ANALYSIS

Research-driven sonifications that have been designed to increase knowledge and understanding of data within an applied context (e.g. academic, business, education, monitoring, etc).

Part 1: An outstanding sonification in the analysis category must meet ALL of the following six criteria.

1. It must convey useful information to its intended user.

In the context of sonifications that are intended to increase knowledge about specific data in a specific, applied context, where listeners (the end users of the sonification) need to understand the data to perform specific tasks, the information conveyed by the sonification must prioritise the needs of the intended users and provide appropriate insights on the data it represents.

2. It is easy to understand by its intended audience.

An excellent sonification for data analysis will provide a solution that does not add cognitive load for the intended users: for instance, it minimises the need for specialised sound or music related training or it optimises existing data representation tools already familiar to the intended users.

3. Its data-to-sound mapping strategy is grounded in relevant scientific research.

In an excellent sonification for analysis project, the authors must be able to make the explicit criteria they used to design the data-to-sound mapping strategy. Such criteria should be grounded in relevant scientific research for instance (but are not limited to) cognition & attention studies, psychoacoustics, ergonomics & affect studies, auditory perception studies, context-analysis studies.

4. It follows an explicit design methodology.

Authors of excellent sonifications for analysis are expected to explicitly describe the methodology they followed for the design of the sonification, regardless of the chosen approach. For instance (but not limited to), they might have followed a design-driven approach that relies on design thinking methodologies, or a scientific approach that applies scientific methods borrowed from hard sciences, or methods used in HCI studies.

5. It is successful (i.e., efficient and effective) in supporting the intended users in achieving their goals.

Evidence that the sonification supports users in achieving their intended goal (e.g., solving a specific problem, completing a specific task, improving specific conditions, and so on) must be provided. There are no limitations to the methods used to measure the success of the sonification solution (i.e., using qualitative or quantitative evaluation methods) provided that the evaluation was conducted following scientific standards.

6. It must pay attention to the quality and appropriateness of the sonic experience.

An excellent sonification for analysis has to take into account 1) the quality of the sonic experience of its intended users: the sounds used in the sonification must be of the highest standard in terms of how they were produced (recorded, or synthesised) and must not, at the very minimum, be unpleasant to listen to (unless this is an intended characteristic of the sonic experience) and 2) that the authors must be able to explain how the sound design choices were done i.e., why the chosen sound material is appropriate to the context of usage. For instance, it does not increase cognitive load, it does not collide with existing sound events, and so on.

Part 2: An outstanding sonification in the analysis category must meet at least ONE of the following criteria.

It is reproducible by other researchers.
The work achieves something that could only be achieved in sound, and could not be achieved in other sensory media (i.e., through visuals alone).
In data analysis and exploration, the needs of the users might change over time. An excellent sonification for analysis is designed as an interactive solution so that users can autonomously explore data through sound according to their specific needs.
It is accessible to users regardless of their cultural background i.e., it does not require knowledge that is related to specific auditory or musical cultures, for instance Western or Oriental music, modal or serial music, and so on.
It is accessible to blind or visually impaired users.

Submissions should include

A resume of the author(s) which include name, affiliation (if applicable), and academic background / relevant experience.
The actual sonification project in a way that is easily accessible to the jury (e.g., on a public website or private URL) and in the most appropriate format (e.g., stereo or mono audio file, video, audio file accompanied by pictures, web application, downloadable application, etc.).
Supporting documentation which must include detailed information on:
- The data-to-sound mapping strategy followed in the project and how it relates to relevant scientific research (please refer to Criteria 3 - Part 1).
- The design methodology followed in the project (please refer to Criteria 4 - Part 1).
- An explanation of how the sonification is successful (efficient and effective) in supporting the intended users (please refer to Criteria 5 - Part 1).
- Any other information that authors consider relevant in reference to the evaluation criteria listed in Part 2.