Methodological development

Book description: Human-Computer Interaction draws on the fields of computer science, psychology, cognitive science, and organisational and social sciences in order to understand how people use and experience interactive technology. Until now, researchers have been forced to return to the individual subjects to learn about research methods and how to adapt them to the particular challenges of HCI. This is the first book to provide a single resource through which a range of commonly used research methods in HCI are introduced. Chapters are authored by internationally leading HCI researchers who use examples from their own work to illustrate how the methods apply in an HCI context. Each chapter also contains key references to help researchers find out more about each method as it has been used in HCI. Topics covered include experimental design, use of eyetracking, qualitative research methods, cognitive modelling, how to develop new methodologies and writing up your research

Biofeedback's effect on sports performance: a meta-analysis and analysis of moderators

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston UniversitySince the late 1970s, research and applied work has focused on the use of biofeedback as a technique to assist in the development of sports performance through different means, including improvement of sports skills, reduction of injuries, and improvement of muscle strength, among others. However, there is no scientific work statistically comparing these implementations using biofeedback. A meta-analysis was designed towards this gap in the literature; 33 investigations were gathered and statistically compared. Dependent variables, (e.g. the type of biofeedback, and the number of biofeedback sessions) were treated as moderators and their effect on the overall analysis were calculated. A random effect model was used due to the presence of heterogeneity across studies (I^2 = 54.95 (p<0.001, 95% CI), that included variations on the studies' compared outcomes. The meta-analysis' overall result showed a significant effect of biofeedback interventions on sports performance through a strong effect size, d = 0.72, with a high significance Z= 6.77, p<0.001, (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 - 0.93). Significant moderators' effects were found indicating that studies using EMG modality (d= 0.891, 95% CI 0.60 -1.18,p < 0.001, Z= 6.05), studies with the number of sessions higher than 8 (d = 0.84, 95% CI 0.40 -1.27, p<0.001, Z= 3.77), studies targeting outcomes indirectly linked to sports performance (d = 0.91, 95% CI 0.59- 1.22, p<0.001, Z = 5.64), and studies using biofeedback along with other interventions (d = 0.90, 95% CI 0.48 -1.32, p<0.001, Z= 4.18) had higher effect on the overall analysis. The meta-analysis findings are an important reference for researchers and practitioners using biofeedback, because they indicate that biofeedback interventions have a positive effect on sports performance. Moreover, the meta-analysis point to methodological factors playing an important role on interventions using biofeedback, as studies that had a greater effect were those with methods using EMG biofeedback modality, studies with more than eight biofeedback sessions, studies focusing on outcome measures indirectly related to sports performance, and studies that included biofeedback interventions along with other interventions

Current practices in spatial analysis of cancer data: mapping health statistics to inform policymakers and the public

BACKGROUND: To communicate population-based cancer statistics, cancer researchers have a long tradition of presenting data in a spatial representation, or map. Historically, health data were presented in printed atlases in which the map producer selected the content and format. The availability of geographic information systems (GIS) with comprehensive mapping and spatial analysis capability for desktop and Internet mapping has greatly expanded the number of producers and consumers of health maps, including policymakers and the public. Because health maps, particularly ones that show elevated cancer rates, historically have raised public concerns, it is essential that these maps be designed to be accurate, clear, and interpretable for the broad range of users who may view them. This article focuses on designing maps to communicate effectively. It is based on years of research into the use of health maps for communicating among public health researchers. RESULTS: The basics for designing maps that communicate effectively are similar to the basics for any mode of communication. Tasks include deciding on the purpose, knowing the audience and its characteristics, choosing a media suitable for both the purpose and the audience, and finally testing the map design to ensure that it suits the purpose with the intended audience, and communicates accurately and effectively. Special considerations for health maps include ensuring confidentiality and reflecting the uncertainty of small area statistics. Statistical maps need to be based on sound practices and principles developed by the statistical and cartographic communities. CONCLUSION: The biggest challenge is to ensure that maps of health statistics inform without misinforming. Advances in the sciences of cartography, statistics, and visualization of spatial data are constantly expanding the toolkit available to mapmakers to meet this challenge. Asking potential users to answer questions or to talk about what they see is still the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific map design