THE EFFECT OF NUMBER OF DIALS ON QUALITATIVE READING OF A MULTIPLE DIAL PANEL

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted on the time required to make qualitative readings of a panel of dials. The results indicate that reading time is approximately a linear function of the number of dials on the panel. The slope of the line is about 18 times greater when pointers are not aligned than when they are aligned at the 9 o'clock position. For aligned pointers, time increases directly with the distance of the misaligned pointer from the fixation point, either vertical or horizontal. When pointers are not aligned, time bears no regular relation to horizontal distance from fixation point, but increases regularly from top to bottom of panel. It is hypothesized that quantitative differences between performance under the 2 conditions are due to qualitative differences in the manner of scanning the panel. Large practice effects which were observed may be due in part to the expansion of the visual form-field.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1952
Accession Number
AD0006532

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  • Virginia L. Senders

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  • Antioch College

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