Are Two Better Than One? A Comparison Between Single- and Dual-Monitor Work Stations in Productivity and User’s Windows Management Style

ABSTRACT

Multiple monitors are commonly used in the workplace nowadays. This study compares user productivity and windows management style (WMS) on single- and dual-monitor work stations for engineering tasks of three complexity levels. Four productivity measures including task time, cursor movement, the number of window switches, and the number of mouse clicks were compared. The results showed that dual-monitor setting resulted in significantly less window switches and mouse clicks. Most users preferred dual-monitor setting. To understand how users manage multiple windows in completing their tasks, a new WMS categorization method is proposed, toggler and resizer, and user behavior was categorized into one of these two styles. More users adopted “toggler” style, but as the task complexity level increased, some “toggler” style users switched to “resizer” style.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chen Ling

Chen Ling is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Akron. She has broad research interests in human systems integration and human–computer interaction in complex systems. She is a member of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Alex Stegman

Alex Stegman is an industrial engineer at the Federal Aviation Administration. He graduated from the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Science degree. He has experience in human factors analysis, logistics system analysis, and process improvements.

Chintan Barhbaya

Chintan Barbhaya is a plant manager at Cameron International Corporation on Valves and Measurement in Oklahoma City. He graduated from the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Science degree. He has broad experience in human factors, process improvements, and lean manufacturing.

Randa Shehab

Randa L. Shehab is Professor and Director of the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Oklahoma and co-Directs the Master of Science program in Data Science and Analytics. She works in a multidisciplinary research group investigating factors related to equity and diversity in engineering students.