Navigational Checking: A Model of Elevation Angle Effects, Image Complexity, and Feature Type.

Abstract : This study sought to examine the effects of different manipulations of map displays on the task of navigational checking. It was hypothesized that the latency associated with egolocation determination was not governed by a function of the angular disparity, as traditional mental rotation studies ascribe, but by a function of the sin of the angles involved. Therefore, the primary independent variable of interest was the amount of difference between the sin of the elevation angles of the map and the sin of the elevation angles of the Forward Field of View (FFOV). Additionally, the effects of complexity and feature type (defined by man-made vs. natural) were also investigated. A same/different paradigm was employed as subjects compared realistic navigation scenes presented on a computer screen to simulate the electronic 'map' and a large projector screen to simulate the 'FFOV'. The dependent measures were response time and accuracy. Significant main effects were found for the sin disparity of the map and FFOV, complexity, and feature type. Significant interactions were found for sin disparity and feature type, and complexity and feature type. Additionally, significant main effects of trial type (same or different) and a significant interaction with complexity were investigated in an effort to examine subject search strategy. Conclusions were made based upon the findings and their implications for the design of 3-D electronic maps.