A Detailed Analysis of Task Performance With and Without Computer Monitoring

Abstract

Participants (N = 115) performed a computerized task under 3 conditions: no supervision, direct human supervision, and computer monitoring. Differences in performance across groups was evaluated using summary performance measures and detailed analyses of group performance over time. There was a statistically significant difference in performance quality but not performance quantity between the groups. The nonmonitored and computer-monitored groups had higher quality of performance compared with the direct human supervision group. Performance varied when examined in detail at different points in time during the experimental task. Together the results suggest that direct human supervision motivated participants but that participants in the other 2 groups were more sensitive to varying task demands.