movedesign
Author: Inês Silva
Date: 2026-05-27

# Why `movedesign`?

`movedesign` is built using R language with Shiny for an easy-to-use user interface (GUI). This application will allow you to test different tracking schedules while considering an initially set research question (currently home range and speed/distance estimation).

- Doesn’t require R coding experience.
- Leverages the `ctmm` R package for statistically unbiased methods.

# How to start:

The application includes a built-in guided tutorial to help you navigate its features. When you open the `'Home'` tab, you’ll find the following:

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the app, ensuring you understand its features and functionality. When an action is required, it will be clearly highlighted. Please follow these instructions carefully, as each step builds on the previous one. If no action is needed, simply continue to the next step by clicking `'Next'` or pressing the right arrow key on your keyboard. The information from the guided tour is also partially available below.

Warning: During the guided tutorial, refrain from interacting with anything outside the highlighted zones to avoid interruptions.

This tutorial provides an overview of key features but does not cover detailed definitions. For more in-depth explanations, you can access comprehensive
help tips at any time. Documentation is also available on Silva et al. (2023).

## Workflows

These are the current options for `movedesign` workflows. Users may configure their study design by selecting different options for data source, research target, and analytical target. All workflows follow a stepwise approach, with tabs displayed sequentially on the right sidebar. Irrelevant tabs for the current workflow will be automatically hidden.

Step 1. Data source:

Users can specify what is their data source:

- `Upload`: Import a dataset from a local file.
- `Select`: Choose from pre-existing datasets available in the application.
- `Simulate`: Generate synthetic data for testing or modeling purposes.

Step 2. Research target:

Users can define their research targets:

- `Home range`: Estimate long-term space-use requirements.
- `Speed & distance`: Estimate fine-scale movement metrics, such as speed and distance traveled.

Step 3. Analytical target:

Users can decide on their analytical target for the estimates:

- `Individual estimate`: Obtain metrics for a single individual.
- `Mean estimate of sampled population`: Obtain a mean estimate across a sampled group.
- `Compare estimates of two sampled groups`: Perform a comparative analysis between two groups within a tracked population (for the detection of sub-groups).

Additionally, users have the option to:

- `Add individual variation`: Include variation among individuals during simulations (only available for mean and estimate comparisons).

Go here for more detailed information regarding the `Individual estimate` workflow.

## Related work

- The ctmm R package and ctmmweb Shiny application.

## References

Silva, I., Fleming, C. H., Noonan, M. J., Fagan, W. F., & Calabrese, J. M. (2023). Movedesign: Shiny r app to evaluate sampling design for animal movement studies. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 14(9), 2216–2225. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14153