Define the center explicitly
RodentMetrics defines a centered rectangular zone as configurable fractions of the calibrated arena width and height. The remaining area is periphery. Report those fractions or resulting dimensions.
Time and occupancy
Center time is the duration of valid tracked samples classified inside the configured center. Periphery time uses valid samples outside it. Tracking gaps can reduce classified time and should be reviewed.
Entries and visits
An entry occurs when the tracked state changes from outside to inside. A minimum visit duration can exclude brief boundary crossings from visit summaries. Boundary noise can otherwise inflate counts.
Interpretation limits
Center avoidance is sometimes used in open field research, but it is not a direct measurement of anxiety. Locomotor capacity, habituation, arena geometry, lighting and protocol differences can alter occupancy.
Reporting checklist
Report arena dimensions, center dimensions, test duration, illumination, tracking coverage, minimum visit duration and how boundary samples were classified.
This guide describes measurement concepts and the current RodentMetrics workflow. It is not a universal protocol, clinical guidance or evidence that a single metric represents a psychological state.