Showing papers in "Behaviour & Information Technology in 1992"
TL;DR: The results showed for both beginners and experts a statistically significant superiority of GUI of the desktop user interface with ‘mouse’ over the conventionaluser interface with menu selection and function keys (CUI).
Abstract: As advantages and disadvantages of graphical user interfaces are still controversial, this study focuses on an empirical comparison of a desktop interface (GUI) and a conventional user interface with menu selection (CUI). A total of 24 users (six novices and six experts with GUI; six novices and six experts with CUI). were given 20 benchmark tasks. Except for an introduction given by the investigator (1·5 h) the beginners had no or very little previous experience with electronic data processing, while the experts had previous experience of 3,700 h (desktop) or 7,500 h (menu selection), respectively. The results showed for both beginners and experts a statistically significant superiority of GUI of the desktop user interface with ‘mouse’ over the conventional user interface with menu selection and function keys (CUI). The experts in GUI needed 51% less time to complete the tasks averaged across all tasks, as compared to the experts using CUI. Moreover a significant interaction was found between ta...
87 citations
TL;DR: The first phase of a project funded in the UK by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Science and Engineering Research Council (Project I ED 1249) as discussed by the authors describes the first phase and the findings of an exploratory study of the ways in which systems analysts work.
Abstract: The paper describes the first phase of a project funded in the UK by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Science and Engineering Research Council (Project I ED 1249). The paper reviews a number of systems development methods, examines the extent to which they incorporate consideration of a set of relevant human and organizational issues, and describes the findings of an exploratory study of the ways in which systems analysts work, including their use of methods.
82 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that neither screen size nor text layout has a significant influence on the required cognitive effort or on the amount of information acquired and it is suggested that more efficient integration processes in constructing the semantic representation are responsible for this reduction in learning time.
Abstract: This study investigates the effects of screen size (12 inch versus 15 inch) and text layout (well structured and ill structured) on the learning of text presented on the monitor of a personal computer. Two aspects of learning are assessed. A summary and a multiple-choice test are employed to measure the amount of information retained. Efficacy of learning is assessed by learning time and by cognitive effort, as measured by the performance on a secondary task. The results indicate that neither screen size nor text layout has a significant influence on the required cognitive effort or on the amount of information acquired. There is, however, a significant (main) effect of screen size on learning time: subjects using a 15 inch screen need less learning time than subjects using a 12 inch screen, with no difference in learning performance. It is suggested that more efficient integration processes in constructing the semantic representation are responsible for this reduction in learning time. Implicati...
76 citations
TL;DR: It is shown how evaluation data pertaining to an artefact can be used to test and develop the second-order artefact from which it inherits.
Abstract: In this paper, we recruit the construct of psychological design rationale as a framework for integrating theory development with design evaluation in HCI. We propose that, in some cases, part of an artefact's psychological design rationale can be regarded as inherited from second-order artefacts (prescriptive design models, architectures and genres, tools and environments, interface styles). We show how evaluation data pertaining to an artefact can be used to test and develop the second-order artefact from which it inherits.
74 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the demand for videotex-based services and some psychological factors involved in their adoption and concluded that the direct experience of multi-sensory stimulation of store or shopping-mall environments is superior in terms of information quality and quantity to that obtained through teleshopping for many products.
Abstract: Shopping is the acquisition of information that precedes the purchase of goods and services for household or individual consumption. New telecommunications technologies enable individuals to shop and purchase without leaving the home. Teleshopping options put the individual in a choice situation between home-based shopping and store shopping. This involves a trade-off between the costs (in terms of time and money) and benefits of making a trip or of communicating with vendors. Teleshopping serves as a useful case study for examining the demand for videotex-based services and some psychological factors involved in their adoption. Two major factors associated with the benefits of shopping appear to affect that choice. First, the direct experience of multi-sensory stimulation of store or shopping-mall environments is superior in terms of information quality and quantity to that obtained through teleshopping for many products. Thus, teleshopping may not reduce the uncertainty involved in purchasing d...
66 citations
TL;DR: This paper describes a procedural programming-by-example approach to repetitive text editing which allows users to construct programs within a standard editing interface and extend them incrementally.
Abstract: Reformatting blocks of semi-structured information is a common editing task that typically involves highly repetitive action sequences, but ones where exceptional cases arise constantly and must be dealt with as they arise. This paper describes a procedural programming-by-example approach to repetitive text editing which allows users to construct programs within a standard editing interface and extend them incrementally. Following a brief practice period during which they settle on an editing strategy for the task at hand, users commence editing in the normal way. Once the first block of text has been edited, they inform the learning system which constructs a generalized procedure from the actions that have been recorded. The system then attempts to apply the procedure to the next block of text, by predicting editing actions and displaying them for confirmation. If the user accepts a prediction, the action is carried out (and the program may be generalized accordingly); otherwise the user is aske...
28 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an exploratory study was conducted in which interviews were held with 34 older employees in the office, 23 supervisors, personnel managers and representatives of workers, and seven computer trainers.
Abstract: How do older employees cope with technological change at their place of work? To answer this question, an exploratory study was conducted in which interviews were held with 34 older employees in the office, 23 supervisors, personnel managers and representatives of workers, and seven computer trainers. The older employees were classified into three groups depending on their dominant form of appraisal of computers: threat/challenge/irrelevant. While participants who experienced computers as a challenge favoured information-seeking activities, older staff members who felt threatened by computers reacted rather passively and often complained about increasing time-pressure and health-related problems. In contrast, members of the group which appraised computers as irrelevant were quite satisfied with their work and consequently reported hardly any coping behaviour. A further analysis showed that organizational factors were closely connected with the dominant form of appraisal. Therefore recommendations...
27 citations
IBM1
TL;DR: This paper presents results from three experiments which compared gestural, keyboard, and mouse/keyboard interfaces to a spreadsheet program, the first quantitative comparison of these types of interfaces known to the author.
Abstract: This paper presents results from three experiments which compared gestural, keyboard, and mouse/keyboard interfaces to a spreadsheet program. This is the first quantitative comparison of these types of interfaces known to the author. The gestural interface employed gestures (hand-drawn marks such as carets or brackets) for commands, and handwriting as input techniques. In one configuration, the input/output hardware consisted of a transparent digitizing tablet mounted on top of an LCD which allowed the user to interact with the program by writing on the tablet with a stylus. The experiments found that participants were faster with the gestural interface than with the keyboard or mouse/keyboard interface. In addition, subjects tended to prefer the gestural interface over the keyboard interface. Inexperienced mouse users also tended to prefer the gestural interface over the mouse/keyboard interface, although experienced mouse users preferred the mouse. The main difficulties with the gestural interf...
24 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that user participation in systems development can only be properly understood through consideration of the nature of the organizational context, the system and its users, and by analysis of the interactions between these elements.
Abstract: This paper describes a case study of user-participation focusing on the introduction of a new computer-based system in a large UK bank. We use Wall and Lischeron's (1977) characterization of participation as consisting of three interrelated elements (i.e., interaction, information, and influence) and Gowler and Legge's (1978) contextual interpretation exploring user participation as a ‘dependent’ rather than an ‘independent’ variable. The study examines the process of participation using a range of research methods. We argue that user participation in systems development can only be properly understood through consideration of the nature of the organizational context (e.g., structures and processes), the system and its users, and by analysis of the interactions between these elements.
23 citations
TL;DR: Overconfidence in knowledge was demonstrated under all conditions, however, feedback by a computerized system was effective in reducing the overconfidence level.
Abstract: Subjects were tested on general knowledge questions. They had to give their answer to each question and to state their level of confidence in its correctness. This was done under four conditions: by a paper and pencil test with and without feedback; and by computerized testing, again, with and without feedback. All in all, subjects demonstrated overconfidence in their knowledge under all conditions. However, feedback by a computerized system was effective in reducing the overconfidence level. The implications of this finding to the domain of computer-based educational systems is discussed.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the extent to which previous work experience and method of training to use computer systems augment the predictability of the motivation and satisfaction of computer users, and found that type of training and previous experience added little more to the job-holder's job satisfaction and internal work motivation than is predicted by the job characteristics model.
Abstract: This paper examines the extent to which the previous work experience and method of training to use computer systems augment the predictability of the motivation and satisfaction of computer users. A sample of 154 computer users are studied, utilizing a version of the Job Diagnostic Survey questionnaire (Hackman and Oldham 1975). The job characteristics model upon which the questionnaire is based contends that the internal work motivation and general job satisfaction of job holders can be predicted from core job characteristics (task identity, task significance, skill variety, autonomy, and feedback from the job itself)- Results show that type of training and previous experience add little more to the job-holder's job satisfaction and internal work motivation than is predicted by the job characteristics model. The implications of the results for the management and staffing of computer-based systems are noted. Limitations of the data are recognized.
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship between changes in contrast adaptation at five spatial frequencies and workrelated symptoms were studied in an experimental approach with two groups, one working 2h and the other 4h (n = 17).
Abstract: Prolonged VDU work leads to a number of detrimental changes in visual performance and to frequent complaints about asthenopia, musculoskeletal, and other symptoms The relationship between changes in contrast adaptation at five spatial frequencies and workrelated symptoms were studied in an experimental approach with two groups, one working 2 h (n=13) and the other 4 h (n = 17) Both groups showed a significant reduction in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, but there were no significant differences between working two or four hours The relationship between contrast adaptation and symptoms showed a mixed pattern For the 2 h group there was significant positive correlation between symptoms and all spatial frequencies For the 4 h group there were mixed correlations between symptoms and contrast adaptation The results offer only partial support to Lunn and Bank's hypotheses on contrast adaptation, accommodation control and visual fatigue symptoms Contrast adaptation saturates after 1-2 h a
TL;DR: Analysis and problem-solving strategies used by analysts to understand and reuse the analogous specification revealed that painstaking and careful reuse of the specification was a critical determinant of analytic success, although results varied by individual.
Abstract: A study is reported in which 10 expert analysts were requested to reuse a specification to develop a solution for an analogous problem. The study examined analytic and problem-solving strategies used by analysts to understand and reuse the analogous specification. Results revealed that painstaking and careful reuse of the specification was a critical determinant of analytic success, although results varied by individual. However, the reusable specification proved less effective for evaluation of the analyst's solution. Analysts preferred to assimilate and understand the analogy from a narrative describing the underlying reusable domain rather than from the reusable specification, hence knowledge about the problem domain appeared to be more important than solution knowledge in determining the analogy. Strategies employed by expert analysts have implications for didactic and reuse strategies incorporated in an intelligent advisor to assist inexperienced analysts to reuse analogous specifications.
TL;DR: VDU text-editing induces contrast adaptation at the predominant spatial frequencies (periodicity) of the text page, and displays of negative polarity induce stronger contrast adaptation than displays of positive polarity, while at medium spatial frequencies no effect of contrast polarity was observed.
Abstract: VDU text-editing induces contrast adaptation at the predominant spatial frequencies (periodicity) of the text page. Visual contrast sensitivity was tested after 10 and 60 min reading of VDU-displayed text of positive and negative contrast polarity. Contrast sensitivity impairments in-the order of 0-4 to 0-7 log unit change in contrast thresholds were observed. This contrast threshold elevation after-effect decays as a power function of time, with time required to recover from adaptation approximately corresponding to the reading times. At low spatial frequencies (horizontal periodicity of rows), displays of negative polarity induce stronger contrast adaptation than displays of positive polarity, at medium spatial frequencies (vertical periodicity of characters) no effect of contrast polarity was observed. The results are discussed in relation to VDU-induced visual fatique.
TL;DR: Greenbaum and Erlbaum as mentioned in this paper described the design at work: Co-operative design of computer systems as a way of co-designing computer systems with others in the design process.
Abstract: (1992). Design at Work: Co-operative Design of Computer Systems JOAN GREENBAUM and MORTEN KYNO Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, (1991) 294 pp., hardback $49.95, paperback $29.95, ISBN 0-8058-0612-1. Behaviour & Information Technology: Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 184-187.
TL;DR: While speech quality affected performance on the recording task, it was found that task difficulty interacted with speech quality on the other tasks, which means that definable ‘trade-offs’ exis...
Abstract: There has been much research into the feasibility of speech in aircraft cockpits, but little in human supervisory control tasks. Speech displays can provide a number of benefits over conventional, visual displays, particularly as a means of providing alarm information. We discuss the term ‘alarm’, and suggest that different alarm situations will have different information requirements. Thus, a single type of alarm display may not be suitable for the complete range of situations encountered in the control room. We investigated the use of speech for different ‘alarm-initiated actions’: recording, urgency rating, location identification, and action specification. These tasks varied in terms of difficulty, and this affected performance. We also varied the quality of speech, comparing synthesized with human speech. While speech quality affected performance on the recording task, we found that task difficulty interacted with speech quality on the other tasks. This means that definable ‘trade-offs’ exis...
TL;DR: The job design research of the Human Centred Office Systems Project (funded by the SERC/ESRC), which is working with a local government department, draws upon new case-study research involving design groups who have tackled job design using a bottom-up approach.
Abstract: This paper describes the job design research of the Human Centred Office Systems Project (funded by the SERC/ESRC), which is working with a local government department. The originality of the research involves the application of human centred ideas, which have until recently only been used to address the situation of male skilled workers, eitherin British engineering or Scandinavian contexts. Our approach adapts these ideas in relation to the design of women clerical workers’ jobs. Feminist perspectives on women in work are also drawn upon. This approach represents a break with other research on job design within computerization, most of which has been informed by socio-technical theory and human-computer interaction. We draw upon new case-study research involving design groups who have tackled job design using a bottom-up approach. The study involves women clerical workers, both defining their particular skills and how they would wish a new computer system to complement and enhance them. The met...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a model which shows the function of feedback in management information systems and test empirically the potential effect of task-specific feedback on the judgement of the decision-maker.
Abstract: Feedback is an important component of any dynamic system, and should receive attention as a design issue in information systems. The study presents a model which shows the function of feedback in management information systems. The potential effect of task-specific feedback on the judgement of the decision-maker is tested empirically. Both the model and empirical results provide guidance about the role of feedback in information systems design. Empirical results demonstrate that there remains a strong bias towards overconfidence even with feedback. However, the presence of immediate feedback does lower confidence and raise decision quality.
TL;DR: The objective in this exploratory study was to characterize the kinds of learning and transfer that take place in the early stages of using a new programming language and where difficulties develop.
Abstract: Experienced programmers transferring to a new language have a far easier time than the novice learning a first language. However, they still experience considerable difficulties. The objective in this exploratory study was to characterize the kinds of learning and transfer that take place in the early stages of using a new programming language and where difficulties develop. ‘Think-aloud’ protocols were videotaped as subjects went about trying to write a program in a new programming language. Subjects used One of two unfamiliar languages, one similar to their known language (Pascal) and the other dissimilar. Three types of analyses were done on the recorded protocols: a procedural analysis showing the activities the subjects engaged in as they learned the new language, a programming knowledge analysis showing in which areas of program development difficulties were encountered, and a solutions analysis showing how successful the programmers were at using unique features of the new language. We fou...
TL;DR: An overview of the ‘supportive evaluation methodology’, a method of facilitating system development in the health care domain, which involves iterative cycles in which requirements are analysed, designs put forward and prototypes developed.
Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the ‘supportive evaluation methodology’, a method of facilitating system development in the health care domain. Supportive evaluation methodology has a number of defining characteristics. Firstly, it is a formative evaluation whose primary aim is to support and improve the development of a prototype system. Secondly, it is an iterative process providing rapid feedback to designers. Thirdly, ‘human factors’ issues such as functionality, usability, and clinical and social impact are the primary focus of the evaluation. Finally, the evaluation is carried out by a team independent of the designers of the prototype. The complete supportive evaluation methodology involves iterative cycles in which requirements are analysed, designs put forward and prototypes developed. The prototypes are then assessed in order to refine the requirements and designs. A key element in the methodology is the ‘formative assessment workshop’ in which potential users test the systems in sim...
TL;DR: A negative correlation is found to exist between job satisfaction and utilization of the VDU and the following model was found to be statistically significant: Job satisfaction =f(-VDU Usage + Supervisor intervention+ Team membership+ job utility—performance of the task).
Abstract: This study explores the relationship between job salisfaction and the daily usage of visual display units (VDUs). A negative correlation is found to exist between job satisfaction and utilization of the VDU. Workers who have utilized the VDU alone for data entry were more satisfied with their jobs than those workers who had used the key punch for data entry and then switched to the VDU, although they said they preferred the VDU over the key punch. The following model was found to be statistically significant: Job satisfaction =f(-VDU Usage + Supervisor intervention+ Team membership+ job utility—performance of the task)
TL;DR: The process through which a small regional oncology hospital derived information and implementation requirements for an organization-wide information system was described, in response to the recent changes in the UK National Health Service.
Abstract: This paper describes the process through which a small regional oncology hospital derived information and implementation requirements for an organization-wide information system. In part, this was in response to the recent changes in the UK National Health Service. The project was conducted in the action research tradition, combining both practical and theoretical goals, and took a stakeholder perspective. A range of methods were used to explore the issues of information and organizational needs, including questionnaires,interviews, discussion groups and ‘tracer’ studies. As a result of the intervention, a framework of information needs and an implementation strategy were drawn up as a plan for the hospital's continuing work in this area.
TL;DR: An assessment is made which is concerned with human aspects in object-oriented design, particularly, the important role of user's mental models inObject- oriented design, and the relationship between analogical reasoning and software reuse is examined.
Abstract: Object-oriented design has attractive features, but using an object-oriented technique does not necessarily guarantee a good design. In this paper an assessment is made which is concerned with human aspects in object-oriented design. Particularly, the important role of user's mental models in object-oriented design is emphasized. The relationship between analogical reasoning and software reuse is examined. To support the assessment in regard to human aspects, some methodological considerations are outlined, which are further examined through case studies.
TL;DR: The design of a tool for exploratory learners that displays a history of user actions that collapses into verbal descriptions of task accomplishments, derived from a task-action grammar analysis of the interface is described.
Abstract: We motivate and describe the design of a tool for exploratory learners. A task-action trace displays a history of user actions that collapses into verbal descriptions of task accomplishments, derived from a task-action grammar analysis of the interface. Previous tasks, and the actions through which the user achieved them, remain available for browsing; the display of actions shows those that were strictly necessary. We describe the implementation of such a tool for a simulation of the RATES line-diagnosis system. Preliminary empirical evaluation suggests that some users find the trace sufficiently helpful to interact with it repeatedly during the first 4 h of learning.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a framework to identify areas ripe for the implementation of IT to enhance and improve customer service, based upon the examination of the existing service delivery system of an organization and how applications of IT might change the interfaces among the various players (customers, employees, etc.) in the service delivery systems.
Abstract: More and more organizations are seeking innovative ways to use information technology (IT) for strategic advantage. One way to gain this competitive edge is by differentiating the services provided to customers. This paper provides a framework to identify areas ripe for the implementation of IT to enhance and improve customer service. The framework is based upon the examination of the existing service delivery system of an organization and how applications of IT might change the interfaces among the various players (customers, employees, etc.) in the service delivery system. Further, examples are presented to illustrate how some organizations have achieved superior service quality by creatively utilizing simple IT tools.
TL;DR: The design and testing of the system's entry point, navigation aids, and templates for spatial arrangements of information on the screen are discussed and the interface had to be attractive, usable by novices, and flexible enough to carry the content.
Abstract: The University of Toronto hopes to encourage development of a campus-wide information system consisting of many walk-up-and-use components. The first component to be developed was an instructional program for users of the library's online catalogue. The interface had to be attractive, usable by novices, and flexible enough to carry the content. Much effort was expended in ensuring that it met these criteria. User testing played an important role in the design of the interface. The design and testing of the system's entry point, navigation aids, and templates for spatial arrangements of information on the screen are discussed.
TL;DR: A number of personal and organizaton factors other than the strict findings of an ergonomic audit that will influence the take-up of a major software application in a real-life setting are offered.
Abstract: This case study charts the course of the attempts to introduce electronic mail into a large public sector organization. It outlines the main facets and findings of a usability audit. It discusses and interprets the main messages from the evaluation, and offers a number of personal and organizaton factors other than the strict findings of an ergonomic audit that will influence the take-up of a major software application in a real-life setting.
TL;DR: Problem-solving performance with tabular and graphical computer displays was examined as problem type, number progression, and memory capacity were systematically manipulated.
Abstract: Problem-solving performance with tabular and graphical computer displays was examined as problem type, number progression, and memory capacity were systematically manipulated. Participants used tables and line graphs that depicted linear or multilinear number progressions to solve location, interpolation, trend analysis, and forecasting problems. Experiment 1, in which the displayed information was continuously available, indicated that participants' performance for identifying specific values was better with tables than with graphs. For trend analysis and interpolation problems graphs with multilinear data facilitated performance. While the forecasting tasks did not show any systematic effect of the factors. In Experiment 2, the displayed information was not continuously available, participants performed best with the graphical displays for most conditions. These results are discussed in terms of designing computer information displays.
TL;DR: Four environments where multi-agency exists in a real-time environment: flight systems, plant control, telephone networks, and complex office systems are referred to.
Abstract: Much of the current research in HCI is carried out using experimental environments based on word processors, database search, or other conventional office automation. While this approach meets many needs it lacks the power required for investigating many unconventional situations. Complex multi-agent real-time systems are not typically found in offices and cannot easily be investigated in typical word processing or office automation contexts. The paper refers to four environments where multi-agency exists in a real-time environment: flight systems, plant control, telephone networks, and complex office systems. Consideration is given to the requirements of an alternative experimental environment which could allow HCI research to explore a wider range of issues.
TL;DR: This paper reviewed the pertinent literature on the role that cues or symbols play in structuring and processing information in problem and decision making, and showed that they play a crucial role in decision making.
Abstract: This paper reviews the pertinent literature on the role that cues or symbols play in structuring and processing information in problem and decision making