Gabriel K. Rousseau

WARNING RESEARCH: AN INTEGRATIVE PERSPECTIVE

We developed an integrative perspective on the empirical evidence supporting the influence of particular variables on the warning process based on a broad review of the warning literature. The warning process is described in terms of the following four components: notice, encode, comprehend, and comply. Relevant variables are classified as person variables (characteristics of the individual interacting with the warning) and warning variables (characteristics of the warning itself or the context in which the warning appears). This integrative perspective yields general principles about the variables that influence the warning process and serves as a resource for warning developers and as a guide to facilitate effective analysis of warnings. We also identify aspects of the warning process that are not well understood, directions for effective methods of intervention, and a research agenda for future efforts. Actual or potential applications of this research include improving the design of warnings.

Influences of general computer experience and age on library database search performance

Two experiments examined the effects of general computer experience and age on library system search performance among novice library system users. Twenty younger adults (10 with high and 10 with low computer experience) and 20 older adults (10 with low and 10 with no computer experience) performed 10 search tasks of varying difficulty. Search success, syntax errors, database field specifications, keyword specifications, and use of Boolean operators were examined. Among younger novices, high computer experience was associated with slightly better performance than low computer experience. Among older novices, having some computer experience was associated with much better performance than no computer experience. Older computer users showed lower overall success rates, made more syntax and field specification errors, and demonstrated poorer understanding of Boolean logic and keyword matching algorithms than younger adults with similar computer experience. Implications for interface design and training interventions for novice on-line library system users are discussed.

Designing warnings to compensate for age-related changes in perceptual and cognitive abilities

A variety of individual difference variables affect whether or not someone notices, encodes, comprehends, and complies with a warning. Failures at any of these stages reduce the effectiveness of warnings. Development of effective warnings must be based on understanding the characteristics of the product user. As the population grows older, consideration of age-related changes in perceptual and cognitive abilities becomes more relevant to the warning designer. For example, aging researchers have identified a variety of changes in the visual system (e.g., acuity, contrast sensitivity, and color discrimination) and cognitive function (e.g., working memory and reading comprehension). By considering the abilities of the product user, the impact of these age-related changes may be minimized. The goal of this article is to describe findings from research on aging and to make recommendations about how designers can increase the effectiveness of warnings for the older adult.

Assessing the usability of on-line library systems

Computer-based library systems are becoming pervasive throughout public and university libraries. The purpose of the present study was to survey the users of a representative system to assess the degree to which they used the systems functionality, their difficulties with the system, and their experiences learning the system. The majority of the 966 users of the system made limited use of the more advanced system commands and had difficulty understanding how the system works. Importantly, many of the users reported remotely accessing the system, which has implications for the development of training and help systems. The data from the survey are interpreted in the context of suggestions for design and training improvements for library on-line systems.

Computer usage patterns of university faculty members across the life span

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine age-related trends in computer utilization. Faculty members at a southeastern university completed a questionnaire regarding their use of computers in general and a specific computer application, the on-line library system at the campus library. The 521 respondents were divided into four age groups (ages 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, and 55–64 years). At least 90% of each age group reported using computers weekly or more, but older faculty members did not use as many different computer applications as the younger cohorts. All age groups were equally familiar with the on-line library system, but the older respondents reported being less comfortable using it. The older faculty members appeared to be selective in the computer applications they used and were interested in receiving training on the library system. There was little evidence that these older individuals were avoidant of new technology. The results are discussed in light of common stereotypes of older adults and their technology utilization.

Online Library Catalogs: Age-Related Differences in Query Construction and Error Recovery

Online library catalogs have become pervasive in todays library. Unfortunately, these systems have been developed by computer programmers or librarians with little analysis of user behavior on the system. The present study compared the search performance of younger and older adults with general computer experience who were novice online catalog users on a set of ten search tasks of varying difficulty. This study examined types of errors made by novice users in database query construction and subsequent error recovery. Younger adults achieved a higher overall success rate than did older adults and were more efficient in performing these searches. Older adults made more query construction errors and recovered from them less efficiently than did younger adults. These data have important implications for identifying the specific needs, limitations, and capabilities of online library catalog users and the design of online library catalog systems for adults of differing ages.

Training New Technology: Automatic Teller Machines and Older Adults:

The purpose of the present study was to assess the benefits of providing on-line training for an automatic teller machine (ATM). An ATM simulator was developed for the study, and older adults (65-80) served as the subjects. Subjects were assigned to one of two conditions. Half of the subjects were given a written description of how the ATM worked. The other half went through an on-line tutorial, which showed them how to perform transactions on the simulator. After performing 30 transactions on the simulator, subjects were transferred to a new ATM simulator that was topographically different. The subjects who received the on-line tutorial performed more transactions correctly during acquisition, and were better able to transfer their skills to a different ATM simulator and to novel transactions.

The Relevance of Cognitive Aging Research to Warning Label Design

A variety of individual difference variables affect whether someone notices, encodes, comprehends, and complies with a product warning label. Failures at any of these stages reduce the effectiveness of warnings. Development of effective warnings must be based on understanding the characteristics of the product user. As the population grows older, consideration of age-related changes in perceptual and cognitive abilities becomes more relevant to the warning designer. Aging researchers have identified a variety of declines and changes in vision (e.g., acuity, contrast sensitivity, and color discrimination) and memory (e.g., working memory and prospective memory). By considering the abilities of the product user, the impact of age-related changes may be minimized. Based on cognitive aging research and theory, we will make recommendations about how designers can increase the effectiveness of warnings for older adults.