Reinventing Behavioral Health Research Methodology
Trusted by leading research organizations globally, the Effortless Assessment Research System (EARS) is an end-to-end solution for mobile sensing and Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) research.
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Trusted by Global Brands and Institutions
About EARS
EARS is fast becoming the new standard for digital research methodology with remote participant monitoring. We provide the tools and take care of the coding and data science for you. Our integrated solution includes everything you need to remotely manage, monitor and measure your research project.
EARS Smartphone Applications
EARS allows researchers to conduct continuous remote research using your participant’s personal smartphone – no other equipment is necessary! Data is collected passively and continuously from sensors on the participant’s phone on a range of behavioral variables.
Cloud Storage and Communication
Our secure cloud-based data upload and storage system ensures your participants data is safe. We put privacy at the front of everything we do. Your data and client’s data will be secure, private, and will never be shared with anyone else without your permission. Read our full privacy policy here.
Data Monitoring Dashboard
The EARS Research Dashboard allows study staff to monitor data uploads and data quality. The web-accessible dashboard simplifies and streamlines remote participant monitoring across your research team.
Data Processing and Analytics
Our team of expert data scientists provides customized research services for the extraction and delivery of a curated set of features to your research group, helping you turn data into insight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best types of research projects for using EARS?
EARS is currently being used by a range of studies and institutions including multiple NIH funded studies. Global industry-leading investigators have all selected EARS for research projects that range from adolescent cognitive development over multiple years, to behavioral indicators before and after a major event, to tracking the impact of isolation on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is included in the EARS system?
EARS is a platform that is available as a Software as a Service (SaaS) subscription model and consists of the following components and services:
Data collection smartphone applications for both iOS and Android; A secure cloud-based data upload and storage system; Secure cloud-based control of participant surveys (EMA); A web-accessible data monitoring dashboard updated every 2 hours; Expert data science services to turn data into insight;
The intention is to get research projects up and running quickly, with a full suite of capabilities and data services if required in order to get to the results and corresponding insights more quickly at a lower total cost of the project.
How much does EARS cost?
EARS is sold on an annual subscription basis that includes the software components outlined above, on-boarding, training, configuration assistance and data scientist services. Pricing ranges from $25k – $100k per year depending on the size, complexity and data scientist services needed to be successful. Contact us here for a conversation about your research project and see if we are good fit.
What is the security model for EARS?
Dealing with sensitive, personal data is a responsibility we take very, very seriously. The platform relies on consent and security to monitor and understand behaviors in order to support the research studies and provide assistance. Data collected by EARS is securely transferred using TLS to secure encrypted servers. Minors must get consent from parents or guardians prior to participating in research studies or utilizing the consumer app. We do not share data for external processing, and we follow all regional laws and regulations for operating worldwide.
Explore our full privacy policy here
What mobile sensing variables does EARS capture?
- Accelerometer
- GPS
- All text entered into the keyboard (coded by date, time, location and application)
- Music and media listening (including musical and affective qualities of songs)
- Screen-time/app usage
- Light sensor (Android only)
- Battery state and charging time (iOS only)
- Call Status (iOS only)