PhD Study : Analysing behaviour characteristics of software engineers through multi-modal sensor measurement.

Summary

Fundamental to the software engineering process is the task of software maintenance, code review and program comprehension. During program comprehension, a mental model is formed of the problem space and its relationship with the underlying algorithm.

​​During a software engineering task, such as program comprehension, a range of multi-modal sensors can be used to gather environmental and physiological data particular to the engineer. This will include eye tracking, accelerometery, keyboard interaction, galvanic skin response (GSR) and heart rate variability via photoplethysmography (PPG). These sensors will enable the measurement of eye gaze (for example, to infer attention), keyboard interaction (a pseudo metric of productivity), and physiological signals (to infer characteristics such as engagement and stress). The research will investigate how these measures can be used to assess behaviour traits during such tasks.

​​A specific focus of the project will be software engineers who exhibit neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is a term which seeks to acknowledge, promote and empower the positive traits possessed by those individuals with neurodevelopmental differences, for example, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

​​Programmers with dyslexia have previously been studied within the School of Computing using eye tracking technology to better understand their approach to program comprehension. The proposed project will build upon the research methods of this work and serve as a use case to inform activity within other Schools in the University (Nursing, Psychology and Education) seeking to develop dyslexia interventions.

​Knowledge contributions will arise from investigating the aggregation and synchronisation of these multi-modal sensors, integrating other psychological instruments such as fatigue self-assessment, and data sources such as software development environment event logs. A further knowledge contribution will be sought via analysing these heterogeneous data sets using appropriate statistical and machine learning techniques.​

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living