Project Chronoscape
| Project Type | Social Anthropological & Historical Research |
| Initiated | 1720 AN |
| Collaborating Institutions | |
| Project Lead |
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| Volunteer Observers | Over 82,000 nationwide |
| Region(s) Covered |  All Regions of Nouvelle Alexandrie
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| Data Collection Methods |
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Project Chronoscape is a rigorous and comprehensive social research project initiated in 1720 AN. A collaborative endeavor led by the University of Lausanne, the Royal University of Parap, and the CDESR-NAX, the project aims to document an anthropological, sociological, and historical account of everyday life across all regions of Nouvelle Alexandrie.
Overview
Launched to create a multi-faceted record of contemporary life, Project Chronoscape employs a network of more than 82,000 trained volunteer observers strategically located across each Region of Nouvelle Alexandrie. The project is directed by a triumvirate of academics: Dr. Solène Dufresne (University of Lausanne), Dr. Amaru Quispe (Royal University of Parap), and Dr. Felipe González (CDESR-NAX).
Objectives
The objectives are twofold:
- To capture an authentic snapshot of various social, political, and cultural phenomena as they unfold.
- To preserve local narratives and oral traditions, particularly of diaspora communities like the Wechua, Wakara, Caputians, Alexandrians, and others.
Methodology
Project Chronoscape employs a meticulous methodology divided into several phases:
Recruitment
Volunteers are selected via a rigorous application and training program. This program includes courses in ethics, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and effective communication techniques. Specialized training is also provided for capturing oral traditions and folklore.
Data Collection
Observers employ a blend of traditional and modern qualitative research methods:
- Diaries: Detailed daily or weekly logs, often segmented by themes like community events, political happenings, and religious ceremonies.
- Open-Ended Questionnaires: Circulated bimonthly, these questionnaires explore evolving attitudes towards political governance, religion, and socio-economic conditions.
- Audio/Video Recordings: Not merely limited to diaries, these recordings include documentation of events, public dialogues, and natural interactions within communities.
- Interviews: Semi-structured, allowing for deep dives into key issues identified by the local population.
- Oral Tradition Recordings: Special sub-groups of volunteers capture folklore, myths, and communal histories from elder community members.
- Ethnographic Fieldwork: Observers participate in and record specific rituals, traditions, and practices in situ.
Data Repository
All data are collated in a centralized database equipped with robust data analytics tools. This facilitates cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses across various metrics.
Corporate Partnerships
Recognizing the significance of data integrity and security in large-scale social research, Project Chronoscape has established pro-bono partnerships with two leading Nouvelle Alexandrie-based companies: Sarbanes-Lopez CyberSecurity and the Phillips-Riehl Company.
Sarbanes-Lopez CyberSecurity provides industry-grade encryption services to protect the sensitive data collected from the volunteer observers. The company has tailored a data verification framework to ensure that information integrity is upheld at every stage of collection, storage, and analysis. Their security protocols also include multi-factor authentication and advanced firewall protections to shield the data repository from unauthorized access and potential cyber threats.
The collaboration with Phillips-Riehl Company concentrates on analytical tools and software solutions. The firm provides access to state-of-the-art analytical software equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. These tools enable the Project Chronoscape team to conduct complex data analysis, including pattern recognition and predictive modeling. The software also supports textual and sentiment analysis, which is critical for interpreting open-ended questionnaires and oral tradition recordings.
Both corporate partners adhere to stringent ethical guidelines and work closely with the research team to ensure that the project’s objectives are met without compromising the confidentiality or integrity of the data. The partnership agreements include thorough third-party audits to assess compliance with data privacy regulations and research ethics.
Findings
As of 1724 AN, the project has generated approximately 1.2 million individual reports, audio files, and video recordings. While the final, comprehensive report is expected in 1725 AN, initial findings are shared on a bi-annual basis with policymakers, academic institutions, and cultural organizations.
Impact
The work has already had a tangible effect on social policy formulation, as government agencies utilize the database to tailor community-specific initiatives. Furthermore, artists and scholars alike have drawn from the project's wealth of oral traditions and social observations, enriching the country’s cultural landscape.
