Noldus

The Observer XT is a behavioral coding and event logging software developed by Noldus, designed for researchers who need to record, visualize, and analyze observational data in detail. It supports the full workflow of behavioral research, from coding behaviors on a timeline and examining event sequences to integrating multiple data modalities within a fully equipped lab environment.

The software is used by researchers across a wide range of settings, including educational, psychological, clinical, and workplace contexts. It is cited as a research tool in over 15,000 publications and is described as a standard reference for behavioral coding and analysis. Users include academic institutions such as the University of Texas and the Université du Québec à Montréal.

Core Capabilities

• Coding observed behaviors from one or multiple videos on a timeline in a quantitative way
• Automatic synchronization of multiple data streams to the millisecond
• Integration of diverse data types including video, audio, eye tracking, EEG, physiological data (such as heart rate and skin conductance), and facial expressions
• Visualization of all synchronized data streams in a single unified overview
• Analysis of event sequences and behavioral patterns
• Collaborative coding workflows with inter-rater reliability checking

Data Integration

• Supports import and synchronization of data from many different sources and sensor types
• Compatible with external hardware such as eye trackers, sync boxes, and physiological recording equipment
• The number of integrable data streams depends on project setup and the types of equipment or sensors used
• A free white paper is available covering how to combine data modalities such as facial expression, physiology, and eye tracking data

Licensing and Deployment

• Uses a digital software license key that supports one or multiple activations on one or multiple devices
• Offers both fixed and floating license types; a floating license allows flexible switching between computers
• The number of activations depends on the number of licenses purchased
• Can be used outside the lab depending on the license configuration

Research Applications

• Behavioral observation in classrooms, playgrounds, homes, clinics, and workplaces
• Educational research involving cognition and affect, including synchronized brain data over time
• Psychological research requiring high levels of efficiency, detail, accuracy, and precision in behavior analysis
• Studies requiring multi-modal data collection and millisecond-level synchronization

Noldus provides a range of supporting resources for The Observer XT, including customer success stories, product videos, white papers, and guidance on lab setup, coding scheme design, and hardware selection. Prospective users can contact Noldus to discuss project requirements and licensing options.