Browsing by Author "Acun, Volkan"
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Item Open Access An approach based on sound classification to predict soundscape perception through machine learning(Bilkent University, 2021-06) Acun, VolkanA growing amount of literature and a series of ISO standards focus on concept, data collection, and data analysis methods of soundscapes. Yet, this field of research still lacks predictive models. We hypothesize that machine learning methods can be used to develop a predictive model by identifying the audio content of soundscapes and correlating it with individuals’ perceived affective response to the soundscapes. Therefore, this research aims to identify machine learning-based sound classification methods for analyzing the audio content of soundscapes and using its output in a second model for evaluating the association between the audio content and perception of the soundscape. We focused on museum soundscapes to conduct our research. The methodology of this thesis is divided into two parts. For the first part, we used Convolutional Neural Networks for classifying the audio content of the soundscape. Due to their limitations, we used a different approach rather than the typical environmental sound classification methods. We used musical instruments for the training dataset and optimized the neural network for this type of task. The convolutional neural network classified the audio content of the soundscapes based on their similarities to the musical instruments of the dataset. We conducted an online soundscape perception survey to measure participants' affective responses to different museum soundscapes for the second part. To predict individuals’ perception of soundscapes, we developed a feedforward neural network model. This model used the audio content output from the sound classification model and the soundscape survey data to predict the perceived affective quality of soundscapes. We concluded the thesis by conducting statistical analyses to explore the association between the variable used in the predictive model.Item Open Access Combining Grounded Theory (GT) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to analyze indoor soundscape in historical spaces(Elsevier, 2019) Acun, Volkan; Yılmazer, SemihaThis paper reports the findings of indoor soundscape research that was conducted in a historical museum setting. The study took place in the historic caravanserai of Cengelhan, which is currently a part of the Rahmi Koc Museum. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to capture visitors’ subjective museum experience and understand the role of the sound environment. In this sense, the research is divided into two parts: Grounded Theory (GT) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). For the qualitative part, semi-structured interviews were held as part of GT, to create a conceptual framework that reflects visitors’ perception of the indoor soundscape of the museum. Hypotheses were derived from this conceptual framework based on the patterns between the categories of the conceptual model. In the second part, this model was tested for statistical significance and path correlations through the SEM method. The core categories of the conceptual framework are similar to the previous research, mainly the categories of Context, Interpretation, and Outcomes. The SEM analysis showed that categories of Expectation and Preference were not significantly associated with the Built or Sound Environment. Findings showed that a positive interpretation of the sound environment could create a livable environment with a unique atmosphere which would increase visitors’ interaction with the museum and positively affect their experience.Item Open Access A comparative study on prediction of the indoor soundscape in museums via machine learning(Institute of Noise Control Engineering(INCE), 2019-06) Yılmazer, Semiha; Yılmazer, Cengiz; Acun, VolkanThis paper presents the preliminary findings of a soundscape research, which uses machine learning to make a prediction about human perception for indoor auditory environments. Museums of Çengelhan Rahmi Koc and Erim Tan are selected as the case study settings for data collection. The survey questionnaire basically consisted of three parts which are concerned with identifying the socio-cultural status, the personal tendencies, and evaluation of the physical and auditory environment. Before constructing of grounding the predictive model, data went through analyses to normalize and to eliminate the irrelevant items. Preliminary findings demonstrated how an indoor auditory environment would be perceived based on the individuals’ socio-cultural status, tendencies, preference and expectation from the space and physical elements of the space with together constructing a preliminary grounding model to use Machine / Deep learning algorithm.Item Open Access A grounded theory approach to assess indoor soundscape in historic religious spaces of Anatolian culture: A case study on Hacı Bayram Mosque(SAGE Publications, 2018) Yılmazer, Semiha; Acun, VolkanThis study presents a research that is concerned with the indoor soundscape in historical mosque. Hacı Bayram Mosque and its surroundings area of Hamamönü has been selected as the research site due to being the historical centre of Ankara. Although there are studies concerned with the acoustical characteristics of mosques, there is not enough research focusing on user’s expectation and interpretation of the indoor soundscape within a historical space. This study adopts the user-focused grounded theory to capture individuals’ auditory sensation and interpretation of the indoor soundscape within a historical mosque. In-depth interviews are held with congregation of the mosque and with the individuals sitting around the surrounding area. Based on their subjective responses, a theoretical framework is generated to gain an insight on the factors that affect individuals understanding and expectation from mosques. The conceptual framework generated through grounded theory shows how indoor soundscape may influence their individuals’ response to the physical environment of the mosque showing the association between the soundscape elements, spatial function and place identity.Item Open Access A grounded theory approach to investigate the perceived soundscape of open-plan offices(Elsevier, 2018) Acun, Volkan; Yılmazer, SemihaThis paper presents the findings of a user focused soundscape survey, that took place in a visual task based and a computational task based open-plan office spaces. Aim of this study was to conduct a grounded theory survey which captures individuals’ subjective response to the soundscape and creating a conceptual framework in the end. In order to achieve this goal, acoustical environment and sound sources were identified. In-situ measurements of sound levels (LAeq) and simulations, prepared by Odeon Room Acoustics Software 13.10 Combined, were used to explore the acoustical environment of the office spaces. Grounded Theory was used as the main research method to create a conceptual soundscape framework, and to reveal employees perception of the soundscape of their work environment. As part of grounded theory, semi-structured interviews were conducted with forty-nine employees from both types of offices. The results showed how the task at hand were affected by the sound environment and employees’ characteristics. Sound that were not expected or out of context and those that interfere with the concentration demanding tasks caused a negative interpretation of the soundscape. Due to this, employees’ adopted coping methods such as, accepting and habituating, intervening to the sound source, or putting on headphones to isolate themselves from the soundscape. It was discovered during the interviews that employees were concerned with silence as much as they were concerned with the noise. Employees expressed that the sound of keyboard and mouse means that they are working at that moment, there are other people around, and they are not working alone, or not working overtime.Item Open Access Identification of individuals' emotional response to the indoor soundscape in public study areas via semantic differentiation(Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 2017) Acun, Volkan; Yilmazer, SemihaAims of this research is to identify individuals' emotional response to the sound environment of public study areas. The research has taken place in the public study areas of Bilkent University Campus. These study areas are located at the Dormitories, the Fine Arts Buildings, the library, and the Faculty of Science. In order to explore individuals' response to the auditory environment, a questionnaire survey and in-situ measurement of sound levels (LAeq) have been conducted. Questionnaire survey consisted of two main parts. In first part students have identified the sound source, how often they hear each one, and their satisfaction with the sound environment. Second part consisted of twelve seven point semantic differential scales (SD). Semantic scales were chosen in order to identify individuals' emotional response to the soundscape. Questionnaire survey are held with 30 student from each public study area, 120 students in total. The data gathered from the questionnaire survey are analysed using IBM SPSS 21 Statistics Software. Factor analysis was used to identify the perceptual dimensions of soundscape. Three factors were identify as a result of the analysis, which are, well-being, activity/communication and functionality. Even though the ANOVA F-Test found no statistically significant difference between the study areas in terms of satisfaction with the soundscapes, each areas has sound environment characteristics.Item Open Access Investigating the effect of indoor soundscaping towards employees’ mood and perception in open plan offices(Bilkent University, 2015-08) Acun, VolkanOver the past decade, soundscape studies have proposed ways to differentiate sonic environments and showed that it is not always the sound levels that matters. Meanings associated with sound sources, how they are perceived by the listener and the physical settings are equally important. On the other hand, very few studies are conducted to examine whether these principles of soundscape can be applied to indoor spaces. Aim of this research is to identify sound sources within an open office space, understand how employees’ perceive these sound sources, explore its impact on their mood and task performance. In order to achieve this goal, measurements and interviews are conducted at two different open planed offices. A user focused, subjective, approach of Grounded Theory, is used to capture the lived experience of an open plan office space and examine the effects of indoor soundscape quality towards employees’ perception of their work environment. PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) test is conducted to explore employees’ mood. In order to understand the acoustical conditions of case study settings, in-situ measurements of sound levels (Leq), ODEON simulation of Speech Transmission Index (STI) and Reverberation Time (T 30) is used. Semi-structured interviews, as part of Grounded Theory, and PANAS test are conducted with 47 employees. Their responses are used to generate a conceptual framework which conceptualizes employees’ subjective response to the soundscape of their work environment. Generated conceptual framework showed patterns between employees' perception of sound sources, sound preference and type of work they are performing as well as the association between positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA) and soundscape.Item Open Access Investigating the effect of indoor soundscaping towards employee’s speech privacy(DC/ConfOrg, 2020) Acun, Volkan; Yılmazer, SemihaThis paper presents the emerging results of a soundscape evaluation of a two open office spaces. Aims of this research is to identify sound sources within an open office space and understand if their contributions to employees speech privacy. Thematic Analysis as part of Grounded Theory is used to examine how employees perceive the soundscape of their work environment. Semi- structured interviews are conducted with 20 employees from two companies. Responses are used to create a theoretical framework that conceptualizes employee’s response to the soundscape of their work environment. In order to analyze the acoustical characteristics of the office space, a combination of in-situ measurements and Odeon Room Acoustics Software are used.Item Open Access A qualitative approach to investigate indoor soundscape of the built environment(Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 2018) Yılmazer, Semiha; Acun, VolkanSoundscape approach takes advantage of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. So far, there have been five main research tools to collect and analyze data. Quantitative ones are consisted of, questionnaire surveys, psychoacoustic measurements and semantic differential scales, while the qualitative ones are observation protocol and interviews. Qualitative methods are mostly used in order to describe and explore the relevant aspects of soundscape especially when there is limited knowledge. Indoor soundscape research has implemented the qualitative approach of Grounded Theory (GT) to identify and define the sound environment. GT is a less frequently used but a more user-centered method that can systematically analyze individual's subjective perception of the soundscape in the built environment. This paper presents the way of Grounded Theory (GT) applications and findings of indoor soundscape researches conducted by the authors which took place in four different indoor spaces: Museum, Historical religious space, High school environment and Open-plan office. The results indicate that core categories of the framework, such as the context of sound, are similar with others, while some categories are different, possibly due to the function of the indoor space.Item Open Access Understanding the indoor soundscape of study areas in terms of users' satisfaction, coping methods and perceptual dimensions(Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 2018) Acun, Volkan; Yılmazer, SemihaThe soundscape approach is not concerned with the sound level of an acoustic environment, but how it relates to human perception, how it is conceived by the individual and how it should be measured and managed. Even though it reached wide popularity in the last 15 years, it still lacks standardization. Perceptual dimensions of the indoor soundscape have major contributions to the experience of place. Identifying the relations between the sound and build environment can provide valuable information for the decision-makers to promote sensation, satisfaction and positive emotions. This research focuses on the sound environments of 4 open study areas within the Bilkent University Campus. These spaces have been favored by many students due to their ability to combine learning and social identity, in an informal but also an academic environment. This informality also resulted in with the lack of controlled sound environment which can be found in the silent study zone of the library. For this reason, this article examines the soundscape of the open study areas in terms of sound sources, users' reactions, coping methods and perceptual dimensions. Research settings are located at the dormitories, the Fine Arts Building, the library, and the Faculty of Science Building. In order to explore users' response to the sound environment, a questionnaire survey and in-situ measurement of sound levels (LAeq) have been conducted with 120 students. The questionnaire survey consisted of two main parts which were concerned with identifying sound source, satisfaction, loudness and exploring the perceptual dimensions of the indoor soundscape through semantic differential scales. Results showed no difference between participants' satisfaction with the soundscape regardless of the sound levels. Perceptual dimensions of the indoor soundscape are analyzed with factor analysis which extracted three factors, sensation, activity/communication, and functionality.Item Open Access Using audio content and emotional response to predict soundscape perception through machine learning(Acoustical Soc Amer Amer Inst Physics, 2023-03) Yılmazer, Semiha; Acun, Volkan