Studyflows
Studyflows are formal diagrams based on BPMN to describe research workflows. They can be used to visually describe the study protocol, data collection, analysis pipeline, or any other steps in a study. Studyflows facilitate communication with participants (e.g., by automatically running a study), researchers (e.g., by reproducible protocols and analyses), systems (e.g., by automated data processing), and other stakeholders.
Here is an example of a simple studyflow:
Although studyflows are visual, the underlying storage format is XML (just like BPMN). This allows studyflows to be easily shared, version-controlled, and processed by machines. Studyflows can be created and executed using diagramming tools such as Studyflow Modeler.
Basic elements
Each Studyflow is a BPMN diagram with additional elements specific to research workflows in cognitive sciences.
Experimental design
The following elements can be used to describe the experimental design and data collection.
bpmn:StartEvent- A starting node where the workflow is initiated. There must be only one start node in a study.
studyflow:Activity-
A generic task (
bpmn:Task) that can be performed by human or computer agents. studyflow:Questionnaire- When participants are instructed to answer a questionnaire.
studyflow:Instruction- When participant are instructed to read some instructions.
studyflow:CognitiveTest- A computerized program where participants perform a cognitive task.
studyflow:VideoGame- A computer game in which participants play a video game.
bpmn:EndEvent- An ending node that marks where the workflow completes.
For a complete list of supported elements and their attributes, see the Studyflow ontology.
Data and analysis pipeline
The following elements can be used to describe the collected data and the modeling pipeline.
bpmn:StartEvent- initiates the analysis pipeline.
bpmn:EndEvent- terminates the analysis pipeline.