Knowledge Base

Keycodes

Aim

To explain the concept of keycodes, what the restrictions are, and how they are generated.

Background

Each element in the coding scheme can be linked to a keycode, which is a key or combination of keys on the keyboard that you press to code events. If you code without keycodes, you have to click on the screen with your left mouse button, which is generally slower and requires you to take your eyes off the observed scene to look at the computer monitor. The assignment of keycodes is crucial because it determines the efficiency and convenience of your recording. Your code definitions should be logical, easy to memorize, and ergonomic.

Procedure

The Observer XT can generate keycodes automatically while you build your Coding Scheme. The automatically generated keycode is based on the name of the element, for instance "w", "wa", or "wal" for "walk" using a default keycode length of 1, 2, or 3 respectively. If the keycode is already in use, the next character in the name is used. If the resulting keycodes are also in use, the next suitable character in the alphabet is used.

To choose a different keycode, click the cell next to the element in the coding scheme and type another code. Make sure the code is not already in use.

Keycodes

Conditions

• Maximum keycode length is 3 characters.
• Within a category (subjects, behaviors, or modifiers), all keycodes must be unique.
• For keycodes of more than one character, you can use code 'ab' for subject 1 and 'ac' for subject 2, but you cannot use 'a' and 'ab'.
• The keycode length may be different for subjects, behaviors, and modifiers and may also differ within the categories.
• The characters must be ASCII characters in the range between 32d and 127d.
• You cannot use the space bar as a keycode.

Notes

• To regenerate a keycode because it is conflicting with another one, right-click the code in the coding scheme and select Regenerate Selected Keycodes. To regenerate all codes, right-click any code and select Regenerate All Keycodes.
• If you have keycodes with the Shift key, you may press the right Shift key for a long time while scoring. Pressing the right Shift key for 8 seconds enables the Filter Keys option in Windows. With Filter Keys, rapid keystrokes are ignored. To disable Filter Keys, press the Windows key + U, click Make the Keyboard Easier to Use, deselect Turn on Filter Keys, and click Set Up Filter Keys. Deselect the check boxes in front of Turn on Filter Keys and Turn on Filter Keys When Right Shift Is Pressed for 8 Seconds. Click OK twice.