The validity of RFID badges measuring face-to-face interactions

Abstract

Face-to-face interactions are important for a variety of individual behaviors and outcomes. In recent years, a number of human sensor technologies have been proposed to incorporate direct observations in behavioral studies of face-to-face interactions. One of the most promising emerging technologies is the application of active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) badges. They are increasingly applied in behavioral studies because of their low costs, straightforward applicability, and moderate ethical concerns. However, despite the attention that RFID badges have recently received, there is a lack of systematic tests on how valid RFID badges are in measuring face-to-face interactions. With two studies, we aim to fill this gap. Study 1 (N = 11) compares how data assessed with RFID badges correspond with video data of the same interactions (construct validity) and how this fit can be improved using straightforward data processing strategies. The analyses show that the RFID badges have a sensitivity of 50%, which can be enhanced to 65% when flickering signals with gaps of less than 75 s are interpolated. The specificity is relatively less affected by this interpolation process (before interpolation 97%, after interpolation 94.7%)-resulting in an improved accuracy of the measurement. In Study 2 (N = 73) we show that self-report data of social interactions correspond highly with data gathered with the RFID badges (criterion validity).

Depressive symptoms are associated with social isolation in face-to-face interaction networks

“…Because the signal is shielded towards the back by the participant's body, they only measure frontal face-to-face social interactions. The validity of RFID badges to measure social interactions has been shown in Elmer et al 36 .…”

“…We conducted a number of robustness analyses of these multi-group MRQAP analyses: (1) for the two samples separately, with a (2) non log-transformed dependent matrix, and (3) with non-merged RFID data (interactions of dyads that were no longer than 75 seconds apart have been merged as recommended by Elmer et al 36 for improved validity). Also, we included measures of the Big Five personality traits into the model.…”

“…Before the arrival at the remotely located camp house, each participant was equipped with a badge that consisted of the active Radio Frequency Identification device (RFID; see Fig. 1), which allowed us to measure their social interactions 35,36 . The badge was covered with a piece of paper with the participant's name printed on it.…”

“…Before the arrival of the participants, the camp house was equipped with 8 RFID readers so that in every room of the house and in commonly used outside areas (e.g., smoking area) signals between RFID badges could be detected. We followed the recommendations by Elmer et al 36 , to enhance the validity of RFID badges by merging interactions of the same dyad if the signals are no longer than 75 seconds apart. Robustness analyses conducted on data that was not processed in that way can be found in Table S1 and Table S2 of the Supplementary Materials.…”

“…Robustness analyses conducted on data that was not processed in that way can be found in Table S1 and Table S2 of the Supplementary Materials. More details on the RFID badges to measure face-to-face interactions can be found elsewhere 35,36 .…”