Tool Demo at ICA 25: Ongoing quality assurance with Passive Data Kit (PDK)
BRIC will present a demonstration of Passive Data Kit (PDK), a framework for ongoing quality assurance for computational data collection, at the International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Denver, CO, USA, June 12-16, 2025.
BRIC Co-Founders Chris Karr and Ericka Menchen-Trevino will present a demonstration of Passive Data Kit (PDK), a framework for ongoing quality assurance for computational data collection, at the International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Denver, CO, USA, June 12-16, 2025.
Passive Data Kit (PDK) is an open-source framework for building robust observational research tools across multiple platforms. As researchers increasingly rely on computational methods to collect behavioral data, ensuring quality and continuity throughout a study has become a critical challenge. PDK addresses the inevitable "entropy" in digital data collection—from system changes and API restrictions to device-specific factors that can disrupt your research pipeline.
Our presentation will showcase:
- PDK's store-and-forward architecture prevents data loss during poor connectivity
- Tools for real-time data quality monitoring with customizable alerts
- Solutions for overcoming power management battles with device manufacturers
- Recent improvements, including Docker containers and modular components
We'll share examples from published studies across mobile apps, browser extensions, and data donation websites, highlighting how PDK has solved real-world challenges in mental health research, web browsing studies, and social media data collection.
Join us to learn how PDK can help your research projects avoid common pitfalls and ensure reliable data collection, even in challenging conditions.
See the International Communication Association Conference website for details.
