There are two main goals of this project: (1) The first goal is to develop software so that Palm PDAs can be used as data-acquisition devices for behavioral studies. Observational research will be supported on animals, children, adults, as well as one's own behaviors. We intend the programs to be interactive in that the experimenter will indicate categories of behavior, and the Palm will then ask for particulars. (2) The second goal is to enable self-experimental work, i.e., research by a student on his or her own cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. At the moment we are programming Hick's Law type procedures (reaction time as a function of bits of information), memory-assessment procedures, and variability-assessment procedures.
The programs are being written specifically for PalmOS and WinCE devices. The programs are written on both an eMac running MacOS 10.2.6 and a PC Laptop running Windows XP. The target devices are Palm Zire 71's, Dell Axim's and a Palm Tungsten T. Programs are written in SuperWaba, a java-based language optimized for portable electronic devices. Connection between the Macintosh development computer and the portable device is accomplished via native Palm software in the case of the Tungsten T's and the Zire 71's and via PocketMac for connection with the Dell Axim's. All target devices have native software for connecting to the Windows development computer.
I plan to purchase 4 to 8 additional Palm Pilots by the end of this summer ('03) and use them in Introductory Psychology next year, as well as a new course the following year on Behaviorism, Self-Control, and Self-Experimentation.