annotate docs/WAC2016/WAC2016.tex @ 1180:3303a667548a

Bug #1560: Test pages do repeat. Note that the result XML will have their IDs repeated.
author Nicholas Jillings <n.g.r.jillings@se14.qmul.ac.uk>
date Thu, 11 Feb 2016 17:28:27 +0000
parents c44fbf72f7f2
children 888292c88c33
rev   line source
n@1116 1 \documentclass{sig-alternate}
n@1116 2 \usepackage{hyperref} % make links (like references, links to Sections, ...) clickable
n@1116 3 \usepackage{enumitem} % tighten itemize etc by appending '[noitemsep,nolistsep]'
n@1116 4 \usepackage{cleveref}
n@1116 5
n@1116 6 \graphicspath{{img/}} % put the images in this folder
n@1116 7
n@1116 8 \begin{document}
n@1116 9
n@1116 10 % Copyright
n@1116 11 \setcopyright{waclicense}
n@1116 12
n@1116 13 \newcommand*\rot{\rotatebox{90}}
n@1116 14
n@1116 15
n@1116 16 %% DOI
n@1116 17 %\doi{10.475/123_4}
n@1116 18 %
n@1116 19 %% ISBN
n@1116 20 %\isbn{123-4567-24-567/08/06}
n@1116 21 %
n@1116 22 %%Conference
n@1116 23 %\conferenceinfo{PLDI '13}{June 16--19, 2013, Seattle, WA, USA}
n@1116 24 %
n@1116 25 %\acmPrice{\$15.00}
n@1116 26
n@1116 27 %
n@1116 28 % --- Author Metadata here ---
n@1116 29 \conferenceinfo{Web Audio Conference WAC-2016,}{April 4--6, 2016, Atlanta, USA}
n@1116 30 \CopyrightYear{2016} % Allows default copyright year (20XX) to be over-ridden - IF NEED BE.
n@1116 31 %\crdata{0-12345-67-8/90/01} % Allows default copyright data (0-89791-88-6/97/05) to be over-ridden - IF NEED BE.
n@1116 32 % --- End of Author Metadata ---
n@1116 33
n@1116 34 \title{Web Audio Evaluation Tool: A framework for subjective assessment of audio}
n@1116 35 %\subtitle{[Extended Abstract]
n@1116 36 %\titlenote{A full version of this paper is available as
n@1116 37 %\textit{Author's Guide to Preparing ACM SIG Proceedings Using
n@1116 38 %\LaTeX$2_\epsilon$\ and BibTeX} at
n@1116 39 %\texttt{www.acm.org/eaddress.htm}}}
n@1116 40 %
n@1116 41 % You need the command \numberofauthors to handle the 'placement
n@1116 42 % and alignment' of the authors beneath the title.
n@1116 43 %
n@1116 44 % For aesthetic reasons, we recommend 'three authors at a time'
n@1116 45 % i.e. three 'name/affiliation blocks' be placed beneath the title.
n@1116 46 %
n@1116 47 % NOTE: You are NOT restricted in how many 'rows' of
n@1116 48 % "name/affiliations" may appear. We just ask that you restrict
n@1116 49 % the number of 'columns' to three.
n@1116 50 %
n@1116 51 % Because of the available 'opening page real-estate'
n@1116 52 % we ask you to refrain from putting more than six authors
n@1116 53 % (two rows with three columns) beneath the article title.
n@1116 54 % More than six makes the first-page appear very cluttered indeed.
n@1116 55 %
n@1116 56 % Use the \alignauthor commands to handle the names
n@1116 57 % and affiliations for an 'aesthetic maximum' of six authors.
n@1116 58 % Add names, affiliations, addresses for
n@1116 59 % the seventh etc. author(s) as the argument for the
n@1116 60 % \additionalauthors command.
n@1116 61 % These 'additional authors' will be output/set for you
n@1116 62 % without further effort on your part as the last section in
n@1116 63 % the body of your article BEFORE References or any Appendices.
n@1116 64
n@1116 65 % FIVE authors instead of four, to leave space between first two authors.
n@1116 66 \numberofauthors{5} % in this sample file, there are a *total*
n@1116 67 % of EIGHT authors. SIX appear on the 'first-page' (for formatting
n@1116 68 % reasons) and the remaining two appear in the \additionalauthors section.
n@1116 69 %
n@1116 70 \author{
n@1116 71 % You can go ahead and credit any number of authors here,
n@1116 72 % e.g. one 'row of three' or two rows (consisting of one row of three
n@1116 73 % and a second row of one, two or three).
n@1116 74 %
n@1116 75 % The command \alignauthor (no curly braces needed) should
n@1116 76 % precede each author name, affiliation/snail-mail address and
n@1116 77 % e-mail address. Additionally, tag each line of
n@1116 78 % affiliation/address with \affaddr, and tag the
n@1116 79 % e-mail address with \email.
n@1116 80 %
n@1116 81 % 1st. author
n@1116 82 \alignauthor Nicholas Jillings\\
n@1116 83 \email{n.g.r.jillings@se14.qmul.ac.uk}
n@1116 84 % dummy author for nicer spacing
n@1116 85 \alignauthor
n@1116 86 % 2nd. author
n@1116 87 \alignauthor Brecht De Man\\
n@1116 88 \email{b.deman@qmul.ac.uk}
n@1116 89 \and % use '\and' if you need 'another row' of author names
n@1116 90 % 3rd. author
n@1116 91 \alignauthor David Moffat\\
n@1116 92 \email{d.j.moffat@qmul.ac.uk}
n@1116 93 % 4th. author
n@1116 94 \alignauthor Joshua D. Reiss\\
n@1116 95 \email{joshua.reiss@qmul.ac.uk}
n@1116 96 \and % new line for address
n@1116 97 \affaddr{Centre for Digital Music, School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science}\\
n@1116 98 \affaddr{Queen Mary University of London}\\
n@1116 99 \affaddr{Mile End Road,}
n@1116 100 \affaddr{London E1 4NS}\\
n@1116 101 \affaddr{United Kingdom}\\
n@1116 102 }
n@1116 103 %Centre for Digital Music, School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London
n@1116 104 %% 5th. author
n@1116 105 %\alignauthor Sean Fogarty\\
n@1116 106 % \affaddr{NASA Ames Research Center}\\
n@1116 107 % \affaddr{Moffett Field}\\
n@1116 108 % \email{fogartys@amesres.org}
n@1116 109 %% 6th. author
n@1116 110 %\alignauthor Charles Palmer\\
n@1116 111 % \affaddr{Palmer Research Laboratories}\\
n@1116 112 % \affaddr{8600 Datapoint Drive}\\
n@1116 113 % \email{cpalmer@prl.com}
n@1116 114 %}
n@1116 115 % There's nothing stopping you putting the seventh, eighth, etc.
n@1116 116 % author on the opening page (as the 'third row') but we ask,
n@1116 117 % for aesthetic reasons that you place these 'additional authors'
n@1116 118 % in the \additional authors block, viz.
n@1116 119 %\additionalauthors{Additional authors: John Smith (The Th{\o}rv{\"a}ld Group,
n@1116 120 %email: {\texttt{jsmith@affiliation.org}}) and Julius P.~Kumquat
n@1116 121 %(The Kumquat Consortium, email: {\texttt{jpkumquat@consortium.net}}).}
n@1116 122 \date{1 October 2015}
n@1116 123 % Just remember to make sure that the TOTAL number of authors
n@1116 124 % is the number that will appear on the first page PLUS the
n@1116 125 % number that will appear in the \additionalauthors section.
n@1116 126
n@1116 127 \maketitle
n@1116 128 \begin{abstract}
n@1116 129
n@1116 130 Perceptual listening tests are commonplace in audio research and a vital form of evaluation. Many tools exist to run such tests, however many operate one test type and are therefore limited whilst most require proprietary software. Using Web Audio the Web Audio Evaluation Tool (WAET) addresses these concerns by having one toolbox which can be configured to run many different tests, perform it through a web browser and without needing proprietary software or computer programming knowledge. In this paper the role of the Web Audio API in giving WAET key functionalities are shown. The paper also highlights less common features, available to web based tools, such as easy remote testing environment and in-browser analytics.
n@1116 131
n@1116 132 \end{abstract}
n@1116 133
n@1116 134
n@1116 135 \section{Introduction}
n@1116 136
n@1116 137 % Listening tests/perceptual audio evaluation: what are they, why are they important
n@1116 138 % As opposed to limited scope of WAC15 paper: also musical features, realism of sound effects / sound synthesis, performance of source separation and other algorithms...
n@1116 139 Perceptual evaluation of audio, in the form of listening tests, is a powerful way to assess anything from audio codec quality to realism of sound synthesis to the performance of source separation, automated music production and other auditory evaluations.
n@1116 140 In less technical areas, the framework of a listening test can be used to measure emotional response to music or test cognitive abilities.
n@1116 141 % maybe some references? If there's space.
n@1116 142
n@1116 143 % check out http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10055-015-0270-8 - only paper that cited WAC15 paper
n@1116 144
n@1116 145 % Why difficult? Challenges? What constitutes a good interface?
n@1116 146 % Technical, interfaces, user friendliness, reliability
n@1116 147 Several applications for performing perceptual listening tests currently exist. A review of existing listening test frameworks was undertaken and presented in~\Cref{tab:toolboxes}. Note that many rely on proprietary, 3rd party software such as MATLAB and MAX, making them less attractive for many. With the exception of the existing JavaScript-based toolboxes, remote deployment (web-based test hosting and result collection) is not possible.
n@1116 148
n@1116 149 HULTI-GEN~\cite{hultigen} is a single example of a toolbox that presents the user with a large number of different test interfaces and allows for customisation of each test interface, without requiring knowledge of any programming language. The Web Audio Evaluation Toolbox (WAET), presented here, stands out as it does not require proprietary software or a specific platform. It also provides a wide range of interface and test types in one user friendly environment. Furthermore any test based on the default test types can be configured in the browser as well. Note that the design of an effective listening test further poses many challenges unrelated to interface design, which are beyond the scope of this paper \cite{bech}.
n@1116 150
n@1116 151 % Why in the browser?
n@1116 152 The Web Audio API provides important features including sample level manipulation of audio streams \cite{schoeffler2015mushra} and synchronous and flexible playback. Being in the browser allows leveraging the flexible object oriented JavaScript language and native support for web documents, such as the extensible markup language (XML) which is used for configuration and test result files. Using the web also reduces deployment requirements to a basic web server with extra functionality, such as test collection and automatic processing, using PHP. As recruiting participants can be very time-consuming, and as for some tests a large number of participants is needed, browser-based tests can enable participants in multiple locations to perform the test \cite{schoeffler2015mushra}.
n@1116 153
n@1116 154 Both BeaqleJS \cite{beaqlejs} and mushraJS\footnote{https://github.com/akaroice/mushraJS} also operate in the browser. However, BeaqleJS does not make use of the Web Audio API and therefore lacks arbitrary manipulation of audio stream samples, and neither offer an adequately wide choice of test designs for them to be useful to many researchers. %requires programming knowledge?...
n@1116 155
n@1116 156 % only browser-based?
n@1116 157 \begin{table*}[ht]
n@1116 158 \caption{Table with existing listening test platforms and their features}
n@1116 159 \small
n@1116 160 \begin{center}
n@1116 161 \begin{tabular}{|*{9}{l|}}
n@1116 162 \hline
n@1116 163 \textbf{Toolbox} & \rot{\textbf{APE}} & \rot{\textbf{BeaqleJS}} &\rot{\textbf{HULTI-GEN}} & \rot{\textbf{mushraJS}} & \rot{\textbf{MUSHRAM}} & \rot{\textbf{Scale}} & \rot{\textbf{WhisPER}} & \rot{\textbf{WAET}} \\ \hline
n@1116 164 \textbf{Reference} & \cite{ape} & \cite{beaqlejs} & \cite{hultigen} & & \cite{mushram} & \cite{scale} & \cite{whisper} & \cite{waet} \\ \hline
n@1116 165 \textbf{Language} & MATLAB & JS & MAX & JS & MATLAB & MATLAB & MATLAB & JS \\ \hline
n@1116 166 \textbf{Remote} & & (\checkmark) & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline \hline
n@1116 167 MUSHRA (ITU-R BS. 1534) & & \checkmark & \checkmark & \checkmark & \checkmark & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 168 APE & \checkmark & & & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 169 Rank Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 170 Likert Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 171 ABC/HR (ITU-R BS. 1116) & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 172 -50 to 50 Bipolar with ref. & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 173 Absolute Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 174 Degradation Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 175 Comparison Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 176 9 Point Hedonic Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 177 ITU-R 5 Continuous Impairment Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 178 Pairwise / AB Test & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 179 Multi-attribute ratings & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 180 ABX Test & & \checkmark & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 181 Adaptive psychophysical methods & & & & & & & \checkmark & \\ \hline
n@1116 182 Repertory Grid Technique & & & & & & & \checkmark & \\ \hline
n@1116 183 Semantic Differential & & & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark &\checkmark \\ \hline
n@1116 184 n-Alternative Forced Choice & & & & & & \checkmark & & \\ \hline
n@1116 185 \end{tabular}
n@1116 186 \end{center}
n@1116 187 \label{tab:toolboxes}
n@1116 188 \end{table*}
n@1116 189 %
n@1116 190 %Selling points: remote tests, visualisaton, create your own test in the browser, many interfaces, few/no dependencies, flexibility
n@1116 191
n@1116 192 %[Talking about what we do in the various sections of this paper. Referring to \cite{waet}. ]
n@1116 193 To meet the need for a cross-platform, versatile and easy-to-use listening test tool, we previously developed the Web Audio Evaluation Tool \cite{waet} which at the time of its inception was capable of running a listening test in the browser from an XML configuration file, and storing an XML file as well, with one particular interface. This has now expanded into a tool with which a wide range of listening test types can easily be constructed and set up remotely, without any need for manually altering code or configuration files, and allows visualisation of the collected results in the browser. In this paper, we discuss these different aspects and explore which future improvements would be possible.
n@1116 194
n@1116 195 \begin{figure}[tb]
n@1116 196 \centering
n@1116 197 \includegraphics[width=.5\textwidth]{interface.png}
n@1116 198 \caption{A simple example of a multi-stimulus, single attribute, single rating scale test with a reference and comment fields.}
n@1116 199 \label{fig:interface}
n@1116 200 \end{figure}
n@1116 201
n@1116 202 \begin{comment}
n@1116 203 % MEETING 8 OCTOBER
n@1116 204 \subsection{Meeting 8 October}
n@1116 205 \begin{itemize}
n@1116 206 \item Do we manipulate audio?\\
n@1116 207 \begin{itemize}
n@1116 208 \item Add loudness equalisation? (test\_create.html) Tag with gains.
n@1116 209 \item Add volume slider?
n@1116 210 \item Cross-fade (in interface node): default 0, number of seconds
n@1116 211 \item Also: we use the playback buffer to present metrics of which portion is listened to
n@1116 212 \end{itemize}
n@1116 213 \item Logging system information: whichever are possible (justify others)
n@1116 214 \item Input streams as audioelements
n@1116 215 \item Capture microphone to estimate loudness (especially Macbook)
n@1116 216 \item Test page (in-built oscillators): left-right calibration, ramp up test tone until you hear it; optional compensating EQ (future work implementing own filters) --> Highlight issues!
n@1116 217 \item Record IP address (PHP function, grab and append to XML file)
n@1116 218 \item Expand anchor/reference options
n@1116 219 \item AB / ABX
n@1116 220 \end{itemize}
n@1116 221
n@1116 222 \subsubsection{Issues}
n@1116 223 \begin{itemize}
n@1116 224 \item Filters not consistent (Nick to test across browsers)
n@1116 225 \item Playback audiobuffers need to be destroyed and rebuilt each time
n@1116 226 \item Can't get channel data, hardware input/output...
n@1116 227 \end{itemize}
n@1116 228 \end{comment}
n@1116 229
n@1116 230 \section{Architecture} % title? 'back end'? % NICK
n@1116 231 \label{sec:architecture}
n@1116 232 %A slightly technical overview of the system. Talk about XML, JavaScript, Web Audio API, HTML5.
n@1116 233
n@1116 234 Although WAET uses a sparse subset of the Web Audio API functionality, its performance comes directly from it. Listening tests can convey large amounts of information other than obtaining the perceptual relationship between the audio fragments. With WAET it is possible to track which parts of the audio fragments were listened to and when, at what point in the audio stream the participant switched to a different fragment, and how a fragment's rating was adjusted over time within a session, to name a few. Not only does this allow evaluation of a wealth of perceptual aspects, but it also helps detect poor participants whose results are potentially not representative.
n@1116 235
n@1116 236 One of the key initial design parameters for WAET was to make the tool as open as possible to non-programmers and to this end all of the user modifiable options are included in a single XML document. This document is the specification document and can be designed either by manually writing the XML (or modifying an existing document or template) or using the included test creator. These standalone HTML pages do not require any server or internet connection and help a build the specification document. The first (test\_create.html) is for simple tests and operates step-by-step to guide the user through a drag and drop, clutter free interface. The advanced version is for more complex tests. Both models support automatic verification to ensure the XML file is valid and will highlight areas which are either incorrect and would cause an error, or options which should be removed as they are blank.
n@1116 237
n@1116 238 The basic test creator, Figure \ref{fig:test_create}, utilises the Web Audio API to perform quick playback checks and also allows for loudness normalisation techniques inspired from \cite{ape}. These are calculated offline by accessing the raw audio samples exposed from the buffer before being applied to the audio element as a gain attribute. Therefore the tool performs loudness normalisation without editing any audio files. Equally the gain attribute can be modified in either editor using an HTML5 slider or number box respectively.
n@1116 239 \begin{comment}
n@1116 240 \begin{figure}[h!]
n@1116 241 \centering
n@1116 242 \includegraphics[width=.45\textwidth]{test_create_2.png}
n@1116 243 \caption{Screen-shot of test creator tool using drag and drop to create specification document}
n@1116 244 \label{fig:test_create}
n@1116 245 \end{figure}
n@1116 246 \end{comment}
n@1116 247
n@1116 248 %Describe and/or visualise audioholder-audioelement-... structure.
n@1116 249 The specification document contains the URL of the audio fragments for each test page. These fragments are downloaded asynchronously in the test and decoded offline by the Web Audio offline decoder. The resulting buffers are assigned to a custom Audio Objects node which tracks the fragment buffer, the playback \textit{bufferSourceNode}, other specification attributes including its unique test ID, the interface object(s) associated with the fragment and any metric or data collection objects. The Audio Object is controlled by an over-arching custom Audio Context node (not to be confused with the Web Audio Context). This parent JS Node allows for session wide control of the Audio Objects including starting and stopping playback of specific nodes.
n@1116 250
n@1116 251 The only issue with this model is the \textit{bufferNode} in the Web Audio API, implemented in the standard as a `use once' object. Once this has been played, the node must be discarded as it cannot be instructed to play the same \textit{bufferSourceNode} again. Therefore on each play request the buffer object must be created and then linked with the stored \textit{bufferSourceNode}. This is an odd behaviour for such a simple object which has no alternative except to use the HTML5 audio element. However, they do not have the ability to synchronously start on a given time and therefore not suited.
n@1116 252
n@1116 253 In the test, each buffer node is connected to a gain node which will operate at the level determined by the specification document. Therefore it is possible to perform a `Method of Adjustment' test where an interface could directly manipulate these gain nodes. These gain nodes are used for cross-fading between samples when operating in synchronous playback. Cross-fading can either be fade-out fade-in or a true cross-fade. There is also an optional `Master Volume' slider which can be shown on the test GUI. This slider modifies a gain node before the destination node. This slider can also be monitored and therefore its data tracked providing extra validation. This is not indicative of the final volume exiting the speakers and therefore its use should only be considered in a lab environment to ensure proper usage.
n@1116 254
n@1116 255 %Which type of files? WAV, anything else? Perhaps not exhaustive list, but say something along the lines of 'whatever browser supports'. Compatability?
n@1116 256 The media files supported depend on the browser level support for the initial decoding of information and is the same as the browser support for the HTML5 audio element. The most widely supported media file is the wave (.WAV) format which is accepted by every browser supporting the Web Audio API. The toolbox will work in any browser which supports the Web Audio API.
n@1116 257
n@1116 258 All the collected session data is returned in an XML document structured similarly to the configuration document, where test pages contain the audio elements with their trace collection, results, comments and any other interface-specific data points.
n@1116 259
n@1116 260 \section{Remote tests} % with previous?
n@1116 261 \label{sec:remote}
n@1116 262
n@1116 263 If the experimenter is willing to trade some degree of control for a higher number of participants, the test can be hosted on a public web server so that participants can take part remotely. This way, a link can be shared widely in the hope of attracting a large amount of subjects, while listening conditions and subject reliability may be less ideal. However, a sound system calibration page and a wide range of metrics logged during the test mitigate these problems. In some experiments, it may be preferred that the subject has a `real life', familiar listening set-up, for instance when perceived quality differences on everyday sound systems are investigated.
n@1116 264 Furthermore, a fully browser-based test, where the collection of the results is automatic, is more efficient and technically reliable even when the test still takes place under lab conditions.
n@1116 265
n@1116 266 The following features allow easy and effective remote testing:
n@1116 267 \begin{description}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1116 268 \item[PHP script to collect result XML files] and store on central server.
n@1116 269 \item[Randomly pick a specified number of pages] to ensure an equal and randomised spread of the different pages (`audioHolders') across participants.
n@1116 270 \item[Calibration of the sound system (and participant)] by a perceptual pre-test to gather information about the frequency response and speaker configuration - this can be supplemented with a survey.
n@1116 271 % In theory calibration could be applied anywhere??
n@1116 272 % \item Functionality to participate multiple times
n@1116 273 % \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1116 274 % \item Possible to log in with unique ID (no password)
n@1116 275 % \item Pick `new user' (generates new, unique ID) or `already participated' (need already available ID)
n@1116 276 % \item Store XML on server with IDs plus which audioholders have already been listened to
n@1116 277 % \item Don't show `post-test' survey after first time
n@1116 278 % \item Pick `new' audioholders if available
n@1116 279 % \item Copy survey information first time to new XMLs
n@1116 280 % \end{itemize}
n@1116 281 \item[Intermediate saves] for tests which were interrupted or unfinished.
n@1116 282 \item[Collect IP address information] for geographic location, through PHP function which grabs address and appends to XML file.
n@1116 283 \item[Collect Browser and Display information] to the extent it is available and reliable.
n@1116 284 \end{description}
n@1116 285
n@1116 286
n@1116 287 \section{Interfaces} % title? 'Front end'? % Dave
n@1116 288 \label{sec:interfaces}
n@1116 289
n@1116 290 The purpose of this listening test framework is to allow any user the maximum flexibility to design a listening test for their exact application with minimum effort. To this end, a large range of standard listening test interfaces have been implemented.
n@1116 291
n@1116 292 To provide users with a flexible system, a large range of `standard' listening test interfaces have been implemented, including: % pretty much the same wording as two sentences earlier
n@1116 293 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1116 294 \item MUSHRA (ITU-R BS. 1534)~\cite{recommendation20031534}
n@1116 295 \begin{comment}
n@1116 296 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1116 297 \item Multiple stimuli are presented and rated on a continuous scale, which includes a reference, hidden reference and hidden anchors.
n@1116 298 \end{itemize}
n@1116 299 \end{comment}
n@1116 300 \item Rank Scale~\cite{pascoe1983evaluation}: stimuli ranked on single horizontal scale, where they are ordered in preference order.
n@1116 301 \item Likert scale~\cite{likert1932technique}: each stimuli has a five point scale with values: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree and Strongly Disagree.
n@1116 302 \item ABC/HR (ITU-R BS. 1116)~\cite{recommendation19971116} (Mean Opinion Score: MOS): each stimulus has a continuous scale (5-1), labeled as Imperceptible, Perceptible but not annoying, slightly annoying, annoying, very annoying.
n@1116 303 \item -50 to 50 Bipolar with Ref: each stimulus has a continuous scale -50 to 50 with default values as 0 in middle and a reference.
n@1116 304 \item Absolute Category Rating (ACR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}: Likert but labels are Bad, Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent
n@1116 305 \item Degredation Category Rating (DCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}: ABC \& Likert but labels are (5) Inaudible, (4) Audible but not annoying, (3) slightly annoying, (2) annoying, (1) very annoying.
n@1116 306 \item Comparison Category Rating (CCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}: ACR \& DCR but 7 point scale: Much Better, Better, Slightly Better, About the same, slightly worse, worse, much worse. There is also a provided reference.
n@1116 307 \item 9 Point Hedonic Category Rating Scale~\cite{peryam1952advanced}: each stimuli has a seven point scale with values: Like Extremely, Like Very Much, Like Moderate, Like Slightly, Neither Like nor Dislike, dislike Extremely, dislike Very Much, dislike Moderate, dislike Slightly. There is also a provided reference.
n@1116 308 \item ITU-R 5 Point Continuous Impairment Scale~\cite{rec1997bs}: Same as ABC/HR but with a reference.
n@1116 309 \item Pairwise Comparison (Better/Worse)~\cite{david1963method}: every stimulus is rated as being either better or worse than the reference.
n@1116 310 \item APE style \cite{ape}: Multiple stimuli as points on a 2D plane for inter-sample rating (eg. Valence Arousal)
n@1116 311 \item AB Test~\cite{lipshitz1981great}: Two stimuli presented at a time, participant selects a preferred stimulus.
n@1116 312 \item ABX Test~\cite{clark1982high}: Two stimuli are presented along with a reference and the participant has to select a preferred stimulus, often the closest to the reference.
n@1116 313 \end{itemize}
n@1116 314
n@1116 315 It is possible to include any number of references, anchors, hidden references and hidden anchors into all of these listening test formats.
n@1116 316
n@1116 317 Because of the design to separate the core code and interface modules, it is possible for a 3rd party interface to be built with minimal effort. The repository includes documentation on which functions must be called and the specific functions they expect your interface to perform. The core includes an `Interface' object which includes object prototypes for the on-page comment boxes (including those with radio or checkbox responses), start and stop buttons and the playhead / transport bars.
n@1116 318
n@1116 319 %%%% \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1116 320 %%%% \item (APE style) \cite{ape}
n@1116 321 %%%% \item Multi attribute ratings
n@1116 322 %%%% \item MUSHRA (ITU-R BS. 1534)~\cite{recommendation20031534}
n@1116 323 %%%% \item Interval Scale~\cite{zacharov1999round}
n@1116 324 %%%% \item Rank Scale~\cite{pascoe1983evaluation}
n@1116 325 %%%%
n@1116 326 %%%% \item 2D Plane rating - e.g. Valence vs. Arousal~\cite{carroll1969individual}
n@1116 327 %%%% \item Likert scale~\cite{likert1932technique}
n@1116 328 %%%%
n@1116 329 %%%% \item {\bf All the following are the interfaces available in HULTI-GEN~\cite{hultigen} }
n@1116 330 %%%% \item ABC/HR (ITU-R BS. 1116)~\cite{recommendation19971116}
n@1116 331 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1116 332 %%%% \item Continuous Scale (5-1) Imperceptible, Perceptible but not annoying, slightly annoying, annoying, very annoying. (default Inaudible?)
n@1116 333 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1116 334 %%%% \item -50 to 50 Bipolar with Ref
n@1116 335 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1116 336 %%%% \item Scale -50 to 50 on Mushra with default values as 0 in middle and a comparison ``Reference'' to compare to 0 value
n@1116 337 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1116 338 %%%% \item Absolute Category Rating (ACR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}
n@1116 339 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1116 340 %%%% \item 5 point Scale - Bad, Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent (Default fair?)
n@1116 341 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1116 342 %%%% \item Degredation Category Rating (DCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}
n@1116 343 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1116 344 %%%% \item 5 point Scale - Inaudible, Audible but not annoying, slightly annoying, annoying, very annoying. (default Inaudible?) - {\it Basically just quantised ABC/HR?}
n@1116 345 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1116 346 %%%% \item Comparison Category Rating (CCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}
n@1116 347 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1116 348 %%%% \item 7 point scale: Much Better, Better, Slightly Better, About the same, slightly worse, worse, much worse - Default about the same with reference to compare to
n@1116 349 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1116 350 %%%% \item 9 Point Hedonic Category Rating Scale~\cite{peryam1952advanced}
n@1116 351 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1116 352 %%%% \item 9 point scale: Like Extremely, Like Very Much, Like Moderate, Like Slightly, Neither Like nor Dislike, dislike Extremely, dislike Very Much, dislike Moderate, dislike Slightly - Default Neither Like nor Dislike with reference to compare to
n@1116 353 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1116 354 %%%% \item ITU-R 5 Point Continuous Impairment Scale~\cite{rec1997bs}
n@1116 355 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1116 356 %%%% \item 5 point Scale (5-1) Imperceptible, Perceptible but not annoying, slightly annoying, annoying, very annoying. (default Inaudible?)- {\it Basically just quantised ABC/HR, or Different named DCR}
n@1116 357 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1116 358 %%%% \item Pairwise Comparison (Better/Worse)~\cite{david1963method}
n@1116 359 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1116 360 %%%% \item 2 point Scale - Better or Worse - (not sure how to default this - they default everything to better, which is an interesting choice)
n@1116 361 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1116 362 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1116 363
n@1116 364 % Build your own test
n@1116 365
n@1116 366 \begin{comment}
n@1116 367 { \bf A screenshot would be nice.
n@1116 368
n@1116 369 Established tests (see below) included as `presets' in the build-your-own-test page. }
n@1116 370 \end{comment}
n@1116 371
n@1116 372 \section{Analysis and diagnostics}
n@1116 373 \label{sec:analysis}
n@1116 374 % don't mention Python scripts
n@1116 375 There are several benefits to providing basic analysis tools in the browser: they allow diagnosing problems, with the interface or with the test subject; they may be sufficient for many researchers' purposes; and test subjects may enjoy seeing an overview of their own results and/or results thus far at the end of their tests.
n@1116 376 \begin{figure}[bhf]
n@1116 377 \centering
n@1116 378 \includegraphics[width=.5\textwidth]{boxplot.png}
n@1116 379 %\caption{This timeline of a single subject's listening test shows playback of fragments (red segments) and marker movements on the rating axis in function of time. }
n@1116 380 \caption{Box and whisker plot showing the aggregated numerical ratings of six stimuli by a group of subjects.}
n@1116 381 \label{fig:timeline}
n@1116 382 \end{figure}
n@1116 383 For this reason, we include a proof-of-concept web page with:
n@1116 384 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1116 385 \item All audioholder IDs, file names, subject IDs, audio element IDs, ... in the collected XMLs so far (\texttt{saves/*.xml})
n@1116 386 \item Selection of subjects and/or test samples to zoom in on a subset of the data %Check/uncheck each of the above for analysis (e.g. zoom in on a certain song, or exclude a subset of subjects)
n@1116 387 \item Embedded audio to hear corresponding test samples % (follow path in XML setup file, which is also embedded in the XML result file)
n@1116 388 \item Scatter plot, confidence plot and box plot of rating values (see Figure )
n@1116 389 \item Timeline for a specific subject %(see Figure \ref{fig:timeline})%, perhaps re-playing the experiment in X times realtime. (If actual realtime, you could replay the audio...)
n@1116 390 \item Distribution plots of any radio button and number questions in pre- and post-test survey %(drop-down menu with `pretest', `posttest', ...; then drop-down menu with question `IDs' like `gender', `age', ...; make pie chart/histogram of these values over selected range of XMLs)
n@1116 391 \item All `comments' on a specific audioelement
n@1116 392 \item A `download' function for a CSV of ratings, survey responses and comments% various things (values, survey responses, comments) people might want to use for analysis, e.g. when XML scares them
n@1116 393 %\item Validation of setup XMLs (easily spot `errors', like duplicate IDs or URLs, missing/dangling tags, ...)
n@1116 394 \end{itemize}
n@1116 395
n@1116 396
n@1116 397 %A subset of the above would already be nice for this paper.
n@1116 398 \section{Concluding remarks and future work}
n@1116 399 \label{sec:conclusion}
n@1116 400
n@1116 401 We have developed a browser-based tool for the design and deployment of listening tests, essentially requiring no programming experience and third party software. Following the predictions or guidelines in \cite{schoeffler2015mushra}, it supports remote testing, cross-fading between audio streams, collecting information about the system, among others.
n@1116 402
n@1116 403 Whereas many other types of interfaces do exist, we felt that supporting e.g. a range of `method of adjustment' tests would be beyond the scope of a tool that aims to be versatile enough while not claiming to support any custom experiment one might want to set up. Rather, it supports any non-adaptive listening test up to multi-stimulus, multi-attribute evaluation including references, anchors, text boxes, radio buttons and/or checkboxes, with arbitrary placement of the various UI elements.
n@1116 404
n@1116 405 The code and documentation can be pulled or downloaded from our online repository available at \url{code.soundsoftware.ac.uk/projects/webaudioevaluationtool}.
n@1116 406 % remote
n@1116 407 % language support (not explicitly stated)
n@1116 408 % crossfades
n@1116 409 % choosing speakers/sound device from within browser? --- NOT POSSIBLE, can only determine channel output counts and its up to the hardware to determine
n@1116 410 % collect information about software and sound system
n@1116 411 % buttons, scales, ... UI elements
n@1116 412 % must be able to load uncompressed PCM
n@1116 413
n@1116 414 %
n@1116 415 % The following two commands are all you need in the
n@1116 416 % initial runs of your .tex file to
n@1116 417 % produce the bibliography for the citations in your paper.
n@1116 418 \bibliographystyle{ieeetr}
n@1116 419 \small
n@1116 420 \bibliography{WAC2016} % sigproc.bib is the name of the Bibliography in this case
n@1116 421 % You must have a proper ".bib" file
n@1116 422 % and remember to run:
n@1116 423 % latex bibtex latex latex
n@1116 424 % to resolve all references
n@1116 425 %
n@1116 426 % ACM needs 'a single self-contained file'!
n@1116 427 %
n@1116 428 \end{document}