The effect of scrolling, hierarchically paged displays and ability on fault diagnosis performance

Abstract

There are considerable problems in displaying complex systems by means of computer technology. One of these is how to present large amounts of information in an intelligible manner. Advantages, on the other hand, may be found in the novel way that information can be presented. This paper is concerned with both of these issues in relation to fault-finding behaviour.

Performance using four types of display was compared for computer-generated network fault diagnosis tasks. One of these showed the network in its entirety. The others related to larger networks which could be seen through three restricted window displays. These were: a scrolling and two hierarchical displays. One of the hierarchical displays was enhanced by including, in an overview page, information concerning the lower levels. The results indicated the superiority of the enhanced display, especially for subjects of lower initial ability. Previous reports of a reduction in the variation between subjects' testing efficiency, when diagnosing faults via restricted windows, were not confirmed. Unlike previous research, a significant improvement in the mean level of quality of diagnosis was found when subjects used the restricted window displays for fault diagnosis.

Keywords:

• HCI
• Information display
• Fault diagnosis

Additional information

Notes on contributors

DAVID L. MORRISON

Current address: Department of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Western Australia.