A Comparison of Graphical User Interface Widgets for Various Tasks

The purpose of the present study was to compare user performance, accuracy and preference while using standard user interface controls or “widgets” to complete specific types of tasks. Radio buttons were significantly faster, accurate, and preferred than any outer widget for the mutually exclusive selection tasks. For the non-mutually exclusive selection tasks, check boxes were significantly faster and preferred. These widgets were superior due to the fact that all possible options were initially visible. As the number of options increased, the time to complete each task also increased. A practitioner's table for selecting effective widgets for specific types of tasks is provided. Further implications for user interface design and research are discussed.

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