Presentation and Representation in Design Problem Solving.

Abstract

Two experimental studies of design problem solving are presented. Eighty-one subjects worked on one of two design problems that were isomorphic in structure: a schedule for stages in a manufacturing process or a layout for a business office. In Experiment 1, a difference between problem isomorphs is obtained: the 'spatial' office layout problem obtains better performance and shorter solution times than the 'temporal' scheduling problem. In Experiment 2, this difference attenuates when subjects are provided with a graphic representation in both isomorph conditions. The availability of a graphic representation is discussed as an aid for procedural design. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 03, 1978
Accession Number
ADA071695

Entities

People

  • Ashok Malhotra
  • John C. Thomas
  • John M. Carroll

Organizations

  • IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center

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  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

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  • Computers
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  • Manufacturing
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  • New York
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  • United States
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  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis