Data collection

Data collection

Data collection and hypotheses are essential in most science projects. In this project we will be looking primarily at data collection using My Tracks or similar GPS-based systems.

Let's have a look at some of the data that we can get, and the ways in which they can be presented. Once we have done that, we are in a better position to start discussing hypotheses and topics to explore on the basis of those data sets.

My Tracks and GPS data

My Tracks is an Android app that uses the built-in GPS system of a smartphone to gather position-related information. There are similar apps for the iPhone that you may use instead. Or you may use a dedicated GPS-system.

Based on time and position information, the app can calculate and report a number of other things such as:

• Total Distance: 7,98 km (5,0 mi)
• Total Time: 24:38
• Moving Time: 22:43
• Average Speed: 19,42 km/h (12,1 mi/h)
• Average Moving Speed: 21,07 km/h (13,1 mi/h)
• Max Speed: 38,74 km/h (24,1 mi/h)
• Min Elevation: 47 m (153 ft)
• Max Elevation: 133 m (436 ft)
• Elevation Gain: 78 m (255 ft)

The data collected by the app can be presented and used in a number of ways:

• For display in map applications such as Google Maps, see Bicycle trip example.
• Aggregated as statistics, in the app itself on the phone or exported to a Google Docs spreadsheet. If you click the end marker of the track in Google Maps, you will get the same statistics displayed.
• In various detailed export formats such as
  CSV that can be imported into spreadsheet applications such as Excel or Google Docs spreadsheet,
  GPX for all applications that work with GPS data, e.g. Google Earth.