The Effectiveness of Redundant Color-Coding on Search and Identification in a Process-Control Task,
Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of redundant color codes and monochrome shape codes for coding the operational states of scanpoints displayed on a CRT-displayed process-control diagram. Response-times were faster with color-coding than with shape-coding, and this relationship generally held true across all levels of display density and inspection load, with both search and identification tasks. Also, color-coding mitigated the detrimental effects of increased density and load. Coding did not affect response-accuracy on the search task, but on the identification task more errors were produced with shape-coding. Although density and load had no effect on accuracy in the identification task, maximal density and load reduced accuracy in the identification task, maximal density and load reduced accuracy in the search task. In terms of subjective preference, color-coding was superior to shape-coding on a wide range of variables, and resulted in fewer frontal headaches of following computer trials. It was concluded that redundant color-coding was superior to monochrome shape-coding given the present task conditions, but that the decision to choose color over other attributes should be based upon a consideration of operator requirements, illumination factors and display parameters. Canada. (jhd)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA207591
Entities
People
- Donald C. Turner
- Rebecca M. Jubis
Organizations
- DRDC Toronto