PALMS+User's+Guide++Introduction

=Introduction=

__Terminology__

 * Study**

PALMS is organized by Studies. A Study contains all the device and participant data as well as the results of calculations performed on that data. Studies are created by Researches who establishes the study's access controls and permissions for other PALMS users.


 * Devices**

Devices collect data about study Participants. Typical devices include GPS dataloggers, accelerometers, heart rate monitors.


 * Participants**

Study Participants (sometimes called subjects) typically wear one or more devices for several days. At the end of that period, the data is downloaded from the device and uploaded to the PALMS server via a page on the PALMS web site.


 * Datasets**

Data from devices is uploaded to PALMS via a web page and stored into datasets. A dataset contains data for a single participant for a single device recorded over a given period. A participant may have multiple datasets for each device.


 * Calculations**

Calculations are applied to the raw datasets for one or multiple participants. Calculations typically merge datasets from multiple devices to create a resultset that cleans, categorizes and summarizes the raw data. Calculations contain options and parameters that determine how the calculation works. These defaults can be changed by the user and save as Protocols.


 * Protocols**

Options and parameters used by a calculation. Protocols are saved with each resultset, enabling the user to see details about how the result was generated.


 * Resultsets**

Resultsets are generated each time a calculation is executed. It contains either the resulting data or a error message if the calculation fails. Resultsets can be exported as CSV files or KML files. They can also be deleted.


 * CSV**

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) can be imported into spreadsheets (Excel), statistical programs (SPSS, SAS) or GIS programs (ArcGIS) for display and analysis.


 * KML**

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) can be viewed in Google Earth.


 * Users**

Users refer to people who access the PALMS web application. Study Participants (or subjects) are not considered Users. Users are assigned to roles, each with a different level of access and privileges (see next section).

__User Roles__

 * Researchers**

Researchers have the highest level of privileges. They can create studies and determine the access privileges of other PALMS users for the study. Researchers typically configure the study, selecting the devices to be used, the calculations to be performed and participant information to be collected.


 * Research Assistants**

Research Assistants typically run calculations and view and export the results. They may also perform the roles of the measurement staff.


 * Measurement Staff**

Measurement staff typically configure the devices, add participants (and their information) into PALMS, meets with the participants, instructing them on the proper use of the devices. At the end of the measurement period, the staff download data from the devices and uploads it into PALMS.

__Typical Workflow__

 * 1) Researcher creates a study
 * 2) Researcher assigns privileges to other PALMS users.
 * 3) Researcher adds devices and calculations to the study
 * 4) Measurement adds participants to the study
 * 5) Measurement imports data for each device and participant into the study
 * 6) Measurement views data to validate it.
 * 7) Research Assistants define calculation protocols and run calculations.
 * 8) Research Assistants view result of calculations
 * 9) Research Assistants export results as CSV and/or KML files

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