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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Obscure Input Device
dalibal - Feb 14, 2006 - 4:15 pm
I'm a university student running a study. I am supposed to be measuring how strongly people feel about a stimulus they see, by telling them to pull or push on some device proportionally to how they feel. For example, if they feel very strongly, they will pull/push very hard, and if they don't feel very strongly, they will pull/push less. Then, the amount that they pushed/pulled would need to be analyzed.
I need some device like a joystick or lever that they will be able to pull/push, and I need a computer to be able to analyze the relative amounts that it was pulled or pushed. For example, if someone pulled a certain amount at one time and a certain amount at another time, I would need something that could tell me how hard it was pulled at one time relative to another.
Do you know of any device that could be used in the pulling/pushing, and what program the computer would need to run to analyze the results? Do you have any ideas for me?
Thanks!
I need some device like a joystick or lever that they will be able to pull/push, and I need a computer to be able to analyze the relative amounts that it was pulled or pushed. For example, if someone pulled a certain amount at one time and a certain amount at another time, I would need something that could tell me how hard it was pulled at one time relative to another.
Do you know of any device that could be used in the pulling/pushing, and what program the computer would need to run to analyze the results? Do you have any ideas for me?
Thanks!
cybiko123 - Feb 15, 2006 - 8:36 am
A regular joystick could be used. Just make a program in any language with a menu with a long list of choices (they can say anything, and can even be blank). Just have them use the joystick and move down the menu until they feel they've pushed enough. Depending on how many choices they need, you could even use the apple menu and not make a program at all.
dalibal - Feb 15, 2006 - 8:43 am
That's a good idea, but I need it to be automatic and personal, I don't want it to be something they have to think about or it will interfere with the experiment. It needs to be something they can do subconsciously as they're watching a screen.
cybiko123 - Feb 15, 2006 - 12:54 pm
You can install VNC on the computer so you can watch from another room.
dalibal - Feb 15, 2006 - 1:11 pm
Sorry, what's VNC and how would it help if I could watch? How would I be able to measure the ratios and movements?
cybiko123 - Feb 15, 2006 - 1:37 pm
Here's the setup if the scene is not on the computer:
1. You have a mac running under the table, with the joystick on the table.
2. You install VNC (a screen-watching program) onto the mac.
3. You show the scene to the person.
4. He or she moves the joystick, and depending on how far the arrow moves, you measure that amount.
Here's the scene if the scene is on the computer:
1. You have a mac running showing the screen, with the joystick next to it.
2. You install VNC (a screen-watching program) onto the mac.
3. You show the scene to the person.
4. He or she moves the joystick, and depending on how far the arrow moves, you measure that amount.
1. You have a mac running under the table, with the joystick on the table.
2. You install VNC (a screen-watching program) onto the mac.
3. You show the scene to the person.
4. He or she moves the joystick, and depending on how far the arrow moves, you measure that amount.
Here's the scene if the scene is on the computer:
1. You have a mac running showing the screen, with the joystick next to it.
2. You install VNC (a screen-watching program) onto the mac.
3. You show the scene to the person.
4. He or she moves the joystick, and depending on how far the arrow moves, you measure that amount.
dalibal - Feb 15, 2006 - 2:52 pm
That sounds like it might work. I still don't really understand how the information will be stored on the computer. Will it show up as a point on a scale? Will I need to measure it by hand?
Thanks!
Thanks!
cybiko123 - Feb 16, 2006 - 3:06 pm
If you want, you can install a program that gives you the mouose coordinates over a period of time.
cybiko123 - Feb 16, 2006 - 3:08 pm
You could also intall a screen video capture program and then physically measure the change in position with a ruler.
dalibal - Feb 16, 2006 - 3:20 pm
Thank you for your help!
cybiko123 - Feb 16, 2006 - 3:23 pm
No problem. If you have any other questions, feel free to post. And if you don't mind, I'd like you to fill out the feedback form. Thanks!
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