Journal
Oct. 9, 2003
I had a meeting today with Mr. Digby Elliott, a kinesiology professor at McMaster University. The following things were discussed:
-use non-dominate hand in experiment so experience is factored out.
-use covariate analysis
-use correlation coefficient
-Pearson R
-developmental literature hand size and catching
-could teach disabled to catch
-investigate how experience caused difference to disappear
-research Quarterly for exercise and sport
-motor behavior
-motor control
Possible Steps to Take:
1. take same population and have them throw with their left hand
-try to teach them to throw more accurately with that left hand.
2. record data in an x and y format (2cm up, 5cm left)
3. continue with professional quarterbacks
Dec. 6, 2003
I checked out the McMaster library on the net to see if there was anything that could help me for my literature review. I wanted to see if similar work had been done along the lines of what I am doing. Unfortunately I didn’t get as much detail as I wanted so I will just have to got to the library myself and take a look around. Some of the questions I need answered could be answered by the librarian so it makes more sense to go down to the library.
Dec. 14, 2003
I came up with a new idea for my project. My football coach at school told me to strengthen my arm with weight training as well as practice throwing so my throw wouldn’t change in a negative way. I could do the same with others that were weight training but who did not throw the ball to see if their throw did change in a negative way.
Dec.27, 2003
Today I read a chapter from a book that I received from Dr. Digby Elliott, called “Measuring Motor Behaviour”. This was about the measure of error dealing with constant error, variable error, total variability, absolute error, and absolute constant error.
Dec. 29, 2003
Today I made a calendar to schedule my time so I can set some dates when I need things done and give me an idea of how much time I have to work with.
Jan. 02, 2004
Today I made notes about what I read about constant error, variable error, total variability, absolute error, and absolute constant error.
Jan. 13, 2004
Today I recruited people for my experiment. I also started to fill out the forms for ISEF.
Jan. 18, 2004
Today I spent 4 hours at the Mills library at McMaster conducting my literature search.
Jan.19, 2004
Today I filled out all my forms so they could be approved by the IRB
Jan. 21, 2004
My forms were approved with certain conditions. They include, only using the gym, only before school starts, and work around the weight room schedule.
Jan. 22, 2004
Today I made a package for my subjects to sign. It included their expectations and release forms.
Jan. 23, 2004
Today I had an announcement on the P.A. system to attract people to the study. I then held a meeting at the end of the day. 3 people came.
Jan. 26, 2004
Today I talked to Mr. DiAngela about booking the gym for throwing practice and testing days. I was able to get Mondays and Wednesdays for the nest six weeks
Feb 4-5, 2004
I was able to contact more people in relation to the study. I handed out some more forms.
Feb. 6, 2004
Today I did my first testing. I did 4 of the 8 people I have. I had to cut down the number of trials from 10 at each distance to 5 at each distance, just for time reasons.
Feb. 9, 2004
Today I did my second day of testing. I did only one person. Unfortuneatly the other two subjects did not show up and either did my other “practice throwing thrower.” Also one of the members in my control group dropped out so I need to find a replacement in the next few days.
Feb.11, 2004
Today I held a throwing practice and tested my control group subject. One of my weightlifting and practice throwing and one control group subject dropped out so I have one person in weightlifting and practice, two people in weightlifting, two people in practice throwing, and one person in the control group. I would have tried to fill these spots but then I would have to test them the following week which may hurt the validity of the project. Human testing is hard because they can drop out at any time.
Feb. 16, 2004.
Another throwing practice was held today in the morning. One of my subjects could not make it because of a doctors appointment. I’ve decided not to replace the subjects that dropped out because I would not meet my deadlines. Also, if I tried to make my deadlines with the new people, I would ruin the validity of the project.
Feb. 18, 2004
Throwing practice was held. Everyone was there.
Feb. 23, 2004
Throwing practice was held. One participant was unable to show up.
Feb. 25, 2004
Throwing practice was held. Everyone was there.
Mar. 1, 2004
Today I tested half of my subjects. Throwing practice was held. Everyone was there. I also entered the data I obtained.
Mar. 3, 2004
Today I tested the other half of my subjects. Throwing practice was held. One participant did not come. I also entered the data I obtained. And analyzed the data using different statistical tests (error).
Mar. 4, 2004
Today I did my backboard for the up coming fair on Saturday. I also am working on my booklet which is almost complete
Mar. 5, 2004
Today I finished off my booklet. I did some final preparations for the fair tomorrow.
Mar. 6, 2004
Today I went to the board fair. It was a one day event which I will use as a dry run to practice for BASEF.
Mar. 8, 2004
Today I began week 5 with throwing practice. One subject did not come because he had a late night and did not get home from his activity until 1 or 2 in the morning
Mar. 10, 2004
Throwing practice was held with the absence of one participant who had to prepare for a trip.
Mar 18, 2004
Throwing practice was held but it was outside. One subject was not home and did not come.
Mar. 21, 2004
Throwing practice was held outside again. It was very windy and cold. One subject was bed ridden because he was sick and was unable to attend.
Mar. 22, 2004
Today I tested 2 subjects. Also one person in the weight training group did not get 2 work outs in during the march break so he will make them up this week and will be tested on Friday.
Mar. 24, 2004
Today I tested two more subjects. The one subject in the “practice throwing” group made up on practice today. He will also make up one missed practice tomorrow.
Mar. 25, 2004
Today one subject had to make up the practice he missed during the March break but was unable to attend because of a prior commitment. He will still be tested on Friday.
Mar. 26, 2004
Today I tested my last two subjects.
Mar. 27, 2004
Today I finished my data entry and decided to use the statistical test of Two-Way Analysis of Variance (Two-Way ANOVA). This allows me to test “two variables simultaneously.” In my case, it would be the subject and the average distance from the centre at the beginning of the test and after 6 weeks.
Mar. 28, 2004
Today I finished analyzing my data and started to work on the content of my booklet.
Mar. 29, 2004
With the fair in only 3 days it will be tough, but do able, to finish. I continued to work on the content of my booklet
Mar. 30, 2004
Today I finished my booklet. I also worked on the backboard which I still may need to worked on before set up tomorrow. I will also be reviewing my statistics that I will need to explain on judging day.
Mar. 31, 2004
Today I finished my backboard before set up. I also reviewed my statistics.
Apr. 1-May 8, 2004
Construction of website