PsyPhyQA Group (psyphyqa@vqeg.org)
The Psycho-Physiological Quality Assessment (PsyPhyQA) Project is directed towards the development of new methodologies for subjective assessment and objective measurement of interactive communications services. In this effort, novel investigation methods based on psycho-physiological measurements are considered in addition to the more common subjective testing methodologies for interactive communication services.
Psycho-physiological measurements
Video quality assessment is typically performed using questionnaires, either open-ended or based on psychometric scales, such as n-point Likert scales. As valuable as these studies are, they are based on conscious responses by the participants and often do not provide sufficiently deep insight into underlying perceptual and cognitive processes. In order to gain a deeper understanding about the perceptual and cognitive processes underlying video quality perception, psychophysiological measurements can be performed. For instance:
- Eye gaze tracking provides valuable information about overt visual attention in visual space.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) measurements inform about cognitive activity, such as cognitive load, situational awareness, emotional responses, and covert attention.
- Galvanic skin response (GSR) provides insight into arousal and hence emotional states.
These psychophysiological responses are not intended to replace well established psychophysical assessment techniques, but to augment them and provide additional sub-conscious information.
The aim of the PsyPhyQA project is to establish novel psychophysiology based techniques and methodologies for video quality assessment and real-time interaction of humans with advanced video communication environments. Specifically, some of the aspects that the project is looking at include:
- Video quality assessment based on human psychophysiology, including, eye gaze, EEG, EKG, EMG, GSR, etc.
- Computational video quality models based on psychophysiological measurements
- Signal processing and machine learning techniques for psychophysiology based video quality assessment
- Experimental design and methodologies for psychophysiological assessment
- Correlates of psychophysics and psychophysiology
Subjective testing methodologies for interactive communication
This part of the project is currently put on hold. New objectives and scope will be decided when this part of the project is restarted again.
History
This group was previously named the Real-Time Interactive Communications Evaluation (RICE).
Documents and Test Plan
All documents of the PsyPhyQA is currently collected on a Google drive. Specifically the draft test plan can be viewed here.
Questions should be sent to the PsyPhyQA Co-Chairs Sebastian Bosse, and Naeem Ramzan .