Data analysis with Wintrack - the basics

The purpose of Wintrack is the numerical and graphical off-line analysis of paths and related data that were recorded from behaving animals and then stored as case documents. The process of data analysis involves three steps:

1. The Arena Properties command is used to define the arena in which the experiment was carried out.
2. A set of variables capturing the relevant aspect(s) of the data is defined.
3. The Analyze Case Document command applies the variable definitions to the data and produces a numerical or graphical result.
   

Wintrack offers two levels of data analysis. Quick an easy data analysis has been implemented for those users who, using a simple and intuitive interface, wish to carry out a rapid analysis of experiments carried out in a standard open field, Morris watermaze or Barnes maze. Advanced data analysis is aimed at those researchers who work with nonstandard behavioral setups or are asking more specific questions about their data.

The quick and easy way

1. You first invoke the Arena properties command. Its dialog box allows you to select and scale one of three predefined arena types: open field, water maze, or Barnes maze.
2. Wintrack offers a long list of predefined variables, so you do not need to worry about variable definitions.
3. You open the case document(s) of interest and use the Analyze Case Document command to analyze them, selecting and fine tuning predefined variables from the list in the Analyze Case Document dialog. The results are displayed in a scrollsheet that can easily be transferred to statistics and graphics software.

The advanced way

1. The Wintrack power user begins by writing a custom setup file (ASCII text file with extension .WSP) to define a custom arena that may contain an almost unlimited number of fields representing objects and sub/zones. He can also change the graphical appearance of the path, specify the graphical appearance of behavioral events, and define timelines that represent the flow of time rather than the animal's position in space. Furthermore, custom setups permit to handle data from experiments that are conducted without a confined arena (eg. homing pigeon releases). Once built, a custom setup file is parsed by the Arena properties command.
2. In a custom variable definition file (ASCII text file with extension .VDF), the Wintrack power user next defines the variables that refer to the custom arena and any object or zone it contains. While building a custom variable definition file, up to 4096 custom variables can be defined. The flow of data inside Wintrack can be directed in many different ways. It begins with the definition of a data matrix, from which four types of numerical variables can be derived: profile, trial, case, and surface variables. Data can also be evaluated graphically using bullets or by converting surface variables into surface documents with the New Surface Document command. Analysis is not restricted to the path of the animal, but may include behavioral events (eg. grooming or sniffing) and other supplemental data (eg. vertical activity or flight altitude). Using conditional trial discarding, the analysis may be restricted to data that meet a set of criteria. For more efficient maintenance, variables may be defined as variable blocks.
3. Custom variables are applied to case documents using the Analyze Case Document command. The results are displayed in a scrollsheet that can be transferred to statistics and graphics software. The results of bullet analysis are displayed directly on top of the case data, whereas surface variables are reported in scrollsheets from which surface documents can be created.

Becoming a Wintrack power user requires that you familiarize yourself with the basic concepts behind path data analysis and that you learn the statement syntax of custom setup and variable definition files. But this will greatly expand the power and flexibility of Wintrack.