In 2012 the Research Group TOR received financial support from the HERCULES-foundation (Flemish Government) to translate the traditional paper-and-pencil diary method to an online method. The software that was developed in the end is called MOTUS (Modular Online Time Use Survey) and combines two research methods: survey research (opinion) and time diary research (behaviour).
The software is CSM-build in order to be adjusted to different research questions from different disciplines. In particular, the MOTUS-software makes it possible to modulate every element of the time-diary methodology so that depending of the research of interest certain behaviour or habits can be mapped more in detail and more in-depth questions can be posed once the activity of interest is being registered by the respondent. This way the software makes it possible to really contextualize behaviour and this as close as possible to the actual moment the activity took place.
Besides this, the software makes it possible to fully automate the construction and follow-up of the fieldwork. These qualities serve both longitudinal and panel research.
Additionally it is possible to design and execute multiple researches at the same moment, while the duration of the research is open.
Furthermore the software is available for different devices and operating systems.
The access is open to third parties in the context of a research project in collaboration with the Research Group TOR of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. In the near future also commercial and market driven questions/assignments can be answered, but through a Spin-Off (SME) called h:bits.