Data Entry Times for Navy Tactical Information Displays.
Abstract
The Menu and Page methods of data entry and display format are candidates for possible use on a cathode ray tube (CRT) display on the Navy Tactical Data System. The Menu method presents all possible category choices at a given level of data hierarchy; the operator enters the number that corresponds to his choice of categories from the displayed 'menu' of choices. The Page method displays only a subset of possible choices at each level of the hierarchy. If the desired category does not appear, the operator sequences to the next 'page' of categories, until he finds the required category. Reaction time measures were used to assess the relative speed of data entry using six different types of problems in each of the two methods. Results showed that although each method took longer for problem types requiring deeper hierarchial structure, there was no difference in the methods themselves. There was a significant practice effect, which was also independent of method. Neither method was preferred by the operators. It is recommended that the 'page' method be pursued since it makes more efficient use of CRT screen area. Further, the method can be improved by organizing the categories so that more frequently occurring itmes appear on earlier 'pages'. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA078582
Entities
People
- Larry A. Friedman