Mental Models and Ecological Interface Design: An Experimental Investigation

We studied the impact of Ecological Interface Design (EID) displays on mental models using the DURESS II simulator. To assess mental models we used a card sorting exercise, a network building exercise based on the Abstraction Hierarchy, and a system behavior prediction exercise. Participants in the EID condition performed significantly better on the card sorting and network building exercises, but poorer on the prediction exercise. Our results are mixed, suggesting that EID may improve the understanding of means- end links and yet, not improve the ability to predict system behavior. The relatively limited experience of participants with the interface as well as our selection of knowledge elicitation techniques may have influenced these results. More research is needed to fully evaluate the impact of EID on mental models.

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