Self-Adjusting Visual Analog Scale for Unbiased Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The implementation of visual analog scales (VAS) on computing devices introduces challenges due to varying screen sizes and aspect ratios, leading to potential scoring bias as existing methods often adjust the number of pixels per interval, resulting in unequal intervals and biased scoring.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for displaying a non-biasing, self-adjusting visual analog scale on computing devices, which includes a screen dimension detection module and a visual analog scale display module to generate equal intervals of distance, ensuring consistent scoring across different screen sizes and aspect ratios by calculating the length of each interval based on available pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length VAS is displayed on computing devices with varying screen sizes, then the VAS can be displayed on all devices, but the intervals become unequal in pixel length resulting in scoring bias
Solution Approach 1:
The VAS implementation transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic adaptive design that automatically adjusts its pixel dimensions based on the available screen space. The system calculates the optimal VAS length and interval sizes dynamically according to the device's screen characteristics, ensuring both universal compatibility and measurement precision across different computing devices.
2Ease of operation
If the VAS length is adjusted to fit different screen sizes, then the VAS can be displayed on various devices, but the number of pixels per interval varies causing biased scoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of the VAS display (length, interval size, pixel allocation) based on the detected screen dimensions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters while maintaining the mathematical relationship that ensures equal probability selection for each interval, the system achieves both display adaptability and scoring accuracy across different devices.
3Manufacturing precision
If equally sized intervals are maintained on all devices, then unbiased scoring is achieved, but the VAS may not fit on smaller screens
Solution Approach 1:
The VAS system achieves universal compatibility across different screen sizes while maintaining the critical property of equal intervals. The implementation uses responsive design techniques to scale the VAS appropriately on each device, ensuring that the fundamental measurement property (equal probability for each score) is preserved regardless of the display dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for displaying a non-biasing VAS that automatically adjusts to different screen aspect ratios/resolutions of a computing device, while preserving the reliability of the VAS. The system and method can calculate a number of pixels available on a screen display to display a VAS. Further, the system and method can generate a VAS comprising equally sized intervals of distance to fit the available screen display. In addition, the system and method can include an anchor line at each end of the VAS that indicates an upper and lower value of a range of values measured by the VAS. The system and method can also include a unit cursor on the VAS that allows a subject to indicate, by pixel, interval or target area, a position on the VAS.