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Nameset constitution and text-editing performance: Mixing general and specific command names within a set.
Authors:
MacLean, A., Barnard, P. & Hammond, N.
Reference:
IBM Hursley Human Factors Laboratory Report, No. HF138.
Year of publication:
1989
CBU number:
2470
Abstract:
The study reported in this paper examines the effect on text-editing performance of command sets made up from different combinations of specific and general commands - dimensions which have been extensively studied in the HCI literature. In many respects, the results are comparable with earlier findings. Learning curves are broadly similar; overall levels of performance are comparable; correlations with individual differences tell the same story (but the role of intelligence in determining individual differences is clarified). However, most crucially, when detailed comparisons are made between mixed specific and general command sets and "pure" specific and general sets, levels of performance are not intermediate as would be expected by the most obvious account. Instead performance is close to that observed in pure specific command sets. An account is given which focuses on the cognitive resources required for the resolution of name-operation mapping within the set as a whole to adequately understand performance.
