Research Luuk Van Waes

Abstract

This project is geared towards discovering and developing new applications of state-of-the-art psychophysiological sensor technologies (using computational and AI techniques) to help people with different needs work, learn and play in our modern society, ensuring that this tracking is meaningfully and responsibly applied. To accomplish this, our consortium is suitably interdisciplinary. This undertaking requires well-controlled lab studies and (near-)continuous psychophysiological tracking in real-life settings 'in the wild'. The research infrastructure applied for enables flexible movement from lab explorations of promising markers to checking their robustness in realistic, ecological contexts, and back again.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Gijbels David
• Co-promoter: Daelemans Walter
• Co-promoter: DeSmet Ann
• Co-promoter: Jankowska Anna
• Co-promoter: Latré Steven
• Co-promoter: Poels Karolien
• Co-promoter: Vaes Kristof
• Co-promoter: Van de Cruys Sander
• Co-promoter: Van den Bossche Piet
• Co-promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• EduBROn

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

We aim to create a user friendly web environment to make the collection and fine grained analysis of sentence copying data, via the Inputlog copy task, easily available to the educational research community.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

With the responsibility for financial decisions shifting from institutions to individuals, the ability to understand financial information (known as 'financial literacy') is paramount. Having reduced financial literacy results in higher risk of over-indebtedness, and in reduced ability to manage one's wealth. Text simplification, involving the use of plain language, is one of the strategies adopted to meet the needs of low-literacy readers. The comprehensibility of financial texts has received attention at the European level. An action plan developed as part of the EU policy on consumer financial services lists opaque terms and conditions among the concerns raised by customers when conducting cross-border shopping. Despite plain language efforts, the comprehensibility of financial content has not been increasing consistently. Scholars have therefore emphasised the need to train business (communication) students in text simplification and provided resources to that end. There is, however, lack of empirical evidence on the benefits (or lack thereof) of plain language training. This project aims to address this research gap by investigating the impact of plain language training on: (i) how financial texts are simplified by business students; and (ii) the resulting comprehensibility of simplified financial texts among lay readers with different levels of financial literacy. To do so, I will conduct two experimental studies. For the first study, focusing on the simplification process, I will use keystroke logging, retrospective interviews, and screen recording. For the second study, dealing with the comprehensibility of financial content, I will use multiple-choice questions. This project can identify simplification-oriented revisions that are implemented by business students and that are beneficial for comprehension of financial content. Ultimately, these findings can guide financial institutions in their efforts to meet the needs of readers with low financial literacy.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Co-promoter: Rossetti Alessandra
• Fellow: Rossetti Alessandra

Research team(s)

• Management

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the client. UA provides the client research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Rijlaarsdam Gert
• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Co-promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

When using keystroke logging not only do we register the written text, also the writers' activities in other Windows programs. Sometimes these activities might be privacy related (e.g., a password to access webmail or Facebook). Therefore, we have developed a version of Inputlog that restricts the full logging to MS-Word, and complements that with restricted logging (only environment and time information - no input) in all other environments accessed.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Inputlog is a keystroke logging tool to monitor written language production, developed at the University of Antwerp (www.inputlog.net) and used worldwide. Inputlog can handle most Western alphabets, including for instance Greek or Sami, without any other tuning than the selection of the appropriate regional setting and keyboard layout. But no easy way exists to represent the large number of Chinese logograms on a keyboard. However, there is a growing demand for tools to study the Chinese language and this includes a request to broaden the possibilities of Inputlog, both from Western researchers who study Chinese as from Chinese writing researchers.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In the current project we would like to test for the very first time the complementary diagnostic accuracy for AD, mainly focusing on cognitive and linguistic aspects that characterize the process of written language production. By adding a complementary process dimension to study language production, we hope to further improve the quality, efficiency and effectivity of this potential diagnostic tool. Moreover, on a more fundamental level, we would like to investigate analysing techniques to discriminate (grapho)motor activities from cognitive activities during writing. The study consists of two procedural

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vandenbempt Koen
• Co-promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Fellow: Leijten Mariëlle

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Writing a business text, e.g. a report for a merger, is a very complex activity. Previous writing research had lead to various well-known writing process models. However, these models are primarily based on educational environments and single texts. Professional writers on the other hand often use multiple (digital) sources to succesfully write their business texts. It is important, especially in this digital age, in which (written) communication performs an important role, to describe these writing competences. This project, therefore, addresses the following research question: What writing processes and strategies are involved when professional writers write business texts from multiple (digital) sources?

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Matthyssens Paul
• Co-promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Fellow: Leijten Mariëlle

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Professional writers frequently interrupt the text production process to monitor their text produced so far. So far, this process of 'reading during writing' has not been studied. However, recent technological developments enable us to study reading behavior during writing. In our research we explore how (re)reading might shift the cognitive orientation of the writing process and the relation between reading and writing on the one hand and reading and revising on the other.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Co-promoter: Leijten Mariëlle

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. UA provides Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

During the last 20 years writing research has focused explicitly on the analysis of writing processes. More recently, logging programs (like Inputlog) enabled researchers to record process data (e.g. keystrokes & pauses) in much more detail without interfering the cognitive activities. In the current project we aggregate the logged process data from the letter level (keystroke) to the word level by merging them with lexica and Naturally Language Processing tools. This creates a very valuable basis for more linguistically oriented writing process research.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Speech recognition-based writing has proven to be a valuable and quick method to provide (intralingual) subtitles for real time television programs. The often very fast speaking rates of the source material and the limited reading rates of the viewers, however, call for some extent of summarization and adaptation. The present research project tries to identify the ideal reduction degree for the subtitling of live programs. Two subsequent experiments focus on production as well as reception of real time subtitles.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Speech recognition-based writing has proven to be a valuable and quick method to provide (intralingual) subtitles for real time television programs. The often very fast speaking rates of the source material and the limited reading rates of the viewers, however, call for some extent of summarization and adaptation. The present research project tries to identify the ideal reduction degree for the subtitling of live programs. Two subsequent experiments focus on production as well as reception of real time subtitles.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Co-principal investigator: Remael Aline
• Co-promoter: Leijten Mariëlle

Research team(s)

• Management

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this research we will build on a paradigm developed in the course of Leijten's doctoral work. In order to investigate how professional writers manage the balance between monitoring previous text an generating further text, writers are asked to generate sentence completions while at the same time monitoring and correcting errors in the sentence stem. Previous research has found that writers vary widely in the extent to which they prioritise the sentence completion part of the task or the error correcting part of the task. This study will use a modified version of this task to examine whether theses differences are related to the working memory capacity of writers and to individual differences in self-monitoring style. Eye movements will be analysed to determine how writers allocate their attention during the task. Data will be used to calculate an index of the writers' processing style.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Co-promoter: Leijten Mariëlle

Research team(s)

• Management

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

During the last 20 years writing research has focused explicitely on the analysis of writing processes. More recently, logging programs enabled researchers to record process data (e.g. keystrokes&pauses) in much more detail without interfering the cognitive activities. In this project we want to initiate an online corpus of multilingual writing processes. Also an XML-schema will be designed to create a basis for a common standard in this domain.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this project we observe and analyse 'respeakers' who us speech recognition to produce live subtitles. Main perspectives: 1. Speech technology: how does the use of speech technology influence the production (process) of subtitles and their quality (e.g., delay, error analysis, error prevention, training)? 2. Subtitles: how can we characterize subtitles produced in the context of live subtitling? 3. Cognitive writing processes: how can we descrive the cognitive processes related to pause and revision behavior of the respeakers?

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Logging software is used for an analysis of live subtitling procedures for television, in which a respeaker makes use of speech technology to produce subtitles following both the block and the scrolling methods. The study will look into the efficiency of the speech recognition process, as well as the subtitles produced by the two methods, and the cognitive writing processes they involve. The ultimate purpose of the project is to improve logging and to elaborate a procedure for the quality improvement of live subtitling.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Co-promoter: Leijten Mariëlle

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The objective of the present project is to develop a method for Quality Assessment of Digital Educational Materials (QuADEM) in the area of professional and academic writing skills. It is our experience that many institutions have been developing digital educational materials that do not fully explore the possibilities of the online environment, both in the design and implementation processes. Often educational materials developed 'for paper' are copied into a digital environment without being fully adapted to this new learning context. In the present project we want to establish a method to assess the quality of digital educational materials aking into account a multiple set of perspectives. Drawing on a number of new modules that will be developed and implemented for specific niches of business, academic and technical (foreign) language writing, the present project will result in a procedure that should enable the participating institutions to add a 'quality label' to the materials they develop for their writing centers. Although the Quality Method is developed in the context of (professional) writing education, the aim of the present project is to develop a method that is transferable to other domains of online learning because of its generic character. The project will result in a detailed quality procedure to effectively and efficiently evaluate digital learning modules. The Quality Method will be supported by the publication of a book as well as by the development of a web based administration tool to guarantee an easy implementation of the quality circle. To explore the relevant components of the Quality Method we set out to integrate a wide range of different perspectives on quality assessment, different methods for assessing quality, different facilitating tools and different materials.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Inputlog is a logging tool that enables researchers to log and analyse writing processes in detail.In this project we have planned to integrate more complex parsing rules to the program (using Bison and Flex). The parsing technique simplifies the overall program by decoupling the input and processing components and by providing a natural, modular structure. Furthermore, hiding the implementation details of the different analyses, not only results in a more readable program structure, but also creates a framework in which it is possible to get the different analyses in just one or two passes of the logging data. We will also implement this parsing techniques in new analyses and use it as a basis to integrate data from other logging applications (e.g., Morae). More information on: www.inputlog.net

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Digital media has become an increasingly powerful force in modern society. This volume brings together outstanding European, American and Australian research in "writing and digital media" and explores its cognitive, social and cultural implications. The book is divided into five sections, covering major areas of research: writing modes and writing environments (e.g. speech technology), writing and communication (e.g. hypervideos), digital tools for writing research (e.g. web analysis tools, keystroke logging and eye-tracking), writing in online educational environments (e.g. collaborative writing in L2), and social and philosophical aspects of writing and digital media (e.g. CMC, electronic literacy and the global digital divide). In addition to presenting programs of original research by internationally known scholars from a variety of disciplines, each chapter provides a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art in the field and suggests directions for future research. This wide-ranging international volume presents the very best of current thinking in the field and will be indispensable to anyone doing or contemplating work in the area, both for established researchers as well as newcomers, including graduate students. More information: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/707624/description#description

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Inputlog is a logging tool that enables researchers to record the data of a writing session in Microsoft Word; to generate data files for statistical, text, pause and mode analyses; to play the recorded session at different speeds. In this project new functionalities will be added to the program enabling researchers to log input generated by speech recognition software (i.c. Dragon Naturally Speaking, Scansoft) and combine the logging with process data generated by other registration programs (i.c. eye tracking and Morae).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this research project we will focus on the one hand on elements that characterise the writing processes of the speech-recognition mode, classical-dictating mode and keyboard-and-mouse mode, by conducting contrastive experiments between these three modes. On the other hand, we would like to contribute to the fundamental theory building on cognitive writing processes by describing universal cognitive processes raised in our study.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Co-promoter: Braecke Chris
• Co-promoter: Faucompret Eric
• Co-promoter: Haest Reinhilde
• Co-promoter: Jacobs Geert

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In texts on paper, highlights are used to indicate structure or important features of content. In online texts, the function of highlights is different: their purpose is to indicate hyperlinks and to attract the reader's attention. The question is whether this new function of highlights in a text causes a fundamental change in foreign language reading. The present research aims at investigating whether highlighted hyperlinks have an influence on the word acquisition, text comprehension and the underlying cognitive processes that support reading.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk
• Co-promoter: Geerts Walter

Research team(s)

• Management

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

It has been shown that the use of word processors and dictating divices as writing modes influences the organisation of the writing proces in a particular way. In this research project we study the way in which voice recognition as a new writing mode influences the writing process. The research is focused on cognitive changes in writing profiles that are revealed in the planning, formulating and reviewing behaviour of writers producing texts in an organisational context, especially e-mail messages, letters and short reports.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this project 300 items of language advice from the reference book 'Correct Taalgebruik' by W. Penninckx & P. Buyse were incorporated in the 'Taaladviesbank', an electronic language advising database managed by th 'Nederlandse Taalunie' (a Dutch-Flemish cultural organisation). Each piece of language advice was evaluated and rephrased to guarantee an optimal accessability to the one-line database.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Forms constitute the backbone of the interaction between citizens and local government. The project is aimed at increasing forms efficiency through the development of an adequate and useful writing instruction to be used by city employees.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Cuvelier Pol
• Co-promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The research project consists of 3 parts: 1- inventory of problems and the use of secondary sources at language advisory centers; 2-inventory of technical possibilities and constraints of computer language databases; 3-description of detection- and revision strategies of writers

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Waes Luuk

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project