ANIMA Research

This is a Quality of Life survey app developed to gain a deeper understanding of the influence of the sound- and visual-environment on our day-to-day quality of life.

There is increased recognition of the importance of in-situ assessments that help researchers develop greater understanding of how people perceive their visual and acoustic environment.

This application prompts the user to collect data at random times throughout the day (excluding overnight). After a notification, a participant is asked to record the soundscape over a minute. They then complete a few questions in relation to their sound and visual environment, and mood. The experiment lasts approximately two weeks depend­ing on the number of notifications per day the participant finds acceptable.

Within the ANIMA project we are particularly interested in people who live in a wider airport region considering taking part. You can contribute to our research by downloading and using the app. At random times across the day, you will be prompted to engage with the app. All data collected will be totally anonymous (no personal data is gathered) and used solely for research purposes. By statistically analysing the responses of people living in airport regions, the ANIMA research team will gain greater understanding of what sound/visual factors contribute to different levels of perceived quality of life. Based on our findings, we will be in a better position to share knowledge with policymakers to enable them to improve the quality of life in residential areas.

Currently, the number of people exposed to a certain level of aircraft noise is calculated on the basis of a person’s registered residence. It is recognised that people’s daily activities naturally involve movements away from/towards home during the day and that they are, thus, exposed to higher/lower sound levels in their environment. As researchers, we would like to have a clearer view of overall movements, and the app asks, therefore, for permission to register your rough position all the time. Data is completely anonymous - we do not know whose position is being registered - and the location data are rounded to a 100x100m grid, thereby making it even more "uncertain" where the user actually was. You can naturally refuse to be followed, but we would really appreciate if you wouldn't do so.