cometrics: A New Software Tool for Behavior-analytic Clinicians and Machine Learning Researchers

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.

Reinforcement Learning in Behavior Science and Artificial Intelligence

“…First, behavior scientists could use technologies and apps designed to monitor behaviors, biomarkers, and the larger environment (i.e., ambient hovering, Augusto et al, 2010;internet of things, Salih et al, 2022). Second, behavior scientists could use platforms specifically designed to collect data on more variables (e.g., Arce et al, 2023). Once collected, more precise and personalized behavior change interventions can be developed which may uncover patterns of behaviorenvironment relations previously difficult for humans to identify (Mnih et al, 2015;Neely et al, 2022;Wong et al, 2021).…”