Sonification Experiment
This experiment forms part of a project which has the objective of improving screening to prevent cervical cancer. Screening is based on cytologists examining microscope slides containing cervical cells. Cells can be classified as more or less 'good' or 'bad', according to how likely they are to be signs of potential cancer. The objective of this project is to find out whether presenting information about the cells in sound will help in the classification. You can find out more about this project on its webpage.
This experiment does not require you to classify cells, but rather smiley faces, as below.
- Normal
- Undecided
- Bad
They are meant to represent three kinds of cells:
- Normal
- Most of the cells will be of this category. This is the sound the cytologists will hear most of the time, indicating no need for concern.
- Undecided
- This is a cell somewhere between the two extremes.
- Bad
- There is a high probability that this cell is abnormal. The cytologist's attention should be drawn to it for closer examination.
There is a series of sounds which you will play one at a time. After hearing each one, you must indicate which of the smileys you think best matches the sound you just heard. You are only allowed to hear each sound once. You will be played 42 sounds and the whole test will take no more than 10 minutes.
The aesthetics of sounds are very important, so we also want to know if there are any sounds which you think are unsuitable to be used at all. Thus, there is a fourth option: Don't use this sound. If you select this option, you will be asked why you do not like it.
Please note that there is no right or wrong answer. We are simply interested in your opinion as to which face best matches each sound. We need to know whether there is any consistency in people's reactions to the sounds. If there is, then we will be able to use these sounds to characterize cells; if not, then we will have to think again!
Also, you do not have to be a musician or be otherwise specially qualified to do this experiment; it is important that we get input from all kinds of people.
At the end of the experiment you will also be asked to fill in a brief questionnaire regarding your background and your reactions to the experiment.
You may email any queries regarding this experiment to: alistair@cs.york.ac.uk.
By proceeding you will also be asserting that to the best of your knowledge you have a normal hearing ability. Since the experiment requires matching sounds to visual pictures, it is also not suitable for people with severe visual impairment.