FAQs: I am interested in WOMBAT

Q: WHAT IS WOMBAT?

WOMBAT is an acronym for Work Observation Method By Activity Timing. WOMBAT is a research technique and tool used to collect data when undertaking direct observational time and motion studies.

WOMBAT is comprised of two separate but interlinked components: the WOMBAT App and the WOMBAT Web App.

• The WOMBAT App is the software application that is installed on your iOS device (iPad, iPad mini or iPhone) and enables the collection of data, which is stored on your iOS device until uploaded to the WOMBAT Web App.
• The WOMBAT Web App is a web portal with a unique address that sits on a secure external server. The Web App is where data collection templates are designed, and uploaded study data are securely stored.

Q: WHERE CAN I ACCESS THE WOMBAT APP?

The WOMBAT App is freely available on the App Store for download to iPad or iPhone.

Q: CAN I USE THE WOMBAT APP WITHOUT PURCHASING A WOMBAT LICENCE?

The WOMBAT App includes a Lite Version. In the Lite Version, you can explore WOMBAT data collection using the provided sample study data collection templates. Please note, collected data are not saved to your device in the Lite Version. A licence is required to access the My WOMBAT Studies section of the App where data can be collected and saved. Licenced users are provided with My WOMBAT Sign In credentials, which links the WOMBAT App to a WOMBAT Web App allowing users access to their custom designed data collection templates and uploading of collected data.

Q: HOW MUCH DOES A WOMBAT LICENCE COST?

A 2-year licence is $3,500, and yearly extensions are an additional $1,000 per year. Costs are quoted in Australian dollars and are exclusive of the goods and services tax (GST).

Q: IS THE LICENCE AGREEMENT FOR A SINGLE USER, A GROUP OF RESEARCHERS, OR AN INSTITUTION?

WOMBAT is licensed to an individual researcher for their research project(s). WOMBAT can be used by researchers associated with the licensee’s project(s) to collect data, whether at a single site or multiple sites. However, if these researchers subsequently wish to conduct a new or extended research project, they need to seek their own licence. The initial licensee can use the WOMBAT software for other projects they are involved in for the duration of their licence agreement.

Q: ONCE I PURCHASE A WOMBAT LICENCE, HOW MANY TEAM MEMBERS CAN USE IT?

Once licenced, WOMBAT may be used for multiple projects conducted within the licensee’s research team and can be installed on as many devices as needed.

Q: WHAT DOES A WOMBAT LICENCE INCLUDE?

A WOMBAT licence includes a unique My WOMBAT URL for your WOMBAT Web App. The Web App is used to manage your user accounts and to create study data collection templates for use on the WOMBAT App. Your licence also includes a comprehensive WOMBAT User Manual and a WOMBAT Data Analysis Guide. Technical support is available for the duration of your WOMBAT licence.

Q: IS WOMBAT TRAINING AVAILABLE?

The WOMBAT User Manual provides comprehensive instructions for using the software and we recommend allowing enough time to train your observers prior to commencing data collection. A limited number of instructional videos are available via this website – see section on ‘WOMBAT Videos & Resources’.

Q: HOW DO I PURCHASE WOMBAT?

To purchase a WOMBAT licence, please see the section on ‘How do I obtain a licence?’.

Q: WHAT LANGUAGES DOES WOMBAT SUPPORT?

WOMBAT study data collection templates can be created in any language.

Q: WHAT DEVICES WILL WOMBAT WORK ON AND WHAT ARE THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS?

The WOMBAT App will work on iPads (optimised for iPad mini) and iPhones running iOS 10.0 or higher. The WOMBAT Web App can be accessed from any standard internet browser.

Q: WILL WOMBAT WORK ON ANDROID DEVICES?

WOMBAT 2.0 was designed for Android devices but this version of WOMBAT is no longer available for licencing. WOMBAT 3.0 has now replaced the previous version and is only available on the iOS platform (iPads or iPhones).

Q: HOW SECURE IS WOMBAT?

WOMBAT data is stored on your device (iPad or iPhone) until it is uploaded to the WOMBAT Web App. We suggest using security features such as: (i) uploading data at the end of each data collection session; (ii) logging out of the WOMBAT App at the end of each data collection day; (iii) using a secure password to lock your device; and (iv) not recording any identifying information in WOMBAT free text fields. Once data are uploaded from your device to your unique My WOMBAT Web App, the data are securely stored on an external server.

Aside from researchers you grant access to, only senior technical (IT) staff at Macquarie University will have access to your WOMBAT Web App instance. This access is solely for the purpose of administering the system and providing technical support, if needed. Your data remain private and secure.

Q: WHO DO I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION OR IF I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS?

Please contact the WOMBAT team via email: wombat@mq.edu.au.

Q: ARE THERE ANY PUBLICATIONS WHERE RESEARCHERS HAVE REPORTED USING WOMBAT?

Please refer to the section ‘Is WOMBAT the right tool for me?’ for an extensive list of WOMBAT publications. These publications can assist you in determining if WOMBAT will meet your needs.