Overview
ISO/TS 12913-3:2019, "Acoustics - Soundscape - Part 3: Data analysis" (ISO), specifies requirements and guidance for analysing in‑situ soundscape data collected according to ISO/TS 12913-2. The technical specification focuses on integrating perceptual (human) data, acoustic measurements and contextual information to produce robust, reproducible soundscape analyses.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and approach
- Analysis applies to data gathered using the methods in ISO/TS 12913-2 and follows the conceptual framework in ISO 12913-1.
- Emphasises a holistic soundscape approach: perception first, physical measurement second.
- Quantitative data
- Analyse questionnaire data according to measurement level (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio).
- Report chosen statistics and tests (measures of central tendency/dispersion, correlation, inferential tests); verify model assumptions (e.g., normality) and document remedial steps when necessary.
- Example: Method A category scales are ordinal (5‑point) - assign numeric values per the specification and report medians and ranges.
- Qualitative data
- Transcribe interviews (clean read, verbatim, or strict verbatim as appropriate) and analyse using established methods: Grounded Theory, Qualitative Content Analysis, Social Network Analysis, etc.
- Document transcription style, coding method and any exclusion of biased or ethically problematic data.
- Binaural recordings and psychoacoustics
- Equalize binaural recordings as required by ISO/TS 12913-2 before analysis.
- Compute psychoacoustic and acoustic metrics (examples referenced include Aeq, percentile levels, loudness, sharpness, IACC) and relate them to perceptual assessments; support mapping and classification when position data are available.
- Triangulation and confounders
- Use triangulation (people, context, acoustic environment) to increase validity by cross‑verifying results from multiple methods.
- Identify and discuss potential confounders (sequential effects, range effects, demand characteristics) in reporting.
- Reporting
- Fully report methods, metrics, statistical choices and coding procedures to ensure transparency and reproducibility.
Applications and users
- Who uses it: acoustic consultants, urban planners, environmental health professionals, researchers in acoustics, soundscape designers, and local authorities.
- Practical uses: evaluating urban and natural sound environments, informing noise‑mitigation and placemaking interventions, classifying sites by soundscape, validating perceptual outcomes against acoustic metrics, and supporting policy or design decisions.
Related standards
- ISO 12913-1: Definition and conceptual framework (normative background)
- ISO/TS 12913-2: Data collection and reporting requirements (directly referenced for in‑situ data)
Keywords: ISO/TS 12913-3:2019, soundscape data analysis, acoustics, binaural recordings, qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, triangulation, psychoacoustic metrics.