Study design

Study design

Notes
This video explains how to design an experimental protocol in the solution software. 




KEY STEP IN STUDY DESIGN 

​Groups and subjects creation

​A study consists of four parts: GROUPS, PHASES, ACQUISITION, and SESSIONS.

It is mandatory in the software to design your study and create at least one group with one individual and one phase to record physiological signals. This allows data to be classified as soon as recording is complete and avoids naming or organisational errors.

Select GROUPS to create groups and individuals: 


• Click on the button  at the bottom right. 
• Then click on the button  to add a group.
            > Fill in the required field ACRONYM, then click ADD GROUP.

• Click on the button  to add an individual to the group table.
            > Fill in the required NAME field, then click on  

You can fill in the fields associated with groups and individuals if you want to ensure good data traceability in your study. You can create as many groups and animals as you wish. You can also specify the sex of your animals and other characteristics in the notes field.

Phase creation

You must then define the experimental phases of your study. A phase is a moment in your study.
For example, it may refer to
- Your study timetable stages with the HABITUATION Day or DOSING Day stage.
- The number of weeks post dosing in the case of a longitudinal study.  
- The code or name of the molecule administered in the case of a CROSSOVER design.

This is also when you will choose the desired recording type for each phase : manual recording (START/STOP performed by the user) OR scheduled recording (START/STOP performed by the software)

Select PHASE to create phase : 



• Click on the button  at the bottom right. 

For a phase associated with continuous, manual recording (START/STOP performed by the user)

• Fill in the mandatory field PHASE NAME, then click on CREATE



For a phase associated with a scheduled recording (START/STOP performed by the software)

• Fill in the mandatory field PHASE NAME

• Click on the SCHEDULER tab and set your recording schedule.

1.      Prioritise the following actions: RECORD (= START+STOP) and WAIT (= STOP+START).

2.      Define the number of repetitions of your actions in REPEAT TIME.

3.      The last action defined must be CLOSE and must be placed in a terminal loop repeat only once 

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Example of a scheduled recording to acquire 30 minutes of signal every hour for 24 hours

• Click on CREATE