Multimedia, mental models and complex tasks

With the emergence of relatively cheap multimedia delivery systems incorporating bitmapped graphics and high fidelity continuous audio aiid video, there is an increasing need for the user interface designer to be informed in their choice of output media for a particular task. Our research is investigating the affect of different media on the formulation of mental models in the solution of complex tasks. The guiding principle is to understand why one medium has an advantage over another in a given task context. To do this one must examine how these media are utilised by the user. An experiment is outlined which will investigate this.