[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 1. I have got this crazy idea that maybe it would be possible
> to diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in kids
> using a graphical task and analysing the mouse movements on
> the sly. [snip] Any ideas out there to make it as level a playing
> field as possible for all users (on either platform)?
Control groups.
You get a group of children who you know don't have ADHD and get them to
do the same tests, then whatever mouse movements they make need to be
allowed for in your test subjects.
Ideally, you need sets of control subjects, matched by age and computer
experience. As a general rule, a person who is comfortable with the
computer will make smoother movements, while inexperienced users tend to
hesitate, overshoot the target, and waste a lot of motion while mousing
around.
Although, very experienced users may also waste a lot of movement,
simply because they're more comfortable with the mouse and so aren't
afraid to move it around a lot. I often catch myself just mousing around
with no specific task in mind. I guess you'll need to do the experiment
and see for yourself if the hypothesis is correct.
And you'll also need to calibrate the tests depending on the exact
hardware. I suggest, instead of allowing for some theoretical "mouse
sensitivity", that you allow for a calibration step, where the
experimenter (who presumably is ADHD-free and confident at using the
mouse) does a series of tests herself in order to detect any bias caused
by the hardware.
> Or is this crazy idea a non starter?
Its definately a starter. Whether its a finisher is another story, but
all good scientific ideas need to be tested to seperate the "sounds good
in theory" from the "its really worthwhile".
Go for it!
--
Steven D'Aprano
==========================================
M.B. Sales Pty Ltd Ph: +61 3 9460-5244
A.C.N. 005-964-796 Fax: +61 3 9462-1161
Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/metacard%40lists.best.com/
Info: http://www.xworlds.com/metacard/mailinglist.htm
Please send bug reports to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, not this list.
