PhD Study : An Approach for Constructing and Sharing Open Data Sets in Experimental Pervasive Computing

Summary

Scientific research is built on the notion of sharing experimental results for peer review, verification, replication and validation. To facilitate this, many scientific disciplines not only share their experimental protocols and results through academic papers but also share their datasets and related experimental meta-data to facilitate replication, evaluation and benchmarking. Within the pervasive healthcare community, the Open Data Initiative (ODI) has been proposed and prototyped to address this need. Key features of this initiative are an ontology representation for description and interrogation of experiment meta-data (activities, devices, participants, protocols, locations), XES (eXtensible Event Stream) mark-up for describing event data in a semantically consistent manner, and integration with open platforms for dataset management. Through this work, many ideas have been generated and questions raised as to the optimum manner in which to specify, model and share experimental datasets in pervasive computing.

The aim of this project is to revise and extend existing work in the Open Data Initiative to address:

*what is the appropriate level of granularity at which to specify concepts in the ODI ontology to maximize both relevance of a dataset to other researchers and also reproducibility of the experiment? This includes the extent to which a dataset repository can facilitate transfer learning methods in activity recognition.

*what is the most useful format for representing event data? Using simple mark-up such as labelled csv files facilitates ease of use but is limited in the semantic information conveyed in the dataset and related meta-data. On the other hand, rich mark-up such as XES embraces semantic richness at the expense of simplicity.

*how should such a standardized approach to data sharing accommodate varying levels of experimental setup and data quality? For example, on the one hand, the experiment protocol might precisely specify dataset features as part of a randomized control trial. On the other hand, the protocol might only specify such features at a high level of abstraction (device, number of participants), to facilitate the quick sharing of results for data exploration.

Given this aim, the proposed project is expected to focus on:

*automated ontological modelling of experimental configurations in pervasive computing to enable flexible modelling granularity, supporting a range of experimental protocols.

*modelling of a workflow which will assist researchers in preparing and assembling their data for sharing with others through the ODI. This will include necessary steps and checks to ensure data integrity and quality before dissemination.

*how to automate the mark-up of collected data in a way which is (a) compliant with open data interchange formats and (b) in a format which facilitates rich semantic description of the data for dataset sharing, matching and reuse by other researchers.

*prototyping the above ideas in an ODI tool through which feedback and evaluation can be meaningfully conducted.

In summary, the aim of the work is to lead towards an ODI tool which will support pervasive computing researchers in the preparation and conduct of experiments which are ready for rapid dissemination within the research community.

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.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

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.

• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Applicants will be shortlisted if they have an average of 75% or greater in a first (honours) degree (or a GPA of 8.75/10). For applicants with a first degree average in the range of 70% to 74% (GPA 3.3): If they are undertaking an Masters, then the average of their first degree marks and their Masters marks will be used for shortlisting.

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