Available software
UUBF can provide you with access to a number of different software solutions for recording and analysing behavioural experiments.
On this page you can read more about different software solutions you can use to optimize your experiments.
SIMCA
SIMCA is an software suite designed for multivariate data analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) and thus allows for the analysis and interpretation of complex experiments and tests such as the Multivariate concentric square field™ (MCSF). UUBF have a statistical computer with SIMCA available to rent. In addition, Uppsala University owns a site license, which means that departments and research groups can pay a license fee to install SIMCA on their own computers. You can read more on Uppsala University's license on the website of UU IT. Further information on SIMCA can be found on the Sartorius' website.
LabVIEW
LabVIEW is a proprietary development platform provided by National Instruments, with the main focus on data acquisition and signal processing. UUBF currently provides LabVIEW capabilities in one of our rodent facilities. This can, however, be expanded as the need for this arises. As members of Uppsala University, laboratories and groups moreover have the possibility of acquiring their own LabVIEW licences for non-personal usage through a campus-wide licence. This covers both the current version of LabVIEW as well as LabVIEW NXG.
Free and open-source solutions
Apart from commercial solutions for recording and analysis software, there exist a variety of free and open-source software solutions that are useful for researchers working with behavioural experiments.
Experimental design
Read more on this topic in UUBF's article covering experimental design
Experimental Design Assistant (EDA): The EDA is a free online tool provided by the British NC3R, which allows you to design experimental flows and analysis schemes as well as giving suggestions for improving the quality of your research. Read more on EDA on the NC3R website.
Recording software
Read more on this topic in UUBF's article covering performing experiments
Analysis software
Read more on this topic in UUBF's article covering analysis of experiments
ToxTrac: An animal tracking software developed by researchers of Umeå University. ToxTrac can be used to track multiple animals in one arena. Additional information can be found on the developers sourceforge website.
idTracker: Similar to ToxTrac, idTracker can be used to track several animals in one arena, developed by researchers at the Cajal Institute in Madrid, Spain. The software supposedly works with a variety of different species. Additional information can be found on the developers website.
Programming environments
Arduino: Arduino is an open-source hardware platform that allows you to program microcontrollers for use in a wide variety of environments. The programming language used for Arduino scripts is based on C.
Octave: The programming language GNU Octave is an open-source alternative to the commercial Matlab with largely similar syntax and functionality. You can read more on the GNU Octave website
Python: Python is a widely used programming language with a large range of possible applications from camera control over web development to data analysis. Using NumPy and Pandas among others, it i possible to perform statistical analysis very similar to R (see below). Read more on the official Python website, and access one of several free resources and courses in Python at the learn Python website.
R: The statistical computing language R is a powerful tool for data analysis and reporting. It provides fast and reliable tools for analysis of large data sets as well as modelling and reporting tools that allow you to embed code in html and pdf files to generate reproducible reports based on your analyses. Read more on the official R website, and access one of several free resources and courses in R at the Swirl website.
Scripting and programming services
If you need help with programming and scripting, UUBF can support you with this as well. Read more on the topic on UUBF's page covering scripting and programming.
UUBF support - from design to published paper
The backbone of all experiments
A well-designed experiment is more likely to yield meaningful results while minimising the risk of unforeseen errors.
From design to result
Put your plans in practice using UUBF's facilities, equipment and expertise.
Gain insights
Get the most out of your data by optimising your data analysis.
Report your findings
Make sure you provide the most value to the scientific community by publishing your results in a clear and concise way.
