Consequences in standardizing the soundscape data collection process

Abstract

The ISO/TS 12913-2 dealing with data collection and reporting issues in the context of soundscape investigations was published in 2018. This technical specification proposes a range of methods and tools to perform the data collection process according to the current understanding of the soundscape approach. It intends to harmonize the data collection of soundscape studies and to ensure a certain level of comparability between soundscape investigations. In the past the vast majority of soundscape studies applied very different methods and tools limiting the comparability of results and avoiding the performance of meta-analyses. The reason might be the interdisciplinary roots of the soundscape concept asking for diverse disciplinary accesses to the phenomenon challenging the soundscape standardization efforts. Now, the disadvantage of the limited comparability of soundscape results might be overcome due to the publication of the ISO/TS 12913-2. The paper will discuss the expected impact of the technical specification defining the data collection requirements on soundscape research and will highlight the benefits and potential drawbacks in standardizing the holistic soundscape approach.