAs who want rich data without buying new hardware.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Cometrics is a Microsoft Windows compatible clinical tool for the collection and recording of frequency- and duration-based target behaviors, physiological signals, and video data. This software package is designed to record in-vivo observational and physiological data. In addition, we have included features that allow observers to capture video from real-time camera feeds and import saved video for retroactive data collection. By using Microsoft Excel-based spreadsheets, also called keystroke files, assessment and treatment sessions are exported into a single document using the click of a button. Integrated interobserver agreement metrics allow comparisons across primary and reliability observers, with the output exported into a spreadsheet for easy reference. All file system interactions are handled by the user interface, so files and folders are created and managed without manual intervention. This software is available free-of-charge through the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 and 11 and the source code is publicly available on GitHub. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40617-023-00817-w.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2023 · doi:10.1007/s40617-023-00817-w