Measuring cognitive load with EventStream software framework

Abstract

We have constructed "EventStream" data collection and analysis software framework to support a wide variety of sensors that measure user physical state. The framework open software architecture allows the software developer to incorporate easily new types of input sensors and new data analysis outputs. The framework has been employed to conduct experiments with a questionnaire and a cognitive game where eye tracking system, emotion mouse, biosensor and oximeter were used as input sensors. The various outputs implemented include a human readable table format that conforms to statistical packages, event-specific XML as well as graphical plotting analysis tool. We offer overview of the framework's functionality and discuss its use for cognitive load experiments.