Title: Qualitative Methods for Biometrics Research: Exploring User Behavior and System Design
Speaker: Dr. Tempestt Neal, University of South Florida
When: November 14, 2024 at 1:00 pm ET (7:00 pm CEST, 10:00 am PST)
Where: Online (Zoom)
Recording of the Webinar
Abstract
Qualitative research is a method of inquiry aimed at gaining a deep understanding of social phenomena by relying on individuals’ direct experiences. Unlike quantitative research, which seeks to quantify variables and analyze numerical data, qualitative research emphasizes the exploration of complex, subjective experiences, meanings, and social dynamics. Qualitative exploration can greatly enhance the field of biometrics by offering deep insights into complex issues like bias in biometric systems and user acceptability. These methods allow for a more detailed understanding of how these systems are perceived and experienced, which is crucial for addressing ethical concerns and improving overall effectiveness. This webinar aims to provide biometrics researchers with a foundational understanding of qualitative research methods and their applicability to the field.
About The Speaker
Dr. Tempestt Neal is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of South Florida. She leads the Cyber Identity and Behavior Research (CIBeR) Lab, which primarily conducts quantitative and qualitative research on mobile-based sensing for biometrics and human behavior understanding in interdisplinary applications, as well as cybersecurity awareness among populations historically underrepresented in Science and Engineering. The lab’s research also spans natural language processing, mostly including the
study of linguistic cues as a cognitive biometric trait, as well as implicit opinion mining tasks.Tempestt holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida (2018), M.S. from Clemson University (2014), and B.S. from South Carolina State University (2012). Dr. Neal has served as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Biometrics Council Newsletter and Guest Editor for the MDPI Electronics Special Issue on Recent Advances in
Biometric Security in IoT Based on Machine Learning. She has also served on the organizing committee for several workshops in AI and Biometrics. She was a recipient of the University of Florida Delores Auzenne Dissertation Award and National Science Foundation CyberCorps Scholarship for Service Fellowship. She was also recognized as 2021/22 McKnight Junior Faculty Fellow, and received NSF CAREER Award in 2023.
