Knowledge Base

Coder License and The Observer XT

Introduction

What Is a Coder License?

The Coder License is a license that restricts the use of The Observer XT software to coding only. This means that the functionality regarding the setup and the analysis of a project are not available or locked. It is designed for use with Coding Stations, in combination with one or more full licenses. Both the full and the Coder Licenses use the same The Observer XT software.

A Coder License can come in the form of a USB hardware key that needs to be inserted into a USB port of a coding station.

A Coder License can also be a Site License that is assigned to coders. When you start up The Observer XT, choose Start with Site License and enter the login details supplied to you by your Site License administrator.

Why Use a Coder License?

When working with large projects, a lot of coding (scoring of the behaviors) can be involved. Sometimes it is worthwhile to split up the work between several observers. An efficient way to do this is to create multiple Coding Stations. Using Coder Licenses in a Multiple Coding Station setup has the advantage that you do not need full licenses for the computers that are only used for coding.

Possibilities and Restrictions

License Options

The Observer XT Coder License restricts the functionality of the program to coding and visualization only. An add-on module is available for the use of digital media files and for the use of external (physiological) data. Both media files and external data can only be imported with a Coder License; you cannot acquire them.

Observation Method

The Observation method in the main project (Offline or Live) determines what Observation method you can use on the Coding Station. You cannot score Live and control external devices simultaneously. This means that you cannot control MediaRecorder or other software to acquire data.

Coding

The Coder License allows you to:

• Score subjects, behaviors, and modifiers during an observation.
• Edit your Event log, for example, when you scored the wrong behavior or missed one.

You cannot edit the Coding Scheme or the Coding Scheme Settings.

Independent Variables

You can enter independent variable values. You cannot add or edit independent variables.

Data Selection and Analysis

Data selection and statistical analysis are not available with a Coder License. You can visualize data, but visualization is based on the Data Profile that was active when the project was saved with the full license. Therefore, it may not show all data within an observation.

File Management

With the Coder License, you cannot create a project. You can open and save a project, open a project template, make a backup of the project, restore a project, and export data as odx files or text files. Furthermore:

• You can import external data if you have the External Data Module.
• Importing observational data is not possible.
• Importing media files is possible with the Media Module.