annotate docs/WAC2016/WAC2016.tex @ 1118:3edcbbea168b

Added schema for Test Specification Document for validation (wip)
author Nicholas Jillings <n.g.r.jillings@se14.qmul.ac.uk>
date Wed, 23 Dec 2015 12:41:08 +0000
parents
children 888292c88c33
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n@1118 1 \documentclass{sig-alternate}
n@1118 2 \usepackage{hyperref} % make links (like references, links to Sections, ...) clickable
n@1118 3 \usepackage{enumitem} % tighten itemize etc by appending '[noitemsep,nolistsep]'
n@1118 4 \usepackage{cleveref}
n@1118 5
n@1118 6 \graphicspath{{img/}} % put the images in this folder
n@1118 7
n@1118 8 \begin{document}
n@1118 9
n@1118 10 % Copyright
n@1118 11 \setcopyright{waclicense}
n@1118 12
n@1118 13 \newcommand*\rot{\rotatebox{90}}
n@1118 14
n@1118 15
n@1118 16 %% DOI
n@1118 17 %\doi{10.475/123_4}
n@1118 18 %
n@1118 19 %% ISBN
n@1118 20 %\isbn{123-4567-24-567/08/06}
n@1118 21 %
n@1118 22 %%Conference
n@1118 23 %\conferenceinfo{PLDI '13}{June 16--19, 2013, Seattle, WA, USA}
n@1118 24 %
n@1118 25 %\acmPrice{\$15.00}
n@1118 26
n@1118 27 %
n@1118 28 % --- Author Metadata here ---
n@1118 29 \conferenceinfo{Web Audio Conference WAC-2016,}{April 4--6, 2016, Atlanta, USA}
n@1118 30 \CopyrightYear{2016} % Allows default copyright year (20XX) to be over-ridden - IF NEED BE.
n@1118 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@1118 32 % --- End of Author Metadata ---
n@1118 33
n@1118 34 \title{Web Audio Evaluation Tool: A framework for subjective assessment of audio}
n@1118 35 %\subtitle{[Extended Abstract]
n@1118 36 %\titlenote{A full version of this paper is available as
n@1118 37 %\textit{Author's Guide to Preparing ACM SIG Proceedings Using
n@1118 38 %\LaTeX$2_\epsilon$\ and BibTeX} at
n@1118 39 %\texttt{www.acm.org/eaddress.htm}}}
n@1118 40 %
n@1118 41 % You need the command \numberofauthors to handle the 'placement
n@1118 42 % and alignment' of the authors beneath the title.
n@1118 43 %
n@1118 44 % For aesthetic reasons, we recommend 'three authors at a time'
n@1118 45 % i.e. three 'name/affiliation blocks' be placed beneath the title.
n@1118 46 %
n@1118 47 % NOTE: You are NOT restricted in how many 'rows' of
n@1118 48 % "name/affiliations" may appear. We just ask that you restrict
n@1118 49 % the number of 'columns' to three.
n@1118 50 %
n@1118 51 % Because of the available 'opening page real-estate'
n@1118 52 % we ask you to refrain from putting more than six authors
n@1118 53 % (two rows with three columns) beneath the article title.
n@1118 54 % More than six makes the first-page appear very cluttered indeed.
n@1118 55 %
n@1118 56 % Use the \alignauthor commands to handle the names
n@1118 57 % and affiliations for an 'aesthetic maximum' of six authors.
n@1118 58 % Add names, affiliations, addresses for
n@1118 59 % the seventh etc. author(s) as the argument for the
n@1118 60 % \additionalauthors command.
n@1118 61 % These 'additional authors' will be output/set for you
n@1118 62 % without further effort on your part as the last section in
n@1118 63 % the body of your article BEFORE References or any Appendices.
n@1118 64
n@1118 65 % FIVE authors instead of four, to leave space between first two authors.
n@1118 66 \numberofauthors{5} % in this sample file, there are a *total*
n@1118 67 % of EIGHT authors. SIX appear on the 'first-page' (for formatting
n@1118 68 % reasons) and the remaining two appear in the \additionalauthors section.
n@1118 69 %
n@1118 70 \author{
n@1118 71 % You can go ahead and credit any number of authors here,
n@1118 72 % e.g. one 'row of three' or two rows (consisting of one row of three
n@1118 73 % and a second row of one, two or three).
n@1118 74 %
n@1118 75 % The command \alignauthor (no curly braces needed) should
n@1118 76 % precede each author name, affiliation/snail-mail address and
n@1118 77 % e-mail address. Additionally, tag each line of
n@1118 78 % affiliation/address with \affaddr, and tag the
n@1118 79 % e-mail address with \email.
n@1118 80 %
n@1118 81 % 1st. author
n@1118 82 \alignauthor Nicholas Jillings\\
n@1118 83 \email{n.g.r.jillings@se14.qmul.ac.uk}
n@1118 84 % dummy author for nicer spacing
n@1118 85 \alignauthor
n@1118 86 % 2nd. author
n@1118 87 \alignauthor Brecht De Man\\
n@1118 88 \email{b.deman@qmul.ac.uk}
n@1118 89 \and % use '\and' if you need 'another row' of author names
n@1118 90 % 3rd. author
n@1118 91 \alignauthor David Moffat\\
n@1118 92 \email{d.j.moffat@qmul.ac.uk}
n@1118 93 % 4th. author
n@1118 94 \alignauthor Joshua D. Reiss\\
n@1118 95 \email{joshua.reiss@qmul.ac.uk}
n@1118 96 \and % new line for address
n@1118 97 \affaddr{Centre for Digital Music, School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science}\\
n@1118 98 \affaddr{Queen Mary University of London}\\
n@1118 99 \affaddr{Mile End Road,}
n@1118 100 \affaddr{London E1 4NS}\\
n@1118 101 \affaddr{United Kingdom}\\
n@1118 102 }
n@1118 103 %Centre for Digital Music, School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London
n@1118 104 %% 5th. author
n@1118 105 %\alignauthor Sean Fogarty\\
n@1118 106 % \affaddr{NASA Ames Research Center}\\
n@1118 107 % \affaddr{Moffett Field}\\
n@1118 108 % \email{fogartys@amesres.org}
n@1118 109 %% 6th. author
n@1118 110 %\alignauthor Charles Palmer\\
n@1118 111 % \affaddr{Palmer Research Laboratories}\\
n@1118 112 % \affaddr{8600 Datapoint Drive}\\
n@1118 113 % \email{cpalmer@prl.com}
n@1118 114 %}
n@1118 115 % There's nothing stopping you putting the seventh, eighth, etc.
n@1118 116 % author on the opening page (as the 'third row') but we ask,
n@1118 117 % for aesthetic reasons that you place these 'additional authors'
n@1118 118 % in the \additional authors block, viz.
n@1118 119 %\additionalauthors{Additional authors: John Smith (The Th{\o}rv{\"a}ld Group,
n@1118 120 %email: {\texttt{jsmith@affiliation.org}}) and Julius P.~Kumquat
n@1118 121 %(The Kumquat Consortium, email: {\texttt{jpkumquat@consortium.net}}).}
n@1118 122 \date{1 October 2015}
n@1118 123 % Just remember to make sure that the TOTAL number of authors
n@1118 124 % is the number that will appear on the first page PLUS the
n@1118 125 % number that will appear in the \additionalauthors section.
n@1118 126
n@1118 127 \maketitle
n@1118 128 \begin{abstract}
n@1118 129
n@1118 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@1118 131
n@1118 132 \end{abstract}
n@1118 133
n@1118 134
n@1118 135 \section{Introduction}
n@1118 136
n@1118 137 % Listening tests/perceptual audio evaluation: what are they, why are they important
n@1118 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@1118 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@1118 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@1118 141 % maybe some references? If there's space.
n@1118 142
n@1118 143 % check out http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10055-015-0270-8 - only paper that cited WAC15 paper
n@1118 144
n@1118 145 % Why difficult? Challenges? What constitutes a good interface?
n@1118 146 % Technical, interfaces, user friendliness, reliability
n@1118 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@1118 148
n@1118 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@1118 150
n@1118 151 % Why in the browser?
n@1118 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@1118 153
n@1118 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@1118 155
n@1118 156 % only browser-based?
n@1118 157 \begin{table*}[ht]
n@1118 158 \caption{Table with existing listening test platforms and their features}
n@1118 159 \small
n@1118 160 \begin{center}
n@1118 161 \begin{tabular}{|*{9}{l|}}
n@1118 162 \hline
n@1118 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@1118 164 \textbf{Reference} & \cite{ape} & \cite{beaqlejs} & \cite{hultigen} & & \cite{mushram} & \cite{scale} & \cite{whisper} & \cite{waet} \\ \hline
n@1118 165 \textbf{Language} & MATLAB & JS & MAX & JS & MATLAB & MATLAB & MATLAB & JS \\ \hline
n@1118 166 \textbf{Remote} & & (\checkmark) & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline \hline
n@1118 167 MUSHRA (ITU-R BS. 1534) & & \checkmark & \checkmark & \checkmark & \checkmark & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 168 APE & \checkmark & & & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 169 Rank Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 170 Likert Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 171 ABC/HR (ITU-R BS. 1116) & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 172 -50 to 50 Bipolar with ref. & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 173 Absolute Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 174 Degradation Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 175 Comparison Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 176 9 Point Hedonic Category Rating Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 177 ITU-R 5 Continuous Impairment Scale & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 178 Pairwise / AB Test & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 179 Multi-attribute ratings & & & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 180 ABX Test & & \checkmark & \checkmark & & & & & \checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 181 Adaptive psychophysical methods & & & & & & & \checkmark & \\ \hline
n@1118 182 Repertory Grid Technique & & & & & & & \checkmark & \\ \hline
n@1118 183 Semantic Differential & & & & & & \checkmark & \checkmark &\checkmark \\ \hline
n@1118 184 n-Alternative Forced Choice & & & & & & \checkmark & & \\ \hline
n@1118 185 \end{tabular}
n@1118 186 \end{center}
n@1118 187 \label{tab:toolboxes}
n@1118 188 \end{table*}
n@1118 189 %
n@1118 190 %Selling points: remote tests, visualisaton, create your own test in the browser, many interfaces, few/no dependencies, flexibility
n@1118 191
n@1118 192 %[Talking about what we do in the various sections of this paper. Referring to \cite{waet}. ]
n@1118 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@1118 194
n@1118 195 \begin{figure}[tb]
n@1118 196 \centering
n@1118 197 \includegraphics[width=.5\textwidth]{interface.png}
n@1118 198 \caption{A simple example of a multi-stimulus, single attribute, single rating scale test with a reference and comment fields.}
n@1118 199 \label{fig:interface}
n@1118 200 \end{figure}
n@1118 201
n@1118 202 \begin{comment}
n@1118 203 % MEETING 8 OCTOBER
n@1118 204 \subsection{Meeting 8 October}
n@1118 205 \begin{itemize}
n@1118 206 \item Do we manipulate audio?\\
n@1118 207 \begin{itemize}
n@1118 208 \item Add loudness equalisation? (test\_create.html) Tag with gains.
n@1118 209 \item Add volume slider?
n@1118 210 \item Cross-fade (in interface node): default 0, number of seconds
n@1118 211 \item Also: we use the playback buffer to present metrics of which portion is listened to
n@1118 212 \end{itemize}
n@1118 213 \item Logging system information: whichever are possible (justify others)
n@1118 214 \item Input streams as audioelements
n@1118 215 \item Capture microphone to estimate loudness (especially Macbook)
n@1118 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@1118 217 \item Record IP address (PHP function, grab and append to XML file)
n@1118 218 \item Expand anchor/reference options
n@1118 219 \item AB / ABX
n@1118 220 \end{itemize}
n@1118 221
n@1118 222 \subsubsection{Issues}
n@1118 223 \begin{itemize}
n@1118 224 \item Filters not consistent (Nick to test across browsers)
n@1118 225 \item Playback audiobuffers need to be destroyed and rebuilt each time
n@1118 226 \item Can't get channel data, hardware input/output...
n@1118 227 \end{itemize}
n@1118 228 \end{comment}
n@1118 229
n@1118 230 \section{Architecture} % title? 'back end'? % NICK
n@1118 231 \label{sec:architecture}
n@1118 232 %A slightly technical overview of the system. Talk about XML, JavaScript, Web Audio API, HTML5.
n@1118 233
n@1118 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@1118 235
n@1118 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@1118 237
n@1118 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@1118 239 \begin{comment}
n@1118 240 \begin{figure}[h!]
n@1118 241 \centering
n@1118 242 \includegraphics[width=.45\textwidth]{test_create_2.png}
n@1118 243 \caption{Screen-shot of test creator tool using drag and drop to create specification document}
n@1118 244 \label{fig:test_create}
n@1118 245 \end{figure}
n@1118 246 \end{comment}
n@1118 247
n@1118 248 %Describe and/or visualise audioholder-audioelement-... structure.
n@1118 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@1118 250
n@1118 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@1118 252
n@1118 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@1118 254
n@1118 255 %Which type of files? WAV, anything else? Perhaps not exhaustive list, but say something along the lines of 'whatever browser supports'. Compatability?
n@1118 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@1118 257
n@1118 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@1118 259
n@1118 260 \section{Remote tests} % with previous?
n@1118 261 \label{sec:remote}
n@1118 262
n@1118 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@1118 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@1118 265
n@1118 266 The following features allow easy and effective remote testing:
n@1118 267 \begin{description}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1118 268 \item[PHP script to collect result XML files] and store on central server.
n@1118 269 \item[Randomly pick a specified number of pages] to ensure an equal and randomised spread of the different pages (`audioHolders') across participants.
n@1118 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@1118 271 % In theory calibration could be applied anywhere??
n@1118 272 % \item Functionality to participate multiple times
n@1118 273 % \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1118 274 % \item Possible to log in with unique ID (no password)
n@1118 275 % \item Pick `new user' (generates new, unique ID) or `already participated' (need already available ID)
n@1118 276 % \item Store XML on server with IDs plus which audioholders have already been listened to
n@1118 277 % \item Don't show `post-test' survey after first time
n@1118 278 % \item Pick `new' audioholders if available
n@1118 279 % \item Copy survey information first time to new XMLs
n@1118 280 % \end{itemize}
n@1118 281 \item[Intermediate saves] for tests which were interrupted or unfinished.
n@1118 282 \item[Collect IP address information] for geographic location, through PHP function which grabs address and appends to XML file.
n@1118 283 \item[Collect Browser and Display information] to the extent it is available and reliable.
n@1118 284 \end{description}
n@1118 285
n@1118 286
n@1118 287 \section{Interfaces} % title? 'Front end'? % Dave
n@1118 288 \label{sec:interfaces}
n@1118 289
n@1118 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@1118 291
n@1118 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@1118 293 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1118 294 \item MUSHRA (ITU-R BS. 1534)~\cite{recommendation20031534}
n@1118 295 \begin{comment}
n@1118 296 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1118 297 \item Multiple stimuli are presented and rated on a continuous scale, which includes a reference, hidden reference and hidden anchors.
n@1118 298 \end{itemize}
n@1118 299 \end{comment}
n@1118 300 \item Rank Scale~\cite{pascoe1983evaluation}: stimuli ranked on single horizontal scale, where they are ordered in preference order.
n@1118 301 \item Likert scale~\cite{likert1932technique}: each stimuli has a five point scale with values: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree and Strongly Disagree.
n@1118 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@1118 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@1118 304 \item Absolute Category Rating (ACR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}: Likert but labels are Bad, Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent
n@1118 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@1118 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@1118 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@1118 308 \item ITU-R 5 Point Continuous Impairment Scale~\cite{rec1997bs}: Same as ABC/HR but with a reference.
n@1118 309 \item Pairwise Comparison (Better/Worse)~\cite{david1963method}: every stimulus is rated as being either better or worse than the reference.
n@1118 310 \item APE style \cite{ape}: Multiple stimuli as points on a 2D plane for inter-sample rating (eg. Valence Arousal)
n@1118 311 \item AB Test~\cite{lipshitz1981great}: Two stimuli presented at a time, participant selects a preferred stimulus.
n@1118 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@1118 313 \end{itemize}
n@1118 314
n@1118 315 It is possible to include any number of references, anchors, hidden references and hidden anchors into all of these listening test formats.
n@1118 316
n@1118 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@1118 318
n@1118 319 %%%% \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1118 320 %%%% \item (APE style) \cite{ape}
n@1118 321 %%%% \item Multi attribute ratings
n@1118 322 %%%% \item MUSHRA (ITU-R BS. 1534)~\cite{recommendation20031534}
n@1118 323 %%%% \item Interval Scale~\cite{zacharov1999round}
n@1118 324 %%%% \item Rank Scale~\cite{pascoe1983evaluation}
n@1118 325 %%%%
n@1118 326 %%%% \item 2D Plane rating - e.g. Valence vs. Arousal~\cite{carroll1969individual}
n@1118 327 %%%% \item Likert scale~\cite{likert1932technique}
n@1118 328 %%%%
n@1118 329 %%%% \item {\bf All the following are the interfaces available in HULTI-GEN~\cite{hultigen} }
n@1118 330 %%%% \item ABC/HR (ITU-R BS. 1116)~\cite{recommendation19971116}
n@1118 331 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1118 332 %%%% \item Continuous Scale (5-1) Imperceptible, Perceptible but not annoying, slightly annoying, annoying, very annoying. (default Inaudible?)
n@1118 333 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1118 334 %%%% \item -50 to 50 Bipolar with Ref
n@1118 335 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1118 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@1118 337 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1118 338 %%%% \item Absolute Category Rating (ACR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}
n@1118 339 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1118 340 %%%% \item 5 point Scale - Bad, Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent (Default fair?)
n@1118 341 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1118 342 %%%% \item Degredation Category Rating (DCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}
n@1118 343 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1118 344 %%%% \item 5 point Scale - Inaudible, Audible but not annoying, slightly annoying, annoying, very annoying. (default Inaudible?) - {\it Basically just quantised ABC/HR?}
n@1118 345 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1118 346 %%%% \item Comparison Category Rating (CCR) Scale~\cite{rec1996p}
n@1118 347 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1118 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@1118 349 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1118 350 %%%% \item 9 Point Hedonic Category Rating Scale~\cite{peryam1952advanced}
n@1118 351 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1118 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@1118 353 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1118 354 %%%% \item ITU-R 5 Point Continuous Impairment Scale~\cite{rec1997bs}
n@1118 355 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1118 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@1118 357 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1118 358 %%%% \item Pairwise Comparison (Better/Worse)~\cite{david1963method}
n@1118 359 %%%% \begin{itemize}
n@1118 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@1118 361 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1118 362 %%%% \end{itemize}
n@1118 363
n@1118 364 % Build your own test
n@1118 365
n@1118 366 \begin{comment}
n@1118 367 { \bf A screenshot would be nice.
n@1118 368
n@1118 369 Established tests (see below) included as `presets' in the build-your-own-test page. }
n@1118 370 \end{comment}
n@1118 371
n@1118 372 \section{Analysis and diagnostics}
n@1118 373 \label{sec:analysis}
n@1118 374 % don't mention Python scripts
n@1118 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@1118 376 \begin{figure}[bhf]
n@1118 377 \centering
n@1118 378 \includegraphics[width=.5\textwidth]{boxplot.png}
n@1118 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@1118 380 \caption{Box and whisker plot showing the aggregated numerical ratings of six stimuli by a group of subjects.}
n@1118 381 \label{fig:timeline}
n@1118 382 \end{figure}
n@1118 383 For this reason, we include a proof-of-concept web page with:
n@1118 384 \begin{itemize}[noitemsep,nolistsep]
n@1118 385 \item All audioholder IDs, file names, subject IDs, audio element IDs, ... in the collected XMLs so far (\texttt{saves/*.xml})
n@1118 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@1118 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@1118 388 \item Scatter plot, confidence plot and box plot of rating values (see Figure )
n@1118 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@1118 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@1118 391 \item All `comments' on a specific audioelement
n@1118 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@1118 393 %\item Validation of setup XMLs (easily spot `errors', like duplicate IDs or URLs, missing/dangling tags, ...)
n@1118 394 \end{itemize}
n@1118 395
n@1118 396
n@1118 397 %A subset of the above would already be nice for this paper.
n@1118 398 \section{Concluding remarks and future work}
n@1118 399 \label{sec:conclusion}
n@1118 400
n@1118 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@1118 402
n@1118 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@1118 404
n@1118 405 The code and documentation can be pulled or downloaded from our online repository available at \url{code.soundsoftware.ac.uk/projects/webaudioevaluationtool}.
n@1118 406 % remote
n@1118 407 % language support (not explicitly stated)
n@1118 408 % crossfades
n@1118 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@1118 410 % collect information about software and sound system
n@1118 411 % buttons, scales, ... UI elements
n@1118 412 % must be able to load uncompressed PCM
n@1118 413
n@1118 414 %
n@1118 415 % The following two commands are all you need in the
n@1118 416 % initial runs of your .tex file to
n@1118 417 % produce the bibliography for the citations in your paper.
n@1118 418 \bibliographystyle{ieeetr}
n@1118 419 \small
n@1118 420 \bibliography{WAC2016} % sigproc.bib is the name of the Bibliography in this case
n@1118 421 % You must have a proper ".bib" file
n@1118 422 % and remember to run:
n@1118 423 % latex bibtex latex latex
n@1118 424 % to resolve all references
n@1118 425 %
n@1118 426 % ACM needs 'a single self-contained file'!
n@1118 427 %
n@1118 428 \end{document}