A STUDY OF THREE METHODS OF DECODING,
Abstract
One experiment was conducted to compare three different methods of decoding binary digits. The message consisted of the eight letters A - H encoded in a Huffmantype instantaneous compact code; the redundancy of the message was approximately 8%. The binary digits were either presented sequentially (self-paced) and decoded with telegraph keys or the method of whole presentation was employed with either verbal or written readout. Decoding with the keys was both slower and less accurate than the other two methods; verbal decoding was faster (through no less accurate) than written decoding. It was suggested that decoding time can be subdivided into three components: processing time, reaction time, and recovery time. None of these three components seemed to vary consistently with the length of the code word (or the uncertainty of the symbol transmitted); instead, the relevant factors seemed to be stage of practice and distinctiveness of the stimuli (or responses). Finally, it appears that college students can achieve a rather high rate of decoding in a short period of time with a small message ensemble, whole presentation, and verbal report. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0605666
Entities
People
- Bennet B. Murdock Jr.
- Edina C. Oldham
Organizations
- University of Vermont